Looking for Velcro sheets for palm sander

[Hudson Carpentry]

Can anyone recommend any?

I have been using a Bosch GSS140A palm sander for years (well one broke so I got another) The same problem with both, the unique quick release auto tension system fails. Great system but as two have failed in 5 years I gather they don't last. Anyhow I brought a Maki palm sander but the general feel of the Bosch one is better and I prefer it, plus the lead on the bosch is twice as long and the OPM is double on the bosch. Anyhow it came to me that if the bases are not to warn I could use Velcro sheet on them.

Hay prestro Velcro sheets came with the maki so I tested them and they work fine on the some what warn surface of the bosch bases.

I have been looking for an hour and can't see any decent brand selling sheets around the size 112x105mm (don't need to be just that size). Any body know anywhere (I refuse to pay more then a faver for 10 for bosch/dewalt/maki/festool branded) I can get decent velcro sheets at that size or larger?

Thanks you!

 

[Shrubby]

You can get velcro backed on rolls 115mm wide . i've used the Hermes brand from CSM
Matt

 

[OPJ]

I've had the same problem with the very same sander. Mine's still under warranty but, as I've suspected it would only break again (and, it sounds as though I may be right!), I've never bothered to get it repaired. Not that I use it much now, anyway.

I haven't looked far for velcro-backed abrasive sheets and, at the time, bought a pack of these Hermes 1/2 Sheets from Axminster. They're probably dearer than what you'd like to spend but, bear in mind that you do have to cut them in half (and a little bit more) so, you're effectively getting double for your money... ;-)

They're not bad. I'm just not sure how much better than are than red or yellow aluminium oxide... You can, after all, punch any sheets that you do find. Using dust extraction would probably also help but, as Bosch expect you to pay another £5 so you can connect it to your vacuum, I've never bothered.

I guess that Abranet would be the very best available, if they do something suitable?

Maybe someone else has found a better and maybe cheaper alternative?

EDIT - just found this on eBay, which is what Matt is saying. No idea how this brand compares to what CSM stock, though.

 

[Hudson Carpentry]

Shrubby, which is CSM?

Olly, I have a rubber thingy that connects to just about any power tool and it does go snuggly over the boschs port (the maki port is far to small ) http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-nu ... rod208855/ is the rubber thing. I leave it on the hose and just use that to "inter connect" between each power tool.

I have searched through all i could find on abranet and they seem to only do 70x***mm then jump upto full size. I use palm sanders alot and can go through a sheet per 30mins when doing curved work which is why I don't want to spend a fortune on velcro when I have loads of Norton rolls left.
I was thinking as I now have 3 working palms ill use one just for curved work (as the base gets a battering anyway) and two for flat but have two grits on to save changing.

I never punch sheets myself as the torn holes tend to scratch the wood.

Thanks for the link, thats a better price then expected for what you get!

 

[Shrubby]

I need some abrasives too - so I've had a look:
CSM call themselves Abrasivesplus.com . Axminster have rolls of Hermes stuff with velcro and a grid of tiny holes for extraction. I'll also look at the usual suspects - SIA,Mirka and Klingspor as I'm happy with belts from them.
For curved stuff, a soft interface pad on a random orbit or j-flex cloth on a foam block are good
Matt

 

[Hudson Carpentry]

This CMS place do they do velcro backed stuff on the roll? I have been through many of pages and not found any yet.

 

[tomatwark]

Try here http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-velcro ... rod826179/

Tom

 

[CHJ]

HC, how about the Rhino brand velcro backed sheets, Richard Findley Stocks them.

 

[Hudson Carpentry]

Thanks. I think I will go with the link olly posted as thats rhino also. Ill get a meter and see whats its like.

 

[CHJ]

That link of Olly's is a good price, of the abrasives I've used I rate Rhino the best, seems sharper and requires less pressure in use. Only have a little of the velcro backed version as I'm still using up the plain backed stuff I bought some years ago.

It's the brand I pick up for the difficult bits that want a sharp cut that the others are not quite doing the job, bit like when you know you should have sharpened the tool before using it.

 

[Hudson Carpentry]

Well im really impressed with this rhino paper. I have sand the same sheet on the palm sander for 3 days, sanding WA Oak flat, on end, rounding over edges and shaping. Its still ripping material off at speed, don't look that worn and the ends haven't ripped off like they do when shaping. My normal brand Norton, which has been up there in my list of better brands for years only lasts 30min when shaping. I think the fact the velcro keeps the paper flat and tight to the base does help with its life somewhat.

However ill be using the eBay seller from now on, but I doubt due to the life of the paper it will be often. Thanks all.