▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR IMPORTANT INFO▼ ★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★ 3M Xtract CUBITRON II sanding discs: lddy.no/19fdf *The mesh are my favorite, but the purple discs with the spiral of holes are great too! Just try one pack and see the difference! 3M Professional Sander: lddy.no/19fcc *Taylor Tools is a small, family owned business that is a sponsor of our videos, including this one.* Please visit them through this affiliate link for any tool purchase: lddy.no/s80f *My table saw and other great shop machines are from Harvey Woodworking Machinery: www.harveywoodworking.com/ *Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!* (If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission) *Some other useful links:* -More videos on our website: stumpynubs.com/ -Subscribe to our e-Magazine: stumpynubs.com/browse-and-subscribe/ -Check out our project plans: stumpynubs.com/product-category/plans/ -Instagram: instagram.com/stumpynubs/ -Twitter: twitter.com/StumpyNubs ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★ -123 Blocks: lddy.no/vpij -Mechanical Pencils: amzn.to/2PA7bwK -Lumber pencil: amzn.to/2QtwZjv -Pocket Measuring Tape: amzn.to/2kNTlI9 -Irwin Drill Bit Gauge: amzn.to/2AwTkQg -Nut/Bolt/Screw Gauge: amzn.to/2CuvxSK -Self-Centering Punch: amzn.to/2QvbcrC -Self-Centering Bits: amzn.to/2xs71UW -Angle Cube: lddy.no/10nam -Steel Ruler: lddy.no/10mv7 -Utility knife: amzn.to/3nfhIiv -Center-Finding Ruler: lddy.no/10nak -Bit & Blade Cleaner: amzn.to/2TfvEOI -Digital depth gauge: amzn.to/3mwRf2x -Wood Glue: amzn.to/3mqek6M -Spade Bits: amzn.to/3j8XPtD ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★ -Digital Caliper: amzn.to/384H1Or -Marking Gauge: lddy.no/10muz -Marking knife: lddy.no/10mv0 -Narex Chisels: lddy.no/sqm3 -Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: amzn.to/3y5HDOc -Mini Pull Saw: amzn.to/2UEHBz6 -Gent Saw: lddy.no/ss2x -Coping saw: amzn.to/2W7ZiUS -Shinwa Rulers: lddy.no/zl13 ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★ -Miter Saw: amzn.to/3gqIlQ8 -Jointer: amzn.to/3yc3gfZ -Planer: amzn.to/3mn6BGF -Router: amzn.to/3grD22S -Sander: amzn.to/3DdvD0Y -Cordless drill: amzn.to/3D9ZiIm -Brad nailer: amzn.to/3gsRkjH -Mini Compressor: amzn.to/3mvrmQr -Bladerunner: amzn.to/2Wl0TtJ -Jig Saw: amzn.to/3zetTBY -Scroll Saw: amzn.to/3gq9qDc -Multi-Tool: amzn.to/3muZuMi ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★ -Drill Bits: amzn.to/3B8Ckzh -Forstner Bits: amzn.to/3kk3wEI -Shop Vacuum: amzn.to/2Wkqnbl -Machine Setup Blocks: amzn.to/3gq7kDh -Counter-Sink Bit: amzn.to/37ZukUo -Featherboard: amzn.to/3DeqHsq -ISOtunes Hearing Protection (Save $10): bit.ly/3BHYdH7 (If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

Based on the title and thumbnail, I thought this was going to go over cool stuff to do with the discs AFTER changing them out, not just a deep dive into "you should use new and high quality sanding material"

One of the things I've admired about your videos is the excellent writing in the "scripts". Very clear, no excess verbiage. Also good clean production values in the video. Thanks for the high quality information!

The best (no kidding) woodworking advice I ever got is "Use sandpaper like someone else is paying for it."

I work at a 3M plant that makes this stuff, tbh it’s nice to hear that people like it

As a painting contractor who finishes a lot of log home interiors I go through several thousand sanding discs a year. It's not always easy to get my employees to replace sanding discs as often as they should. They are trying to keep my expenses down by getting as much as they can from each disc. I tell them that sandpaper is cheaper than labor and they should change discs as soon as they notice it isn't cutting as fast as a new one.

Not going to lie….. I needed this reminder.

Best way I found to save on sandpaper is use a hand plane or card scraper before sanding. It takes some practice but is faster, less small partical sawdust and much more pleasing to do.

A new sport has been invented: shooting sandpaper disks across the shop. If you hit a target (like a beverage can) you are the champion.

Great ideas! I squirrel worn sandpaper away, too. In a pinch I use them as finer grit papers. I also do modelmaking and model trains. Sanding belts make great roadways!

I'm reminded of a time I needed to take a rough edge off, and grabbed a sheet of sandpaper that had been sitting in the shop for years. all the grit wiped right off.

My company produces sandpaper and I approve of the videos message.

That is probably the most useful information I have heard this year.I will certainly be seeking these 3M discs for future projects.Many thanks.

After watching your video, I went on line and bought the CUBITRON sanding disc. These are amazing disc. I will never buy the disc from the big box stores again. Thank You so much for the advice.

Thanks James. Great advice. I switched to Curbitron discs 2 years ago. Wow, what a difference in performance, speed, and final product. Plus they last so much longer.

Thanks for all the tips, James! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

I absolutely the 3M Cubitron sandpaper. Best sandpaper I've ever used in the last 60 yers.

Thank you, James. I know that I've been guilty of doing just those errors. I'm very much hoping to get back in my shop. This has been a long cold winter and I'm more than ready to start building again.

Completely right about the cubitron paper, it's amazing

Wonderful information and definately worth the few seconds and pennies to put a new piece of sandpaper on. Thank you for sharing. Stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

Let's be real. Sanding is absolutely noone's favorite part of a project. It's probably most people's least favorite. However it's also a vital part of a quality project and thus unavoidable. To me those are exactly the places worth spending the extra bucks to skip through as fast as possible while not sacrificing quality, to get back to the parts I do enjoy.

I have to find some new shoes. Sanded the heck out of them as Stumpy said, now I can't walk in them anymore. LoL

Thanks James. You’re the best.

Maybe it's not most effective, but I tend to take worn out discs from the ROS and set them aside for the hand-sanding needed to break some edges, sand round-overs or get in tight spaces. They seem to have enough life left for that, and I toss those as soon as the next ROS disc is available.

Bring back the old backdrop. I miss the old tool racks.

Thanks for the tip Stumpy.

Thanks James, very good information about the sanding disc's . Thanks for sharing with us. Stay safe and keep up the good videos. Fred.

I watch a lot of the woodworking stuff on several platforms, having been around for a long time, often I have to voice disagreement about the content, oddly I don't seem to get to comment on your stuff. So endeavoring to budge the algorithm in the favor of reliable information I said this.

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

Always great info James! Another thing to note for this video... don't lean your DA sander up in the edge to dig in... you'll add small scallops on the piece because the edge is round. Keep the sander flat!

great tip about humidity. Cheers

New stumpy video just dropped woohoo!

Couldn’t agree more. 35 years building cabinets and houses.

This is the best information I've learned! Wow I've been pressing on the sander, being cheap trying to stretch paper. PS your shop is the nicest I've ever seen!!

Great information James, thanks for sharing.

Two comments. First, I started using Cubitron sanding disks about a year ago, and they are definitely a cut above (pun intended) any previous disks I have used. Second, I bought the new 3M orbital sander as recommended on the Stumpy Nubs channel last year and have found that it is without a doubt the best sanding tool I have ever used. I used to HATE sanding… but these two items have changed that. I just finished sanding a pair of hanging shelves I’ve been working on. I accomplished the job in less time and with less fuss (and far less sanding dust) than I would have thought possible.

1:39 - Perfect picture showing why hand sanding for the final pass is important. While everyone is looking at the really dark pigtails - look around all that. The entire board is covered in pigtails too, just lighter. In my opinion (from experience) not giving a hand sanding leaves the wood "muddy". Also - using worn sandpaper is NOT the same as using a finer grit.

Another great video with lots of helpful information thanks

Always a great amount of info, James. Thanks for the info and insights.

One thing to consider is scraping before sanding. Thanks for the great tips.

This sounds like propaganda from Big Sandpaper. You've gone to the dark side, Stumpy! (j/k, you're spot on about this)

I've learned the lesson to not try to be cheap multiple times. Between buying multiple versions of tools and finishes. I spent enough money trying to up my dowel game (landing on the DowelMax) that I could have just bought a Domino right off the bat. For some reason, I keep making these mistakes though. Definitely going to try out that 3M Xtract next time I need sandpaper though!

Thanks, good insight, guilty as charged, we be changing our ways.

You persuaded me. I've been looking for justification to change paper more often.

I'm one of those guys who has a new replacement pad for his sander due to overusing sandpaper in the past. No it's not been put on yet, I'm waiting for the old one to fully give up before I replace it. Once the old one just shoots disks across the shop, well then I will replace it lol.

Thanks for sharing!!!

The sanding cleaner block was a revelation to me. Especially on the belt sander.

If you use frequently the rubbery plastic sandpaper dressing to remove the dust, they last at least 20 times longer. This applies to discs belts orbital sanders and not forgetting sandpaper on a cork block. I’ve been doing this for decades as one came with my belt sander. Most sanding videos don’t include this simple money saver. I haven’t changed my edge sander belt for 6 months. In the past I have used an old belt on my edge sander to flatten the sole of a plane, and to rehone a notched chisel.

The tittle was misleading for me.

All good advice but do not forget that disks can be cleaned by rubbing a crepe block against them, cleans the disk for longer life. Been using them for 20 years, saved a fortune on all my sanding products.

Love your work 👍

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

This may sound odd, but I keep unbelievably worn down discs of 320 and use them to burnish things. It creates a shiny surface that leaves that same shine of applying a finish. Add a finish on top and it just looks so smooth and shiny. It was a total accident discovery, and I only use it on small things and you do it with only quick bursts of the sander.

I just picked up a random piece of well treated pine on the side of the road in my neighborhood. I saw exactly the pattern you showed of pig tail scratches. And low and behold you put out a video covering just that the very same day. I thought maybe the board was used as a shelf that carried many candles, because it vaguely resembles the wavy bottom of many glass candle holders.

I am probably on the other end, I change my disc all the time, maybe before the need it. Hooking my orbital sander up to a shop vac did wonders for the quality of the sanding.

Great advice. Thanks.

Love the advice!

Good argument for replacing disks before they're completely trashed. But I still don't know what pros do with their old sandpaper!

My dad used to help me from time to time and he would try to stretch a sanding pad as long as possible. I told him one day, here is how I want you to think about it. If I was paying you what do you think would cost me more per hour, paying you trying to get every last bit out of a pad or the cost of the pad? Now I don't want you to sand one little thing and throw it, but once you stop seeing a decent amount of dust production throw it and grab another. The $1ish it costs me to change the pad is more cost effective than paying you to try and get an extra door or 2 out that pad.

Great Info Cheers

Thanks for sharing that!

Another great video Maybe I’m a bit weird I actually like sanding it means I’m in the home stretch. But do not want to waist time. In process of moving my shop 700+ miles I was shocked at how much old sandpaper I’d squirrel away. It’s been over 2 years sense I’ve been able to use it can hardly wait!! 🎉

Brilliant!

I was really anticipating you "frisbee-ing" the worn out sanding disc. You have far more class and style than me!

Thanks

I find that if you buy sanding discs in large quantities, you'll feel less anxious about changing discs. "Huh, I only bought a 5 pack, I better make them last as long as possible!"

After i see the edges torched i cut them down to pie-shaped size for the oscillator. Think i got that tip from you. -U10

I like to hang on to the larger silica packets that come with large electrics to reuse in my storage containers and such. The nice ones come in a cloth bag.

I have a belt sander, two RO sanders and two finish (straight line) sanders. I’m gradually increasing my skill with using a smoothing plane and cabinet scrapers, and sanding much less now. If I sand at all, it’s usually just once with 220 grit or higher, and then just between coats of finish. Sanding is really the only part of a project that I don’t enjoy doing.

Just started using the mesh Cubitron disks last week… and holy crap. I was cleaning up some reclaimed wood and had previously been using Diablo disks, which are also pretty good imo. But the 3M disks would do in a single pass, what the Diablos took 3 to 4 passes to accomplish. It’s insane, you can damn near power carve with these things haha. 🤘🤘

I never thought about the affect of humidity on sanding disks. I've got a bunch on a shelf above my workbench that are curled up.

This is a timely video. I have a life size fiberglass cow that the paint is peeling and I have to sand the entire thing.

I use silica packets in storage boxes to keep humidity at bay.

My worn 3M Cubitron discs find a second life at my lathe, where small less worn sections can be used on small turning projects.

You have to go to Gettysburg abrasive sandpaper outlet . Great prices and the gals who work there are alot of fun .

Aye. I also tend to use a drawing blade whenever it makes sense to use it as an alternative. Less waste, less fine dust.

Save the small bags of silica that come in some product packaging and re-purpose them in the containers that you are keeping your sandpaper in, change them periodically to maintain their effectiveness and/or recharge them by putting them on a tray and place them in a recently used oven. You can also used the silica bags in your tool containers to keep the moisture from potentially causing 'rust' on metals and moisture out of electronics.

Absolutely True!

Never thought I would need a humidor for my sanding discs. HAHA!

I'm going to try those 3M pads. I've looked at the 3M sander & fell in love with how quite it is but my husband said I don't need a $500 sander 😔 so I'm stuck with my $90 DeWalt but its ok bc it's a really good sander for the money without being too cheap. I do need to get me those anti vibration gloves you showed on another video though those would really be nice to have for extended periods of sanding.

those uber cheap market ones hve the extra bonus feature - the velcro doesn't hold after some time, which helps with that replacement decision 😆🙃

Quick tip for cleaning sandpaper without compressed air: Use a painters brush (Or any big brush). It works really well!

I'm just learning so advice is welcome. I feel like my sandpaper disks are wearing out in about 10 minutes. I ordered in bulk off of Amazon.

I have been unable to find a supplier of the 3M Cubitron disks here in New Zealand and it is really expensive to import them due to shipping costs. I am currently restoring a 110 year old home and all of the trim wood is Rimu (a local hardwood), which is beautiful when polished and oiled, but at that age it is almost petrified, harder than nails, which bend when not pre-drilled. Sanding it takes a lot of disks, especially when they are a cheaper variety. I do envy you guys in the US who have ready access to all the equipment I see in these videos.

use them as pad beneath furniture to keep them from sliding in the floor

I keep all my discs and I'll throw them onto my sanding blocks, both homemade or not. Also I do stuff like add them to a shim for tight spaces, etc. I've learned my lesson with sanding, you can TELL. I'm doing a tabletop and I'll start on one corner, I will go with the grain back and forth and about 1/3 the way I switch discs. Do the middle 3rd, and the second 3rd. Also doing some overlap on previous. then at the end I do 1 new disc, but a faster pass over the whole thing. Then using some shop lights at each end I examine the surface and adjust. Also, if you use these 3m discs, you have to use a vacuum or dust collection. There is less surface area than say something like a gator or any of those big box stores so the dust collects. If you don't have dust collection, then you may want to use another type of disc, 3m makes 3 discs I like that have varying levels of mesh. You may think that sounds crazy but it's WAY faster than going slower waiting for the sand paper to cut, doing more passes. The difference is night and day to me now, I just didn't see it then, but I dare you to try it. Basically, the table I'm working on is 8 foot by 45" wide (walnut). Think about it this way, let's say you drop 2000$ USD on 150 BF of black walnut. Do you think I'm going to get worked up using 3-5 1.25$ Discs vs trying to spend MORE time working 1-2 discs because I'm trying to stretch it out? N O P E.

Pencil mark is a good gage on material removal and sand paper with a new paper depends on material and dimensions of work Great video go Wings lol

I usually scrub gently any coarse 40--120 sandpaper with a soft brass wire brush after using it and it prolongs its life for at least thrice. For finer grit, once they are clogged for 1st time they're done, just swap it

I changed to the 3m stuff and it's phenomenal and it's not that expensive where I get it, I'm in the uk and a box of 50 was £18

I appreciate your explanation but like the other guy said, I wanted to know what I could do with the used discs. I’m cheap! So I learned the hard way that cheap discs are actually more costly. But even though I swap out for fresh ones more frequently now, it pains me to just throw them away.

The 3M Cubitron IS the best bargain, due to it's prolonged life. If you have the spiral-hole pattern version (that was the first ones I got), you may find that the cotton backing turns to dust loooong before the grit wears out. I still have some of the original (spiral pattern) disks that I use in hand sanding. I can't get them to wear out. The new ("fractal" pattern) version is only about 50% grit- faced, and that seems to have adjusted the useful life so that front and back wear out about the same time. Check out the box instructions on the Cubitron. Mine says max ROS speed 12k, which is less than the max of my ROS.

I seen my new favorite sandpaper my boy blue told me about n see gotta see what he says to do with em. And OVER USE sandpaper 😆 I do only retire to a new one when I gotta make stuff disappear lol

Dang! In my country in my prefered hardware store the 3M cubitron are just $0.65 a piece and they are really the cheapest and by far much better than the other availabre options.

What do you use the old discs for? Drink coasters for your cold one, my friend, because you’ve earned it. 🍺

I love when I’m using my sander , go and remove the sanding disc , then get distracted and forget to put the new sanding disc on , can you say new sanding pad lol my ADHD costs me money 😂

Great tips. I’m guilty, I almost always stretch my use too far. In addition to flat work I also turn wood. I really like the mesh Abranet discs but am now having a hard time finding them in 2” sizes with the scalloped edges and in all the grit sizes. It’s also hard to find them in bulk. The typical pack is 10 discs. I’ve spent tons of time looking for places that have what I need but haven’t found a “one stop shop” yet. If you have any information that can help, I sure would appreciate it. Thank you

Great information. Lots of varying views on how long to use sandpaper. For instance Lyle Jameson advocates only using sandpaper once. I think that is a bit extreme. Others say use a grit until it stops cutting well and then use it as the next finer grit. I don't buy that one either. I do think most of your suggestions are the way to go. 👍I don't absolutely agree with anybody. 🙂.S. Off subject question. the fence you are using on the table saw for a router looks interesting. Can you point to any information you have about it? Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

Precisely EXACTLY why I had them transpose is into 3 phase electricity, for the new forest 1300mm dual header panel sander. I put my all my rotational vibratory sanders of the like into goodwill, plus this thing sands ANYTHING! I took almost an inch off my wife’s crock pot that’s 6 or 7 “subcontinental dark ones” too tall for her cupboard. I took a whole cm off the DVR to get in the cabinet hole. Lately I’ve been thinking on the heavier-set friend of my wife, she is always on about diet this and diet that and not being as small as she used to be... 😎

You know, to clean paper discs in a pinch a wire brush works great, but you can't go to town on it. Don't apply the brush with the sander on. Just keep the sander off, and brush with light light pressure and minimize using the brush as it is wire and can damage the paper quicker, but it works awesome if applied correctly especially with really gummy situations. I use sandnet from Diablo so I don't get the issue anymore. And the gummed up paper is shot so it's worth a try with the wire brush anyways.

I store my sanding discs in empty FrogTape containers...which offsets some of the cost increase over the cheaper tape.