3M™ Cubitron™ 3 Cut-Off Wheel

3M™ Cubitron™ 3 Cut-Off Wheel is a high-performance cutting disc designed to slice through metal faster, last longer, and run cooler than conventional cut-off wheels. Powered by 3M’s latest Precision-Shaped Grain technology, this wheel continuously fractures into sharp cutting points, enabling it to cut cleanly with less force and heat.

Fast-Cutting Wheels with Long Life for Sheet Metal and Pipe Cutting

It’s engineered for speed and durability – capable of cutting sheet metal, steel tubing, exhaust pipes, clamps, and even rusted bolts with ease. Compared to the previous generation Cubitron™ II wheels, the Cubitron 3 cut-off wheel offers up to 40% longer life and can remove up to 40% more material in the same amount of time. That means fewer wheel changeovers and more cuts per wheel, boosting your productivity and reducing downtime.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Specialized Cutting Design: This wheel is made for making perpendicular cuts using its outer edge, giving you the ability to quickly cut through a variety of metals. It’s ideal for tasks like slicing autobody or marine sheet metal, stainless steel tubing, exhaust pipes, clamps, rusted fasteners, and more. If you need a clean, straight cut in metal, this wheel’s design provides the stability and precision to achieve it.

  • Faster Cut Rate: The Cubitron 3 cut-off wheel cuts up to 10% faster than 3M Cubitron II wheels in 3M’s performance tests. The abrasive grains are super sharp and wear evenly, so the wheel requires less pressure from the operator and slices through metal quickly. This enhanced speed helps shorten job times and reduce physical effort for each cut.

  • Extended Wheel Life: Thanks to improved grain bonding and the self-sharpening PSG technology, this wheel removes significantly more material before wearing out. It can achieve up to 3× the material removal of a Cubitron II wheel in equivalent applications. In practice, users experience dramatically longer wheel life, translating to fewer stops to switch wheels and lower cost per cut.

  • Cooler, Cleaner Cuts: The wheel’s fast, efficient cutting action means less friction and heat buildup during cutting. It tends to run cooler than conventional alumina or zirconia wheels, reducing heat discoloration on stainless steel and minimizing burrs or warping. Cutting with less heat also helps preserve the metallurgical integrity of high-strength steels.

  • Smooth & Easy Handling: 3M has optimized the balance and construction of the Cubitron 3 wheel to give it a smoother action and less vibration than typical cut-off discs. The wheel cuts with less chatter, which means less strain on the tool and the operator. This smooth cutting can improve accuracy and reduce user fatigue, especially in extended cutting tasks.

  • Next-Gen Precision Grain: At the heart of this wheel is 3M’s re-engineered Precision-Shaped Grain, a proprietary ceramic mineral technology. The grains fracture into sharp points rather than rounding off, so the wheel stays sharp and aggressive over its life. This ensures consistent high performance from the first cut to the last. The PSG also contributes to the wheel’s cooler running and longer life versus conventional abrasive wheels.

High-Performance Cutting for Industry

The Cubitron™ 3 Cut-Off Wheel is built for the demands of industries like manufacturing, automotive repair, oil and gas, shipbuilding, and general metalworking. Its ability to cut through tough alloys and thick metals makes it a go-to solution for jobs where lesser wheels would slow down or wear out quickly. For example, automotive body shops find it excels at cutting high-strength steel panels and removing spot-welded sections, all while reducing technician effort and improving turnaround time. In maintenance and metal fabrication settings, it’s perfect for trimming pipe, cutting threaded rod, slicing bolts or rebar, and fabricating metal parts – delivering straight, burr-minimized cuts that often need less secondary finishing.

One of the standout advantages of the Cubitron 3 wheel is how long it lasts even in harsh conditions. If you’re cutting thick stainless steel or making numerous cuts in succession, you’ll notice this wheel just keeps going. Fewer wheel changes not only improve productivity but also enhance safety (since each change carries some risk and downtime). By switching to Cubitron 3, operators can spend more time cutting and less time changing discs, which can significantly improve workflow in production environments.

Usage Tips for Best Results

To maximize the performance of the 3M Cubitron 3 cut-off wheel, it’s important to use the right tools and techniques. Pair this wheel with a powerful, high-RPM angle grinder (electric or pneumatic) that can maintain speed under load. The wheel is designed to perform even better at higher speeds, so a grinder that doesn’t bog down will allow you to harness its full cutting potential. Always use the correct wheel guard and never exceed the maximum RPM printed on the wheel for safety.

When cutting, let the wheel do the work – minimal pressure is needed thanks to the sharp PSG grains. A light, consistent feed will achieve the fastest cut and keep the temperature low. Avoid jamming or twisting the wheel in the cut; this wheel is rigid but as with any cut-off disk, side-loading can cause breakage. With proper technique, you’ll notice the Cubitron 3 wheel cuts straight and clean with very little spark stream compared to others, indicating how efficiently it’s cleaving the metal (less energy wasted as heat).

Backed by over a century of 3M’s expertise in abrasives and metalworking innovation, the Cubitron™ 3 Cut-Off Wheel represents the pinnacle of cutting technology. It enables you to tackle tough cutting jobs faster and more efficiently, without compromising on the quality of the cut. From a small fab shop to a large-scale production line, upgrading to Cubitron 3 wheels means boosting productivity, reducing operator fatigue, and getting more cuts done per wheel. It’s truly a cutting solution designed for professionals who demand the best from their tools

The Science of 3M™ Precision-Shaped Grain: Increases Productivity & Lowers Overall Grinding Costs

3M™ Re-Engineered Precision-Shaped Grain

Uses 3M microreplication technology to form sharp peaks that easily “slice” through metal-cutting cooler, faster and lasting longer than conventional abrasive grain.

Conventional Ceramic Abrasive Grain

Tends to “plow” through the metal, causing heat to build up in the workpiece and the abrasive – resulting in a slower cut and shorter abrasive life.