Just in case it helps anyone else, I had one of those 'aha' moments the other day. It was doubly satisfying as it came about because the tool manufacturer was trying to get me to buy into planned obsolescence, which I hate.

So - I have an Ozito 125 mm ROS, which is actually not half bad for light jobs. However, after maybe 3 years of hobby use, the velcro that holds sanding discs on the base was breaking down - it's a fabric construction, glued to the rubber backing pad, and had randomly torn and ripped off in sections. As a result, I began to play a sort of Russian roulette each time I used it - every so often a sanding disc would whip off at surprisingly high speed and frisbee impressive distances (like about 15 meters with ease). It seemed to like to happen just as I was thinking about checking for waste build up on the disc, and subconsciously moving my head down into the 'frisbee flight path danger area'.

I thought I would actually try the Bunnings/Ozito spare parts service out of interest: you go to the special orders desk, give them the serial/model number, and agree the relevant part. You are subsequently rung up with a quote for replacement. I suspected it might be more than a new ROS, but thought I'd try it just to see. So about 72hrs later I was rung up to be told that they no longer made that part... (A standard disc for a 125 mm ROS??? How much innovation can go on there, I wonder???) Disgruntled, I suddenly had a thought, driven by refusal to buy a new machine now that it was 'compulsory'. One purchase of 'extra strong velcro pads" at $3 later, and a bit of creative scissor work, and I'm back in business: note that I soaked the whole lot in superglue, as I don't trust the adhesive backing for this. May save someone else some cash and frustration. No comments on my failure to colour coordinate, please.IMG_20190827_171017.jpg