Converting Self Adhesive Sanding Disc to Hook and Loop - Worth the Effort?

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

How good are the 'hook and loop' type sanding discs for the sanders like the one in the photograph? Are the hook in loop type discs worth the conversion costs? Photograph accessed 9th August 2023 from, 370W Belt & Disc Sander - RBDS4601G | RYOBI Tools (https://www.ryobi.com.au/products/details/370w-belt-disc-sander-rbds4601g).

After the sanding disc on my Ryobi combination sander wore out I went on the hunt for a replacement pack of sanding discs. I did track some of these self adhesive backed 150 mm sanding discs down after doing a circuit of the hardware stores in town.

The hardware store that did stock the 'no holes - adhesive backed' discs must have only had a lightweight version of the discs. I flew through a couple of the replacement discs doing the same work on the same material that the old originally supplied disc lasted a lot longer time doing.

So, is it worth the effort of converting the adhesive backed system on the alloy sander backing plate (platen) with the hook and loop system? If so what brand hook and loop conversion do you recommend? Also, what brand of 150 mm diameter sanding disc for wood and aluminium - very rarely steel do you buy and are most happy with? I have a similar backing plate for a wood lathe and another combination belt and disc sander that could be candidates for conversion to hook and loop if it is worthwhile too.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

After some more digging I found out that the combination disc and belt sanders that sit on a bench are called 'stationary sanders'. According to Empire Abrasives stationary disc sanders do require a more heavy duty disc. Accessed 9th August 2023 from Choosing the right Sanding Disc - Empire Abrasives (https://www.empireabrasives.com/blog/choosing-the-right-sanding-disc/)

Empire Abrasives provide the following description .... Stationary discs sanders can usually be found configured on a pedestal, workbench or on combo belt grinder machines. These disc sanders usually require a more rugged PSA disc and range anywhere from 6” to 14” in size. Dissimilar to the other types of sanders that require you to hold the machine and apply pressure to the work-piece, the wheel with the abrasive will spin, while the user rests the work-piece in front slightly applying pressure to the wheel. The sanding discs are X-weight cloth backed.

I checked on Amazon and yes there are particular sanding discs available that are available for stationary sanders such as this Sungold product ... Sungold Abrasives 336084 120 Grit 6" X -Weight Cloth Premium Industrial Aluminum Oxide Psa Stick-On Sanding Discs For Stationary Sanders, 10 Sanding Discs/Pack : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement (https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B005YUK6H8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1'smid=A4XRJ8S0WXSO0&psc=1)

I have also contacted an Australian sandpaper specialist to see if there are any products stocked here in Australia. I will see how they work out for price compared to the Amazon suppliers.

Kind regards
Lionel

[POD]

I built a 12" disc sander a few years ago and the first time I had to change the sandpaper, I vowed to convert it to hook & loop. It's a machine that sits unused for many months until it is needed, have not used it much in ages so can't comment on the durability of the hook & loop system but it is one heck of a lot easier to change, and a realistic proposition to swap between grits if needed.
Hare and Forbes had a selection of discs.

[LuckyLes]

I'm quite involved with the local Men's Shed and we use this guy. Good prices and prompt service.
Sanding Discs Hook & Loop for Disc Sander Machines (https://www.thesandpaperman.com.au/hook-and-loop-sanding-discs/)

Cheers
LuckyLes

[Lionelgee]

I'm quite involved with the local Men's Shed and we use this guy. Good prices and prompt service.
Sanding Discs Hook & Loop for Disc Sander Machines (https://www.thesandpaperman.com.au/hook-and-loop-sanding-discs/)

Cheers
LuckyLes

Hello Les,

Thank you for the link that shows how to change the hook and loop discs. Also, thank you for the Sand Paper Man's website. I had contacted him last week and found out the cost of the PSA cloth-backed 150 mm sanding discs. I had also tracked down some USA based suppliers. The prices involved encouraged me to go out and get a hook and loop conversion kit from one of the local non-chain hardware stores. They stock some of the more specialist woodworking tools that the big chains do not bother with.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Slunnie]

We run a double disc 350mm and a lot of timber gets put through it. For our needs, I'd highly recommend the velcro backed sanding discs as it makes changeover of the disc relatively easy and straight forward. As a tip, we also use it for timber removal (rather than for finishing), so approx 60 grit which has good life for what it does.

[Lionelgee]

We run a double disc 350mm and a lot of timber gets put through it. For our needs, I'd highly recommend the velcro backed sanding discs as it makes changeover of the disc relatively easy and straight forward. As a tip, we also use it for timber removal (rather than for finishing), so approx 60 grit which has good life for what it does.

Hello Slunnie,

Thank you for posting. I was using the originally fitted sanding disc to fine tune some 2.5 mm and 3.00 mm aluminium plate back to the scribed lines for a final trim. Previously, I had used the same disc to sand down aluminium insect screen and security door frames. I was using 80 grit.

I did track down the 150 mm diameter PSA (Adhesive) backed sandpaper. However, the only hardware that stocked the adhesive backed discs just had a paper-backed version. The sanding disc just delaminated and chewed the abrasive off. I then tracked down a hook and loop conversion and some cloth-backed 80 grit, no-holes sanding discs. I will try them out tomorrow. I cleaned the alloy platen off with Eucalyptus oil and rinsed it multiple times - so it is sparkling clean and should provide a sound surface to mate the hook and loop back to. Fingers crossed they last a similar amount of time to the originally fitted sanding disc.

Kind regards
Lionel