the problem with the "best" sandpaper (& how to fix it cheap)

Great to know, but I have an old Porter-Cable random orbit sander. I'm not opposed to upgrading it at a reasonable price, but neither Festool nor 3M sanders are (for me) reasonable. So I'm left wondering... What do the common folk use?

GREAT VIDEO ... I learned plenty and thank you!! OH .. I FORGOT ... JOE BIDEN AMERICA NOW LOL!!!!!!!!!

500 dollar sander???????????????????? REALLY??????????????????????????????

OMG, thank you!

One problem I recently discovered with this sandpaper is that the grit comes off if the edges get damaged at all. I was sanding some cabinet doors (open frames for glass to be mounted) and when sanding near inside corners the paper would occasionally get wrinkled a bit. The tiny little bits of ceramic grit from the damaged edge of the paper got onto my black melamine workbench top and when I flipped the doors over to sand the other side, those little bits of grit got pressed into the wood and left tiny dents. This will necessitate a change in my workflow to make sure I either don't lay anything on the bench when sanding, or I have to find a way to lift pieces up and support them evenly so grit can't get trapped under them.

I went down this same road a couple of years ago and finally discovered the back pad solution. I think a big part of the problem is due to the lack of information provided by the manufactures of the sandpaper. The Diablo brand provides the backing pad with some of their papers. Seems simple, but if you don't know it can be very frustrating. Thank you for the video!

This vid turned the light on and helped me understand why my discs were not "sticking" to my sander! I wore the hooks out using net discs. Thanks so much!

Im way late to the party, but my surf prep came with a ton of great paper and came with 2 sanding protectors.

To be fair, on the inside of the systainer lid (on the RO150 at least) there is a list of all the sandpaper you can get, and for the net ones (festool granat net etc.) it explicitly states to use the protection pad. There are also order numbers for them on there. But no clue if this is exclusive to the RO150 or not.

Sounds like another reason not to get festoon! 😂😂😂

Just as an fyi for anyone curious. Diablo makes a net sanding pad and they include an “application pad” that works with festool sanders.

Fantastic! I was wondering what am I doing wrong and why the sand mesh does not stick to my brand new Festool sander.....going to order that protection pad right away.

Blessings kn an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏 Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. Thank you for wise counsels, teachings and witty inventions. Power tools included. Amen 🙏 Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. ❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍

Thank You! I always enjoy your content, and really appreciate this info as I'm experiencing the same issues. Keep it up.

The Xtract paper sticks fine on my 3M sander, but yes, you should be using the sacrificial a pad to save your backing pad

Thanks for the tip for the compatibility using the festool protection pad!
I work at a paint/hardware store and sell festool products, so i’ll be sure to pass on the knowledge 🤙🏾
Cheers

A little late to the video, but I noticed that with my Bosch sander, the 3M sanding net builds up sanding residue between the backing pad and sanding net, which effectively blocks part of the dust extraction. I've tried everything: cleaning my extractor, changing backing pads, using the 3M hook-it system, etc. I can't find a solution for this, and it's incredibly frustrating because now I have Xtract sanding nets that are unusable.

Mirka has the "pad saver" that will fit most sanders also.

Don’t press down hard or the heat will ruin the Velcro on the sander.

Mirka have this included with all machines !

I really enjoy the way your channel focuses on solutions to real world woodworking issues. You have saved me a lot of time and money.

Thanks for this! Like you said, NOBODY seems to talk about this.

So glad to have found this. The net discs were slipping off my festool as I was sanding . It caused all these marks … not the usual squiggles that I sometimes get but like a slight 1/3 moon. No matter what I did I kept getting them and this was a recent issue as I just started using these discs last month. Now I know why I kept getting those marks! I’ll be ordering these today!

I should’ve listened a long time ago. I don’t get excited about many things as far as tools and accessories. That being said, after sanding 4 serving trays with one disc, I am blown away. I really think I can sand 2 or three more. It sticks really good to my worn out backing pad for the Bosch Get65-5(Their Version of the Rotex). This truly is a game changer for me. I always bought cheap assortments because they have all the grits. It is totally worth getting the full line of grits. It will last way longer than all those assorted packs

Nah that 3m purple is crap. Norton meshpower all the way

Dude. I was having this exact attachment issue. Thank you!

I have had the Mirka Ceros and the Mirka Deros and thy have the same problem, then i used the protectionpad, but after a while the same problem accurd. So that is not working also (for me).

Thank you!!!!!

Blame 3M for confusing trademarks.
Xtract = The name of a sander, a net disk, and a dust collector.
Hookit = film disks, but not net disks, despite both having loops and not hooks.
Net disk = net disk.

Yeah they left the backing plates out to help assist with the main purpose of these brands of sanders, it completely hinders the sanders ability to separate you from your money if you don’t wear down the plates.

huh, weird. my cheap harbor freight orbital doesn't have this issue. i wonder why the out of the box hook and loop on the festool is uncooperative.

3M Cubitron is a ceramic based grain. When it breaks down the edge round over, and it leaves deeper and uglier scratches than conventional Aluminium Oxide paper. Once you paint after using Cubitron you will need 2-3 layers of lacquer. Try Sia 1950 paper, better consistency and finish.

Thanks for the tip, great solution!

Diablo sandpaper also has these in Their packs of sandpaper and that’s what I use for my Milwaukee sander with the cubitron. I feel like it works well. Not perfect but good.

I have sacked off all net sanding to frustrating. All i use is trend sanding discs they cut well last a long time and dont ruin you sanding backing pad

Interesting. Thanks!

Good to know. 👍

Great video, I thought I was doing something wrong too for months.

I have an Einhell (~40USD) orbital sander, I have no issues with attaching the 3M Cubitron sanding disks.

it has 4 problems, its not the best

Loved your information. Why don't they make it for 9"?

Thanks man! So helpful

You never mentioned mirka

Of course there is a reason they do not give you a protection pad (or even tell you they exist), It is the same reason they do not make the fittings universal fit. it's because the company only cares about maximising profits for shareholders, they want you to spent $50 on a new vacuum pad rather than $6 on a protection pad. It's just capitalism. As long as people keep buying their (very overpriced) products and accessories, they will keep raping your wallet.

Are those polishing tools pneumatic or electric? It kinda looks like an air intake on the back there.

Love the sandpaper - hate the hook and loop. Thank you so much for publishing this tip. I agree, there should at least be a notice in the box about these things.