Tracie,
The hook and loop pads on ROS's do wear out. I replaced the ones on my Porter Cable sanders a couple years ago. They were very easy to replace. 3 screws and it was off. A quick Google search shows a five inch 8 hole replacement pad is about $20 dollars.

Gary

 

The hooks on the pads wear out and that's normal, if I understand what you are saying.
Replacement pads are available.

 

Like what was said above, you can get replacement pads, as for a replacement sander I am going to drop a word here now but hear me out… Festool. dont run away! lol I recently replaced my makita ros with a Festool ETS 125 EQ and I love it! cost is around $200.00 which isnt too much extra compared to a makita, DeWalt or Porter Cable ros. And I have noticed my sanding disks have lasted longer too, watch a youtube video on Festool sanders and that will explain why their pads have less heat and gunk build up. It comes with a bag as well so you dont need a Festool vacuum and even with the bag the dust collection is great. As it stands right now it may be just as well for you to replace the pad but if you are making money with your tools it doesnt take long for a new one to "pay for itself"... just some food for thought!

 

I am not one of the Festool fanatics that thinks they are the ultimate sander choice for everyone. However, for the kind of use that you and your husband are giving them, it might just be the best choice for you.

 

If you do decide to go with a Festool, use their sanding disks as well. I tried using other sanding disks and it shortened the life of the pad. Also, you don't have to use a Festool dust extractor with the Festool ROS. I have a Nilfisk and it fits the sander fine, others may also. FWIW

 

Tracie
I think by the other comments that you have figured out the hook and loop pad is worn out. The real question now is whether you want to get a new pad that cost some where from $15.-$ 25. once you factor shipping into the equation .
I have had the same choice and opted for a replacement sander, of course I don't own a $300 ROS Everyone has their Favorite ROS but after trying out 7 ROSers under $125 I came across a mid price brand that I think is far superior to the others in that price range , http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory-reconditioned-milwaukee-6021-81-5-in-random-orbit-palm-sander/milr6021-81,default,pd.html?cgid=milwaukee-random-orbit-sanders

 

Thanks to each of you. I like the Festool 125EQ and will shoot for buying that soon. As I need to immediately find a solution though I'm going to go with replacing the pad. I've got 15 orders to take care of right away, so that'll solve the problem temporarily. Then I can invest in a better quality ROS.

Do any of you know if Woodcraft ever offers sale prices on Festool?

Blessings,
Tracie

 

You wont see a sale on Festool very often, every now and then you might see 10% off, to my knowledge anyway. Their prices are very regulated so if one retailer has a sale, they all do. I will warn you, Festool gets addicting, my 125EQ was the first green and blue thing I bought and now, well lets just say I may have spent more than I care to say on that stuff. My project price break down is something like this; material cost, labour, profit and festool fund lol. Happy sanding!

 

I use Abranet sanding discs and they will eat the hooks off a DeWalt sanding pad in a hurry so I use the Abranet pad stuck to my DeWalt. If you are using these mesh type sanding discs they require a special pad. Otherwise just put a new DeWalt pad on and your're good to go.

 

I have also seen d'walt (and others) throw the discs off when the break wears out.. if you notice it spins up faster than usual and doesn't stop after it has been turned off… worth mentioning

 

That has been a constant problem here.I have 30 sanders from home depot they stock no replacement velcro pads.If you have the reciept complain they will give u a new one if they dont have the part.other then that I glue new pads on the day before.the heat causes the loops to break down and the pads dont stick.if it is spinning there is a small plastic washer broken like a clutch I think

 

I am a huge fan of the dewalt row, they are very durable and up to task. They are built goodand hard to kill. The only issue is the hook pad goes bad but I'm sure this issue is consistant with other manufacturers as well. Our current 2 dewalt ROS. Are likely on their 5th or 6th pad. This past swap out, getting tired of paying 20.00 at HD for a new pad, I just used PSA hook that I cut to fit and that has worked great. I had the PSA hook material laying around the shop so it was free.

I don't use any Festool mainly because we cannot afford it and I have the philosophy that "if it is not broken, why fix it". And a worn out pad I could not justify Festool.

Also to add, we use our dewalts hard and rough daily. I have considered a pneumatic upgrade but I'm on the fence as I don't want to run our 7.5 hp compressor to run the ROS unless there is some distinct advantage.

 

Common mistake people do is they push the sander to hard
This will wear the pad easily

No matter what brand it is, you can still ruin the pads.

 

As stated the pads die they are cheep to replace you don't need a festool to sand a project but they are vibration free but so is the new Rockwell sander and you can get it for about 79 dollars the paper is proprietary still because it is a new design but the paper they sell lasts me 5 to 6 times as long as the paper i was using on my dewalt

 

>>Common mistake people do is they push the sander to hard

I'm sure this is me! Explains my usually aching elbows too!

 

My Porter Cable has a flat pad that uses peel and stick paper. Maybe that pad would hold up better for you if it's available. Paper would probably be cheaper, too.

 

>>Common mistake people do is they push the sander to hard

I'm sure this is me! Explains my usually aching elbows too!

I TRY to let the weight of the tool provide the pressure.
As to the lack of H&L holding power, I switched all my sanders to peel and stick a long time ago. I keep 3 RO sanders loaded with separate grits for each job. No time studies to back me up, but I'm sure my present method costs less time than when I relied on H+L. I am certain my frustration is less!

 

Welcome to LJ's

All brands will wear. Usually if you're pushing to hard it's three things. First, wrong pads. Start with a courser pad and work to a finer pad. Second, technique. Practice letting the tools do their job without you exerting so much energy. Third patience. We try to do to much to quick. Sanding is never popular. So we try to get it over with as quick as possible. Finishing takes time to be right. I have to preach this to myself constantly in my shop. Good luck!

 

I've had really good results using a pad protector. You stick it to the sander, then the sanding disc sticks to the protector. That way, the actual sander pad does not get worn out from all the disc-changing.

 

how about as link to that Charlie

 

Of course if you sand without a sandpaper disk that will wear out the hooks real fast. DAMHIK.

 

Also if you sand that much beware of tendonitis in your wrist. I had it quite bad last summer from using a 1/4 sheet pad sander extensively on a project. Get some gloves with gel padding in the palm and switch off hands, take frequent breaks etc.

 

I can't find one just like mine. (I don't remember where I got it.)

The one I have was not this expensive, but this is the general idea.

 

My Dewalt lasted 5 years of regular use. You can replace the hook and loop pad at toolpartsdirect.com
Sometimes one brand of disks stick better than others. I think Bosch brand sanding disks are the worst.

 

For what it's worth, many of these sanders are made at the same place that makes Ryobi.
Home Depot stocks replacement pads for the Ryobi.
I got one for my Ridgid ROS and it looked and mounted and worked exactly the same as the original.

Easy to tell if that pad fits your machine, count the screws in the bottom. Some of them have 3 screws and some of them have 4 screws.