3M SandBlaster Flexible Sanding Pads

(Think of the rubbery, woven, pad some woodworkers use to keep a workpiece from sliding when routing or sanding.) The result is the SandBlaster Flexible Sanding Pad: an abrasive that conforms nicely to contours. To make the cloth-backed part more flexible, practically invisible laser cuts snake through the backing. The effect is similar to scoring a tough piece of meat to tenderize it. How well does it work? After routing round-overs and an ogee edge profile on an oak project, I sanded those curved surfaces with a Flexible Sanding Pad. I also used the pad to sand the broad, flat surfaces of the project, and it did a good job of smoothing planer knife marks. The abrasive sanded evenly and left a finish more like 150 grit than the 120 grit it’s labeled as. The sanding surface never loaded up, and when it was done, a couple of quick taps cleaned the pad so well, it looked like it was never used. 3M’s product literature says the Cubitron abrasive lasts seven times longer than ordinary sandpaper. I couldn’t confirm that number, but I've used the same pad for several days now, and it feels like it still has a long life ahead of it. —Tested by Steve Feeney