Cubitron II vs Cubitron Net

[Michael Fink]

Anyone try both the standard Cubitron and the net Cubitron and have an opinion one way or the other? The net version seems to be almost 1/2 the price, so I'm wondering if it's as good, could save some $$ buying that instead.

What I typically buy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MYU45IW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cubitron II Net:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098RLZPS8/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVh bGlmaWVyPUEyWjNRUzg2TkZPMVA0JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNT cxMDMwMUo2Rk9KNzJYQVQ3SyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODYz OTk0UjVSM0tCVFBZNjVCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfaHFwX3NoYX JlZCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNr PXRydWU&th=1

[Steve Eure]

I've never tried the standaard, but have tried and love the net. Sands fast, last a long time compared to other brands, and the dust extraction when paired with a vac is superb. As long as I'm able to buy the net, that's what I'll use from now on.

[Dennis Jarchow]

After seeing Jonathan Katz-Moses sandpaper shootout video on YouTube, I got a couple boxes of the Cubatron II Xtract net in 120, 150, and 220 this week. I have been sanding a bunch of cherry and I was amazed how fast they cut and how long they lasted compared to the Mirka Gold sheets I was using. They cost about the same as the Mirka gold paper disks. They are also quite a bit cheaper then the comparable Mirka Abranet disks (at least on Amazon).

[Dave Sabo]

Anyone try both the standard Cubitron and the net Cubitron and have an opinion one way or the other? The net version seems to be almost 1/2 the price, so I'm wondering if it's as good, could save some $$ buying that instead.

What I typically buy:


Cubitron II Net:



Be sure you factor in the interface pads that fit your sander into the cost. If you’re a skinflint and don’t , you’ll be really sorry when your sander’s main pad melts and you see the cost of replacing that.

Diablo SandNet is 99% as good according to that fella everyone likes to quote on the testing - except it often available on sale at the Depot for @ 40cents a disc in a variety pack. YMMV

[Kevin Jenness]

Diablo SandNet is 99% as good according to that fella everyone likes to quote on the testing - except it often available on sale at the Depot for @ 40cents a disc in a variety pack.

Actually more like 75% if you look at his figures (12:42 and 17:23 in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZDCRFi8dKY), but it was fairly high in the rankings and is readily available.

I use mesh abrasives between finish coats. Do the mesh backed products hold up as well for more aggressive raw wood sanding in lower grits?

I have been using Klingspor discs for some time and they are ok, but I plan to try out the 3M Cubitron the next time I need to restock.

[Dennis Jarchow]

Diablo SandNet is 99% as good according to that fella everyone likes to quote on the testing - except it often available on sale at the Depot for @ 40cents a disc in a variety pack.

Actually more like 75% if you look at his figures (12:42 and 17:23 in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZDCRFi8dKY), but it was fairly high in the rankings and is readily available.

I use mesh abrasives between finish coats. Do the mesh backed products hold up as well for more aggressive raw wood sanding in lower grits?


I haven't tried the Cubitron Xtract disks below 150 grit but did try the Mirka Abranet in 100 grit as a couple came in an assortment pack I got a few years back. I was levelling an mdf butt joint and since the joint wasn't flush it seemed like the edge was really hard on the fabric. I didn't have any noticeable issues when I used the lower grits on a flat surface.

[Michael Fink]

Be sure you factor in the interface pads that fit your sander into the cost. If you’re a skinflint and don’t , you’ll be really sorry when your sander’s main pad melts and you see the cost of replacing that.

Diablo SandNet is 99% as good according to that fella everyone likes to quote on the testing - except it often available on sale at the Depot for @ 40cents a disc in a variety pack. YMMV


Can you give some details on this? Do the cheaper Cubitron's (the net) need a special pad? An accessory? That would explain the difference in price, but I didn't see anything in the product material telling you to do anything beyond stick it to your hook and loop pad and have at it.

[Dennis Jarchow]

All of the mesh disks, diablo, mirka, 3m Extract etc. ideally need a backing pad to prevent the heat from sanding melting the velcro on your sander. I bought a pack of 5 Mirka ones several years ago and have only gone through 1 in 2 years.

[Michael Fink]

All of the mesh disks, diablo, mirka, 3m Extract etc. ideally need a backing pad to prevent the heat from sanding melting the velcro on your sander. I bought a pack of 5 Mirka ones several years ago and have only gone through 1 in 2 years.

Thank you for that, I've never used the mesh discs before, so wasn't aware of it. You're talking about something like this, right? Hook on one side, loop on the other, between the hard pad on the sander and the paper?

https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Sanding-Interface-28321-Diameter/dp/B007ZT8YG6/ref=sr_1_12?crid=25EW3XXY5NL2C&keywords=interfaCE+pad+5+inch&qid=1645926152&sprefix=interface+pad+5+inch%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-12

That may also explain the price difference between the two of them, the one I bought (around $1/sheet) appears, at least to me, to be just like the other paper I use, directly on the hook/loop attach point on my sander. The cheaper one is the "net" design. Don't know how long those backers last, but if you take the price of the paper PLUS the backer, they are much more comparable.

[Kevin Jenness]

As Dennis said, the interface pads last a long time, so the difference in cost per disc is real. I'm not sure why the film backed discs are so much more expensive.

[Dennis Jarchow]

https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Sanding-Interface-28321-Diameter/dp/B007ZT8YG6/ref=sr_1_12?crid=25EW3XXY5NL2C&keywords=interfaCE+pad+5+inch&qid=1645926152&sprefix=interface+pad+5+inch%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-12

That may also explain the price difference between the two of them, the one I bought (around $1/sheet) appears, at least to me, to be just like the other paper I use, directly on the hook/loop attach point on my sander. The cheaper one is the "net" design. Don't know how long those backers last, but if you take the price of the paper PLUS the backer, they are much more comparable.

The one you linked to looks like a soft foam version and pretty pricy for just one. The ones I use are these Mirka pads: Mirka 99528 Pad Protector - - Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XW7MKGA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) You get 5 for $22 and they last a long time.

[Michael Fink]

The one you linked to looks like a soft foam version and pretty pricy for just one. The ones I use are these Mirka pads: Mirka 99528 Pad Protector - - Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XW7MKGA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) You get 5 for $22 and they last a long time.

Thanks guys, looks like this is a good way to save some $$ on high quality sand paper. If the only difference between the net and paper backed is needing to use a pad protector, well.. For 1/2 the cost of the paper, seems like a no brainer!

[Tom M King]

I use the pad protectors for everything, regardless of the type of paper, or mesh.

edited to add: With that said, I did replace the pads on a 5" Bosch, and a 5" Milwaukee yesterday. The hook and loops were still good, but the high density foam parts above had died from old age.