Opinions on mesh pad for random-orbit?

[Madmaxnkitty]

Hi Folks,

I make end-grain cutting boards, and working out the 120-grit striation from the drum-sander with my 5" random-orbit is such a chore. I'm thinking either a grit coarser than 80 on the RO, or maybe a pad that doesn't load as quickly, hence the question; what's the opinion of the room on those abrasive-mesh pads?


Thanks!

 

[Martin Roper]

I've used the Diablo SandNet discs on my 5" ROS and they work quite well. They might be a little longer-lasting than paper discs, but the biggest advantage is they don't load up nearly as badly as paper discs especially the finer grits.

I recently got a Rotex 150 and I bought a bunch of Klingspor paper discs for it, but then I saw the 3M Xtract Cubitron II net discs and I want to try those. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

They have sample packs of different grits in both 5" and 6" to try them out.

 

[beloitdavisja]

Came here to post the exact video Martin did. really great comparison. I have the Diablo mesh, and they work well, much better than the cheapo clothbacked ones I was using. When that stash runs out, I'll be trying the Cubitron

 

[Madmaxnkitty]

Good, straight to the Cubitron then!

 

[dino drosas]

Forget everything else. The new 3M Etract (cubitron blend) is far better than anything else I have ever tried. I bought 5 of the sample packs and will never buy anything else after trying it. "TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT"

 

[Echd]

Yeah, that cubitron 2 stuff is stupidly good, and not that expensive either. There isn't a lot of reason to use other brands on a ROS imo.

 

[Madmaxnkitty]

Done and done! I ordered a sampler of the 3M Xtract Cubitron II discs (what a name!) and a 220-grit drum wrap...we'll see.

 

[Tarhead]

Better use a spacer between the net abrasive and your mounting pad. The net is thinner than the hooks on the mounting pad and they wear off. Some companies include one in the box. Others you'll need to supply one.

 

[Roger45]

Tarhead where do you get the spacer for the net abrasive pads. I like the Cubitron but if I don’t keep it 100% on the wood they fly off

 

[mdbuntyn]

@Roger45 You can get them at Klingspor's

Search

www.woodworkingshop.com

 

[Oka]

The one issue I have experienced with all mesh is it will lose grit if you sand over edges pretty quick. So Solid paper for that detail stuff seems to work better for me on edge work.

But ......... Cubitron is awesome no doubt.

 

[Madmaxnkitty]

I ordered a backer to go with the Cubitron, so we'll see how much that helps. Should I also be looking for a more aggressive sander? It occurs that I'm just using a basic Dewalt 20v RO; is the difference academic without a 'proper' 5 mil 6" unit?

 

[Henry W]

The one issue I have experienced with all mesh is it will lose grit if you sand over edges pretty quick. So Solid paper for that detail stuff seems to work better for me on edge work.

But ......... Cubitron is awesome no doubt.

well that's a detail I had not heard before - hmmm?!? Since I know that I do that (sand over the edges) a lot, this may not be the product for me.
Thanks Casey - good to know that.

 

[Oka]

Cubitron makes a paper version, I use that if I am doing a bunch of edgy stuff. It has small holes in it but it holds up better. Also, the extra pad that comes with the larger packages of the 3m or Diablo may help in mitigating this.

well that's a detail I had not heard before - hmmm?!? Since I know that I do that (sand over the edges) a lot, this may not be the product for me.
Thanks Casey - good to know that.

 

[Martin Roper]

well that's a detail I had not heard before - hmmm?!? Since I know that I do that (sand over the edges) a lot, this may not be the product for me.
Thanks Casey - good to know that.

A sample pack of the 5" stuff is only $9 on Amazon, cheap enough to see how well it works for you. It has two each of 80, 120, 180, 220, 240, & 320 grit.

 

[Tarhead]

Tarhead where do you get the spacer for the net abrasive pads. I like the Cubitron but if I don’t keep it 100% on the wood they fly off

You probably need a new H&L sander pad plus the spacer pad: Klingspor sells different configurations. "Net" Protection Pad 6" D150/2 2 Pack

 

[kevin waldron]

I've personally used a lot of random orbital sanders when we owned and operated a musical Instrument building business. Discovered along the way that there is a tremendous difference in orbital machine patterns, orbital machine speeds and size of the head. Might I suggest trying another brand of sander. If you've got a lots of sanding a pneumatic sander will give far better performance and again the patterns and the speed of the orbits makes huge difference in how much material is removed. The other factor is the quality of the sanding pads and the various chemicals used as the substrate to remove wood. There are a number of good quality sanding manufactures but in our determination the random orbiter tool was more important than the grits etc.

kw

 

["B"]

I've used the Diablo SandNet discs on my 5" ROS and they work quite well. They might be a little longer-lasting than paper discs, but the biggest advantage is they don't load up nearly as badly as paper discs especially the finer grits.

I recently got a Rotex 150 and I bought a bunch of Klingspor paper discs for it, but then I saw the 3M Xtract Cubitron II net discs and I want to try those. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

They have sample packs of different grits in both 5" and 6" to try them out.

3M Xtract Cubitron II net discs are AWESOME!! Long life & allow much of sanding dust through to the vac pick up! I use them whenever I can.