I have a random orbital, Porter-Cable sander Model 333. It works well, the motor seems to last about 4 years with the amount of use I give it. The problem is the Hook and Loop pad on the bottom of the sander. I get a very limited number of hours of use out of the pad before it will stop holding the sanding disc. I have not kept track of the time it take for the pad to become useless, but it seems like I’m buying a new one every few months. Has anyone found a way to extend the life of these Hook and Loop pads?
Replies
Sounds like imbedded dust or pitch in the pad.
I switched to Makita back in 98 and am still using the original pads on two of them. Clean pad with air when changing grits.
Chuck S
depending what I am sanding, I often hit it with the vacumn hose every time I change a disc.
What really kills them is when a helper tries to sand something with no disc on it!
I also notice that when I buy some of the cheaper discs, they will not hold well even on a new pad.
I go through 3-4 pads before killing a motor or a clutch.
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How hard do you push down on the sander when you're using it? Too much pressure could melt the hook & loop, wearing it out faster.
Good tips, but let me add one. ALWAYS keep a sanding disc on your sander. Don't store it, or even set it down, without one.