Thread: Makita BO5010 Random Orbit Sander: Fix or Replace?

Seems reasonable to me, if it's a good sander, it's worth replacing seeing that a replacement sander will cost many times that. I seem to remember paying similar to that for a replacement pad for one of mine about 6 years ago.

Originally Posted by Mooncabbage

I've dug up an old Makita random orbit sander, for which the velcro backing pad has absolutely disintegrated. I don't know how it was stored, but that bit is DEAD. I've searched around for replacements, but they seem to be a rare and expensive part these days. It's weird, because Bunnings has the new makita sanders that take the exact same style backing pad, but I can't find a simple replacement. There are a few places that will sell it as a part, for what seems like an exorbitant fee, $50 or so inc postage.

The question is, having never actually used this thing before, is it worth my money to replace the backing pad and hope nothing else breaks, or should I just throw it and buy a new one?

I have a 5 in dewalt orbital sander and its only a few years old but i use it constantly .. i had to replace the pad and with taxes was almost $50 and later on at a building supply they had the same sander on sale for $50 plus tax ,,,, my suggestion buy new



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If it's just the velcro that's gone then it can be replaced cheaply as I have done.
The only other thing that has gone (twice) in mine (DeWalt) is the main bearing, 1st time under warranty, second time cost me about $3 at the bearing shop.
If it's not the entire pad, I say fix it ... if it is?? depending on how old and how much use it's had

The pad has dissolved. Something weird has happened to the foam backing and it just crumbles away when you touch it, like something out of Indiana Jones.

I'll see if I can get a replacement backing thru Bunnings special order, as I know Makita still use the same wacky attachment setup. I've tried to get to the damn special orders desk 3 times, but every time I seem to have left it too late or something. Has anyone used them in that capacity before?

Failing that, do you reckon there is any mileage in getting a generic backing pad of about the right size, and just making my own holes in it?

Just sounds like too much sun and old age

na ... get the right one, some of the specialty tools shops might have a generic one to fit but would guess all their mountings are slightly different

If you're north of the river I'd be trying Beyond tools up at Malalga I think. If you're south I'd be looking at one of the Toolmart shops ... you might still have to order it but that's what they do ... it's not a "special" order so you may not feel "special" but you will get the right one the first time at a a fair price.

Cheers
Ramps

Ordered one from Bunnings, cost me $20.31, with a 10 day wait. Not sure if it's the Velcro kind or the sticky kind, but I can always stick Velcro to it if I need to. Much better than the $50 or so I was looking at originally. Assuming it's the right part ofcourse.

same thing happened to mine so i took it back to where i bought it (it only broke after 2 days of buying it) apparently theyve had that particular ROS in stock for over 4 years and it had just disentegrated over time. but they have ordered the new part in from makita and was stll covered under warranty.

that sounds like a very good price
Let us all know how you go

Well that was quick and painless. Got a call out of the blue today, it arrived at bunnies. I went to pick it up, it was the exact right one, velcro and all. There's not much to say, it was really no dramas. Quite pleased actually. I think I might try using them again for a few other replacement bits and pieces. for Bunnings I guess.

Hmm, put the new backing pad on, must have over tightened the screws because it wouldn't go at all and started to smoke. Turned it off pretty fast and loosened the screws back a little, but it's still not working quite right. It smells vaguely like burning when I run it (not even running it on a surface, just in the air). Any advice before I turf it?

PS. Talking about the sander, not the pad.

Suggestion Only.
Remove the pad and then see how the sander runs. If it is OK then fitting of pad is problem. If it still has problems then there is another fault that needs fixing.

If the problem is with the pad fitting just check that all lines up when fitting and try again. Use "Loctite" or similar on the screws.

Good luck fixing it.

I'll give it a go. Thanks for the advice.

EDIT: For some reason, the backing pad is rubbing on something. I'm not sure why. maybe makita sent me a dodgy replacement, maybe the sander has had a dodgy service in the past. It runs fine with no backing pad, and I ran it with the backing pad on and a bit of CRC, it ran ok for a bit, but you could definitely see something rubbing off. So I took off the pad, and you could see where the pad had been rubbing the rim of the face. Not sure what to do about that, it shouldn't really be happening. Nothing looks obviously different from the parts breakdown, so I'm not really sure what to do.

Turns out I was missing a bit. Part 16, the bearing housing cover, was stuck to the back of the old pad when I took it off, and it was so grimy I didn't notice it. Derp. Luckily, once I realised what had happened I found the back of the old pad, grabbed it off, and installed it. Now it works like a champ

good news
I might have to alter my attitude to the green B a bit and get a price for parts from them before I pay a small fortune elsewhere
May you have many more small rotations
Cheers
Ramps