Thread: ROS, Disc or me problem

Buy discs without the dustextraction holes, thats the only solution I have found, will be intersesting to here some other points of view

Are the sanding disks the sticky kind (adhesive) or hook & loop?

Vent holes on sheets for dust sometimes helps, but aren't necessarily the answer here.

As you suggest it sounds like user style - as with all cutting tools, whether hand or electric, the machine should do the cutting not your weight. So you need sufficient pressure to keep control, but the minimum necessary that allows the device to do the work.

With a ROS you need firm pressure, but importantly correct paper selection for the job - so start with the coarsest you will need then finish off with finest for the finish you seek.

But - until you have experience with the effect of different grades on different timbers to be comfortable with paper grade selection you should always start with a finer grade than you think you need to see if it is cutting away as much material as you expect (or too much) and only then change to a finer or coarser grade for the initial cut then get finer after that.

Unless I am sure of the timber and the end finished result I want I tend to use a 120 grit paper to start then move down to an 80 (or even 60 or 40 if I am removing paint or saw marks etc or on very hard timber).

Paper of 120 grade gives reasonable finish for much of my work especially if the finish is opaque paint not clear, but if needed I then go to 180 or even 240 to finish and on some broad work like table tops to 400 or even 800 grit paper.

I always finish any fine work by hand.

Thanks for all replies - I have also read some other posts on velcro ....

I using hook and loop.

Given that sander has only been used a few times and is under guarantee I inclined to return it and try again !

Albert

Hi Albert.
You suggested yourself that you may have been putting too much pressure on the tool. If you do you can overheat the attaching pad (the hook part of the "hook & loop"). And you shorten the life of the abrasive disc.
The hooks are plastic and can be distorted by heat. If so you would have to replace that part of the tool.
Don't put pressure on the tool. Just let the weight of the device do the work.
But then, you just may have one that was faulty from new.

It might well be that the hooks were faulty eg: too straight and wouldn't grip the paper backing. I had a cheapy GMC sander that had that fault - Bunnings exchanged it and I am still using it.

The "hook & loop" ((Velcro) system works fine and much easier than the older adhesive types. As has been said - easy on the pressure though, just enough to keep control - the weight of the device is sufficient to do the job.

And if the disk comes off, don't put it down on the bench while it is still running. A friend did that & when the velcro melted & discs started shooting over the fence & bouncing off the neighbours, she went & bought me a new, better one. So she's still a friend & can come around & use the gear she feels qualified to use. (She own & services Italian motorbikes)

Try cleaning the pad on the sander with your shop vac. That should help.

thanks for advice guys - Bunnings have replaced machine -- will be more careful with replacement )