Looking for some more shop roll, aka utility roll, abrasive cloth strip. Previously I've mostly gotten 3M 314D (maroon), which is plenty good and they still make it, but now I'm seeing one they call Blue Grit, #311T. It's the same J-weight cloth and similar in price, so what's the difference? Anyone tried it?

My main criteria for sanding cloth is long-lasting grit. Not loading up being secondary but also good. I don't like X-weight, too stiff, J-weight is about right.

Back when I was a full-timer, I was a connoisseur of abrasives, but now as a very-part-time guy I don't have my finger on the pulse of the abrasives world. I can say for sure, anyone reading this who's using generic stuff from the hardware store really should try some quality cloth like 3M or Klingspor. The grit just flies off the generics like it was quick-release. Treat yourself, you won't go back.

Open to any other brands that people have tried'n'liked.

EDIT: now I'm also seeing 3M-ite Elek-Tro-Cut (211K), comes in the same sizes and grits, same J-weight cloth, what's the deal with that stuff? And why does 3M make it so hard to find any info on which product is best for which uses?
They say But they say just about the same for 314D and 311T. Maybe "closed coat" is the distinguishing feature of Elek-Tro-Cut? (Man what a goofy name.)

3m has introduced some really good abrasives over the last decade, but I don't know if any of them are available as shop roll. I bought some 3m cubitron band filer belts and they are amazing.

I'm still nursing along with shop roll I bought from McMaster 15 years ago. It never seems to wear out. Pick up a piece from the floor and it still works. Maybe 3m made it, dunno

OK I pulled the trigger on some Blue Grit. This ebay seller offered 50 yards of 1-3/8" wide (odd width but OK) for $20 and free shipping, which seems like half or less of what it would cost from say MSC or Grainger. Oh right it's 220 grit, so kinda specialty, not your general-use utility roll. Most FBs use more say 80 grit than the fine stuff, unless you're prepping for chrome plating. I do like some fine cloth strip too, I have some 400g too and I do use it.

If you're interested, maybe put it in your Watch List and wait for the offer, or just offer $20 and see if he takes it. $23.09 is the asking if you don't want to wait for a discounted offer, so it's not a huge discount.

Or wait a while for my review, if you want to know what I think before you buy. But I have a vacation coming up so it might be a long time before I actually try it.

Anyway my guess is that it'll be about the same as the maroon stuff I'm familiar with. Too pessimistic? Maybe it'll blow my mind. At least I hope it's not worse than 314D

Maybe I'll order some Elek-Tro-Cut too for comparison, but then I'll have a lifetime supply of utility roll. Ah sure, it's cheap enough. Just talked myself into it.

The blue grit is better adhesive and claims to be waterproof. Basically I think it is a longer-lasting version of the standard maroon cloth.

Thanks, just what I was hoping to hear.

Longer lasting grit has the added advantage of not putting as much grit up your nose. Yes I should be wearing a mask when sanding, but I don't always.

Looking forward to trying it.

I want to see a video of you sanding so relentlessly with shop roll that you get grit up your nose.
With yakety sax.as background music

When I'm making a frame I use my dremel to sand a lot, I definitely should use a mask for that. I'll try to remember.

I've blown my nose after a lot of sanding and seen grit... Having a beard the whole "you should wear a mask" has a different level of cost (the shaving the beard) or a lesser ability to filter (beard hair isn't dense enough...) Andy (who is not looking forward to sanding off the burned down paint on a frame that really should be done today)

That's interesting, I generally use a 3M 6502QL mask with p99 filters, and I feel like I get pretty good protection against everything, even with a beard. Mark talked me into using a mask while brazing, and at least I don't get discolored nose discharge like I used to. And I always use it while using powered woodworking tools. I have pretty good dust detection because I'm an asthma sufferer and dust/smoke really messes me up. That's why I didn't think I needed a mask to braze, it didn't really affect me so much.

But I hate sanding, so maybe I don't do it enough to have a problem.

I see they have cubitron shop roll. I wonder if I can get my hands on any. It's 36 grit though. Interestingly, all of their shop rolls are for industrial/professional use only. They don't really say why.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/abra...s-rolls/cloth/

3m's site isn't the best, hard to find anything unless you know what you want ahead of time

I'd like to see a video of someone sanding with NO grit going up their nose. It's in a cloud that fills the room, so some is definitely going there unless you hold you breath or are a mouth-breather. Hey, I don't judge, no one's saying there's only one correct orifice to breathe through.

Most of the sanding I've done in my life was with no mask, so I'm not claiming to be a paragon there. But the snot on the kleenex tells the tale, and some of that cloud doesn't stop at the nose, it's getting to the lungs. So I guess we all should reach for the mask a bit more often.

At work though I sometimes had two Dynafiles on my bench, to save the time it takes to switch contact arms, 'cuz we were using them constantly. And the guys at the benches on either side of me had their Dynafiles going too. So there air could get a bit, well we measured it in feet of visibility, how far away could you see the boss coming <joke>.

The point being that the little sanding I do now in retirement is nothing compared to the cumulative abuse I've already done. The funny thing is, I can't tell if that's an argument for more mask wearing, or less?

Maybe I just don't use my shop roll energetically enough. I see some people that probably shoe-shined their frame with shop roll, and those people might kick up some dust.

Let us know how the new sandpaper works.

Our son is doing a metal fab program through high school and this year they required masks, safety glasses, gloves etc. I took the opportunity to get myself a mask. Now I just need to use it. Smelling and tasking sanding dust (Alum Oxide, brass and steel) all night is probably a good indicator that a mask should be worn.

Looking forward to a review of the blue grit. I still have a couple rolls of Pferd that I got from Hardwicks. I'm sure it will last me another few years but, it's good to plan ahead - my wife says.

Wow, this ebay seller has Blue Grit 180J, 1-1/2" wide, 50 yards for $35 which I thought was a decent price, but then he emailed me an offer at $15 and free shipping. I bought one, but he has 6 more. Make him an offer, or just put it in your Watchlist and see if he gives you the same price?

That's really wide. What do you use it for? I have 1/2" and 1" shop roll. I'll admit I mostly use the 1" though

I use it for fillet finishing and often tear length-wise so 1-1/2" might be perfect.

I use it for fillet finishing and often tear length-wise so 1-1/2" might be perfect.