DA sander

[Shua57]

I seem to be having trouble keeping my snading disc on my Craftsman DA sander. I bought 3M sanding disc and stick them on. After a few minuites the disc go flying across the garage like ninja stars. Any ideas why that happens? What do you guys use?
Josh

[12pack]

Sounds like maybe the rubber pad on your DA is dirty. I've cleaned them with laq. thinner and they stick better after that??????

[Jim '57]

I had the same problem till I noticed it happen when I let off the trigger, the disc is then traveling faster than the sander and it flies off. So now I don't let off the power unless it is still on what ever I'm sanding. Hope it is that simple for you.
Jim

[Old Buzzard]

As mentioned.. dirty pad. Also could be the glue on the discs is drying out. I keep the roll of discs in a ziploc bag, and sealed in a tupperware container.
I also use only 3M products... More $, but seem to last longer.

[Shua57]

The DA is brand new but I will clean it. Jim, it does happen more when I let off but i also it also happens while I am sanding. I think the sticky on the disc may not be sticky enough. My other DA I tore the pad up trying to get the disc off. The disc would come off in pieces. Maybe the disc are to cold and won't stick. I like 3M stuff and usually get good results.
Josh

[MikeKy55]

The 3M discs are better no doubt. I would clean the pad surface as was mentioned. One other thing, don't set the DA on a concrete floor 'pad down' or it will make the paper a bear to get off.

[acardon]

Try putting the paper in the microwave for 15 or 20 seconds. This seems to soften the glue if it's dried out. Also works on old masking tape.
To remove the discs, sand with it a little, to heat the pad up. The paper will come off easier.

[jeffs55]

Great tip Don.:tu

[bigdave R.I.P.]

I'm in the market for a new DA sander. what brand should I be looking at?
Thanks

I didn't mean to highjack this thread:D

[BillyDee123@comcast.net]

There are two kinds of DA pads!!!One uses a fellcrow type sanding paper. [MAYBE]??? Billy Dee RUSTY 56

[12pack]

Try putting the paper in the microwave for 15 or 20 seconds. This seems to soften the glue if it's dried out. Also works on old masking tape.
To remove the discs, sand with it a little, to heat the pad up. The paper will come off easier.

I'll have to remember that. Like when your done using it and it set for weeks and when you go to use it they are really stuck. It's something kinda obvious but you just start tearing but I'll try and remember :tu

[Old Buzzard]

I'm in the market for a new DA sander. what brand should I be looking at?
Thanks

I didn't mean to highjack this thread:D

the Dynabrade brand.
[The d/a & the bondo buster]
I never leave the used sticky paper on the sander, after I'm done.
I've also bought the velcro style pads for all our sanders.
Once the sticky back is gone, I'll change to the velcro style.

[bigdave R.I.P.]

I checked out the Dynabrand DA and it'd more confusing to me now.
there is 3 different sizes of orbit? which is preferred? any other brands that you guys use?
Thanks Dave

[Old Buzzard]

I checked out the Dynabrand DA and it'd more confusing to me now.
there is 3 different sizes of orbit? which is preferred? any other brands that you guys use?
Thanks Dave

on what you want to do.
The larger orbit [10mm],units are more suited to aggressive cutting. IE: Paint removal, cutting down bondo.
The smaller orbit, [5mm], is for fine finishing.

[bigdave R.I.P.]

Thanks Chuck:tu

[Rick_L]

On most DA's, there is a double D shaped "thing" or "flippit" (for lack of the real word). Turned one way, the sander only rotates and doesn't orbit too. Turned 90º, the sander both rotates and orbits - but it rotates slower.

I've seen a DA with the flippit locked throw paper if the pad is dirty or defective (or the paper is worn out), if you run it without the paper loaded on paint or sheet metal.

Usually you want the flippit unlocked to get the full dual action. That alone will keep you from throwing paper usually.

If the pad is for the adhesive backed paper and is dirty, I clean it with the same wax and grease remover chemical that I use on the body panels before sanding or painting.

I bought an Airvantage DA from autobodystore.com a while back. It has a short throw (3/32"). I originallly bought it primarily for the short throw to use with 1500 grit 3M paper for color sanding. But I found out that it's more powerful and does a much better job than the old DA I had that I bought at NAPA. (It has a NAPA decal on it but who knows who made it.) That old DA had a longer throw too.

The Airvantage probably isn't as nice as a Dynabrade or National Detroit, but it doesn't cost as much either, so I think it's a nice cost vs. performance choice for a hobbyist user like me. It sure is better than that old generic one.

[Tabasco]

Twenty years ago I had trouble with 3M discs coming unstuck and flying across the shop. I changed to Norton discs and haven't had a problem since.

[dennis55]

Hi Josh,

All good responses here. Do your discs come on a roll, or individually in a box? The individually packaged ones tend to stay a little cleaner, since they have a release paper on the sticky back. Cold temps are also a possibility, as mentioned before.

We go through a lot of adhesive sanding discs in my cabinet business, and years ago switched to Klingspor brand sanding products. After a number of head-to-head (disc-to-disc?) tests, the Klingspor products outperformed 3M for a fraction of the cost. All they do are abrasives and we have been very happy. They are also a distributor for Dynabrade products. We like the ergonomics of the Dynabrade sanders - light weight and smaller grips for easier handling.

If you're shopping for a sander, let me know what prices you are getting - I might be able to save you a few bucks since we buy direct.

[Rebel Bill]

I had the same problem. I spryed an adhesive on the pad to add tackifer. I remove the disk before reusing. the pad seams to stay sticky enough to hold the disk on for a few days.

[Shua57]

Thanks for all the answers. I believe the pads sit too long. I picked up some new ones but have not used them yet. I also ordered a roll when I ordered my paint. Alot of good ideas I can use. Thanks.
Josh

[Old Buzzard]

Josh, I keep the disc rolls in Ziploc bags. This seems to help w/ keeping the adhesive more active....

[old school 55]

:eek: be leary of the microwave if your pads have aluminum oxide in them they will fry mommas microwave and put you straight in the dog house:rolleyes: i keep mine in bags in the basement