Power Sanding Pads

[wizer]

Yellow

I bought a couple of sanding pads from Stiles and Bates the other week. First time I'd done any power sanding. The velcro melted almost instantly, even tho I was using a light touch. Also the sponge part of the pad seems to have 'cracked'.

Anyway. Can anyone recommend a better replacement?

Cheers

 

[duncanh]

What brand of pads did you get, and what arbor etc are you using them with?

I use the arbor, foam pads and abrasive sold by Hegner as well as the Grip-a-disc system

I've found that the velcro wears our eventually (faster on the Hegner system) but it's usually after many months of use.
They both cope well with a wide range of speeds - I know that you're supposed to sand at lowish speeds but I sometimes have more success faster - round about 1000rpm.

The only way I could imagine the velcro melting would be to have no interface pad/foam between it and the abrasive

Duncan

 

[Paul.J]

I use the Grip a disc as well Tom.
I used to have the problem of the disc flying off when using the discs for power sandingl,but i have since started putting the drill in reverse and the disc stays on all the time.A lot better.

 

[cornucopia]

the best arbors i have found are the skilton ones- expensive but they last ages

 

[Doug B]

Hi Tom.

You`re not alone, i did exactly the same with my first sanding disc.
I cut the old velcro off with a Stanley blade & bought a Skilton velcro pad from Axminster, using contact adhesive, i glued it to the foam backing.
Since then i only use the pad in a cordless drill, as like you i was only sanding with what i thought was light pressure, but with the combination of high lathe rev`s & high drill rev`s the heat soon built up & disaster struck.
On a plus side i`m still using the original pad 3 years on, but as i`ve said only in a much slower cordless drill.

 

[CHJ]

Your not the first to get frustrated with the sanding systems Tom, I would go along with the Grip-a-Discs recommendation.

A Link to my frustrations early on

 

[wizer]

Thanks everyone. Good to hear it wasn't another of my total c*ck ups. I'll have to look into a better system.

It was the ASTproduct from S&B. It wasn't expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Cheers

 

[paulm]

You're not supposed to hollow the entire bowl with them Tom, they're just for the finish sanding :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

Cheers, Paul

 

[wizer]

Oh I thought that's what the 30 grit was for???? :? :lol:

 

[petercharlesfagg]

In all the years I have used the velcro system I have never melted the backing! It has been hot enough to come unstuck but when it cooled it was fine!

I buy 10 at a time from Craft Supplies, I think they are £2.95 at the moment, which gives me a 10% discount. On average I buy them about every 2 months.

I have never tried the Skilton ones because the initial outlay is too much when I think of the hammering they get daily. If I need a tapered disc holder I merely run one on my flat bed sander so that it tapers.

Do not understand why others have problems, they are only the finishing touches, although I will admit I have used 60 grit quite often!

Peter.

 

[duncanh]

Thanks everyone. Good to hear it wasn't another of my total c*ck ups. I'll have to look into a better system.

It was the ASTproduct from S&B. It wasn't expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Cheers

Strange - that's the system I have from Hegner. I tend to use the 3" medium arbor with the soft interface pad.
I can see how you could melt the velcro if you didn't use the interface pad.

 

[wizer]

hrm I think we've discovered my error. So the sandpaper doesn't go directly onto the soft arbor pad?

 

[Jenx]

You're not supposed to hollow the entire bowl with them D

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm not the only one that has an affinity with the '60Grit Gouge' then ?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[duncanh]

As long as it's soft I would have thought that it would be ok.
In use I would try not to deform the pad much. If it does I'd say you're pressing too hard.

You should be able to fit a new piece of velcro to the pad if you carefully remove the melted one. I get my replacement from the local haberdashery - it's got adhesive already on it but I use a layer of flexible "marine goop"

 

[wizer]

Cheers. I think I'm going to try the home made route as I'm potless atm (after a recent trip to the aladins cave that is Blister's shed)

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Tom,

The AST stuff (from Hegner) is what I sell and use my self. I've not had any problems with it. Personally I prefer it to the Skelton (which is why I sell it!!). The only time you get melting is a little round the edge if the disc is not central and you're a bit heavy handed, or if (like I did the other week) you forget to put the abrasive disc on....

Richard

 

[Bob Chapman]

The thing I like best about the Skilton pads is the fact that they have 6mm hexagonal shanks, although the latest ones I got from Axminster had 8mm shanks and I had to send them back. Does anyone know any other (i.e. cheaper) make which has hexagon shanks?

Bob

 

[jpt]

HI Bob

I had the same problem with the last Skilton I brought, I like to use the in screwdriver bit extension piseces to reach inside tall vases etc.

I have found a way round that I had the Hegner pad which has a round shaft which happens to be the same size as a spade bit shaft. I also have a couple of spade bit extension pieces and the pad fits in these arms. The bonus is they can be held in place with the grub screws and they are more controlable.

john

 

[wizer]

Has anyone used Abranet with this system. Maybe that's the problem? i.e the mesh transfers the heat directly to the pad?

 

[cornucopia]

i've tried abranet on a skilton pad and it wouldint stick