Random orbiter sanders

[Sailor]

My B&D 5-inch sander refuses to hold the stick-on sanding discs. After about 2 minutes of sanding they fly off the pad. I have tried three brands of discs and get the same results.

If the problem is the pad, is it cost effective to replace the pad? If I buy a new sander, should I get another stick-on model or switch to a hook-and-loop model?

As a side note, when the B&D was bought 15-to-20 years ago, as I recall it came with two pads - one stick-on and one hook and loop. Has my memory failed me? Or, did B&D really sell this option.

TIA,
Don

[twistsol]

There is a conversion kit to hook and loop available at most of the big box stores that has a permanent adhesive on one side and hook and loop on the other. I converted an older Ryobi sander this way and the hook and loop lasted 10 years before the sander failed.

I've never had a problem with hook and loop paper coming loose from the sander. When the paper is used up it still has plenty of stick to it when I try to pull it off.

Not sure what the pad is made of on your sander but you may also try cleaning it with goo gone or rubbing alcohol or another solvent so the sticky paper sticks again. If you use the goo gone, you need to clean the pad with dish detergent because the residue will keep breaking down any new adhesive for a while.

[Daryl]

Like Twistsol mentioned, get the conversion to hook and loop. You will never want self adhesive sand paper again.

[gsmittle]

+1 on the hook and loop. My understanding is that the heat of sanding friction eventually breaks down the adhesive on the PSA discs.

g.

[cabinetman]

+1 on the hook and loop. My understanding is that the heat of sanding friction eventually breaks down the adhesive on the PSA discs.

g.

+2. I vote for H & L.

.

[durango dude]

I owned a B&D ROS, and it really wasn't worth any additional investment for repair/maintenance.

I also had sticky failure, and eventually got fed up, and went out and bought a Ridgid ROS. Don't regret that decision for a single second.

[JimD]

I would at least compare the price of the hook and loop conversion to a new sander. I like the Milwaukee 5 inch. I bought it based upon a favorable review in Fine Woodworking. It sands both relatively quickly and with scratches that are not readily visible. It is surprising how much difference there is - at least to me.

I agree completely you want a hook and loop sanding disc, I've used the adhesive type and gave up relatively quickly on them. I am just not sure how much money I would put into an old B&D sander. Maybe that is part of the reason I have several sanders, however.

Jim

[cabinetman]

As a side note, when the B&D was bought 15-to-20 years ago, as I recall it came with two pads - one stick-on and one hook and loop. Has my memory failed me? Or, did B&D really sell this option.

TIA,
Don

Before buying another sander, I would check for a H & L pad kit, providing the sander is still working OK.

.

[LCHIEN]

Hook and loop conversion kits

http://best-random-orbit-sanders.blo...it-sander.html

http://www.toolbarn.com/bosch-rs035.html
note the Bosch has a series with different softness from extra soft to hard, RS030 to RS035, has 8-hole dust collection

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...8&site=ROCKLER
no-holes
There's more, search google for 5" hook and loop conversion kit

[Pappy]

my first ROS was a PC-332 PSA. I still have that one but it has ben converted to H&L. I also have a Bosch that sees the most use because of the dust collection.

[Sailor]

Random orbiter sanders

I decided not to convert the Black & Decker to a H&L pad. Instead I bought a Porter-Cable Model 382.

Thanks for all the input.

Don

[dbhost]

I used to use self adhesive disks, and went with Hook and Loop stuff years ago. Costs a little bit more, but the lack of aggravation is WELL worth the extra cost of the H&L disks...

[durango dude]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...omparison-test