Random Orbital Sander - Should the pad be visibly spinning?

Try using the sander without any downward pressure at all. While most of us are guilty of applying at least some downward pressure technically the ROS should do its job without any downward pressure.

There should be some rotation and always should be oscillation.

The oscillation is from a counter weight, but the rotation is from a belt under the pad. This belt is designed to slip (and reduce rotation) if too much downward pressure is used.

With my PC VS333 (5” ROS) that belt just wore out. I replaced it with a standard “O” ring from the hardware store and it has been working like a champ.

Thanks guys. It seems that my Ryobi slips way too easily, just as my dewalt did.

When I let up too much on the pressure, the pad will tend to chatter. It’s as if there’s not sweet spot. Either chatter or stall.

Being very unafraid to take things apart and modify, I’m going to see if I can take down the Ryobi and perhaps replace the belt with a very slightly smaller one if I find one in there.

Thanks again!

-- Brian from Connecticut. Unbiased Tool Reviews at https://www.Tool-Smart.com

yeah id say if the disc isn’t spinning it’s not sanding.you dont need much pressure but just let your hand rest on top,that will give all you need.

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I’ll experiment some more and see how it goes. Methinks this is more a case of “operator error” than anything else.

-- Brian from Connecticut. Unbiased Tool Reviews at https://www.Tool-Smart.com

You really never want to be pressing downward much harder than the weight of the sander. If the sander sitting on wood without you pressing down is not rotating or oscillating, then there’s absolutely something wrong with the sander.

In my experience, 95% of people press down too hard on their ROS.