random orbital sander issue

Got a new random orbital sander and and have been sanding away on some wooden deck railings and am noticing some of the the fuzzy back part of the sanding discs is pulling off when I remove the sanding discs from the pad. It's the velcro (hook and loop) type attachment between the sanding disc(s) and the pad. So the more of that fuzzy stuff builds up on the sanding pad surface, the less secure the sanding disc(s) stay onto the pad when sanding. Here's a pic of the back of a sanding disc and some of that fuzz buildup on the sanding pad of the sander:



How might I avoid this happening, and is there any good/easy way to pull that fuzz stuff out from that side of the velcro (hooks I guess it is) on the sanding pad?

 

Well, what usually happens is that the hooks on the bottom of the sander get hot and flat from abuse (pushing too hard on the sander), or the edges of the pad get beat up and that's the primary reason why the disks won't stay on and fly off.

I've never heard of the fabric coming off or getting stuck. Generally the pad gets replaced when it gets worn out. You remove a few screws, put the new one on and you're back in business.

I replace mine, along with a new brake disc, at least once a year... more often as needed.

I would definitely avoid buying that same brand of sandpaper again. Pretty sure it's the problem.

 

Hmm, here's the sandpaper I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Sungold-Abras...d+loop+36+grit

seemed like it shoulda been an okay type according to the reviews etc

 

Only 2 reviews... and one says "velcro backing could have been better".

 

Here's a pic of how bad the fuzzy backing on the back of the latest disc I used peeled off. Next to it there is a new unused one of the same brand/type of disc.



what the heck?

 

Gonna be real fun trying to remove the fuzz off the hook surface of the pad.

 

I would just guess that the heat from sanding is melting the glue they used on their velcro. Try not pushing on the sander at all when you use it. The sandpaper and the weight of the sander is all the pressure it needs. Just move the sander around, don't push on it. See if that helps.

Try gently combing your pad with a wire brush. But don't scrub it.

 

Ok Xsleeper I was tending to push down a little more on the sander when using it than I probably should have. Will ease up and not press down much at all and see if that's what was apparently causing my problem. thanks

 

Update: Tried peeling/pulling the fuzz/adhesive off the pad with my fingernails bit by bit. Didn't work that good. Figured the adhesive which was apparently melted on there was probably making that too difficult. Sprayed some Goof-Off on the pad and worked it in with a toothbrush which seemed to loosen up the adhesive good enough to where I could then pull the fuzz/adhesive off and out of the tiny hooks on the pad. Got most of it off that way but there was still some remnants which I tried to comb out with a wire brush but that didn't work so great either so picking the rest out with my fingernails which seems to work but is of course slow and tedious.

 

Yikes. The goof off was probably a good idea.

 

done. got it. whew.
Will stop the pressing down on the sander when I sand with it. Lesson learned. thanks again