EASY steps & video for DIY Velcro orbital sander pad replacement. This 5 inch, 8 hole Velcro pad works for most orbital sanders: Dewalt, Bosch, Hitachi, Black & Decker, etc.
Orbital Sander Pad Replacement
Hi guys! Today I’ve got the quick and easy to follow steps to replace a Velcro orbital sander pad. I’m changing out the Velcro pad on my Dewalt.
But, these exact steps work for any 5 inch, 8 hole orbital sander. It’s a commonly used part on most orbital sanders.
I love my Dewalt Orbital Sander. It’s easy to use and it makes quick work of sanding everything smooth. But, like any tool, it does require a little maintenance.
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You’ll have to replace the Velcro pad as it wears out. Luckily, it’s a pretty easy DIY for anyone with a few common tools.
This Sanding Pad Replacement Part works on a few different orbital sanders, like Porter Cable and Makita Orbital Sanders.
Check the description on the Amazon listing to see if this pad is compatible with your brand of orbital sander.
When I bought my velcro replacement pad, it was around $8.50. This replacement sander pad seems to be more durable than the original part that came with my Dewalt Orbital Sander.
The sides on the original velcro pad were softer and splinters eventually broke through it. The sides on the replacement part seem stronger. So, I am pretty hopeful that it will last even longer than the original.
Now, let’s get to that DIY Velcro Orbital Sanding Pad Replacement Guide.
Can You Replace The Velcro Pad On An Orbital Sander
Yes, you can replace the velcro pad on an orbital sander. And, it’s a pretty easy fix. The velcro covered pad on an orbital sander can and should be replaced as it wears out.
Watch this short video to see a step by step Velcro Orbital Sander Pad Replacement. Or scroll down to read what you need to do.
How Do You Change The Backing Pad On An Orbital Sander?
The velcro pad on an orbital sander will wear out with use. If you’re rough on sanders, like me, the sanding pad might even start to fall apart from sanding really rough wood.
You can find replacement velcro pads for most orbital sanders online.
For this Dewalt Orbital Sander, I used a T20 Bit (star) to remove the pad on the orbital sander. BUT, you have to turn the screws in the opposite direction you normally would. So, turn right to loosen and left to tighten.
Because the Velcro orbital sander pad is a spinning part, it works like the tire on a car. The screws have to work in the opposite direction so that they don’t unscrew while the sander is running.
While you have the backing pad off for your Orbital Sander, go ahead and gently clean out any dust inside with a clean paint brush. This’ll just help keep all of the moving parts in that sander running longer.
Once it’s all clean, screw on the replacement orbital sander pad. Easy peasy, right?!
Why Won’t My Sandpaper Stick To My Sander
If your sandpaper won’t stick to the velcro pad on your sander, it’s probably caused by one of three things.
First, the Velcro pad is worn out and needs to be replaced. Follow the Orbital Sander Pad Replacement steps above.
Second, the velcro pad is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Use a shop vac or soft bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, to remove the built up dust and gunk in the pad.
And, the third reason why your sandpaper won’t stick to the velcro pad is the sandpaper itself.
Unfortunately, the sandpaper will lose the ability to stick to the velcro after a certain amount of use. You can make it last longer by not pressing down too hard on the surface you are sanding.
But, eventually it will fall off and won’t stick to the velcro anymore. Luckily, you can find low cost sanding discs if you shop around. I like this box of 72 Orbital Sanding Discs I found for about $10 on Amazon.
Well, that’s it for this Orbital Sanding Pad Repair and Replacement Guide. If you love home improvement projects as much as I do, check out these DIY Home Improvement videos here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂
How to Replace an Orbital Sander Sanding Pad
Instructions
How Do You Change The Pad On An Orbital Sander?
The velcro pad on an orbital sander will wear out with use. If you’re rough on sanders, like me, the sanding pad might even start to fall apart from sanding really rough wood. You can find replacement velcro pads for most orbital sanders online.
- For this Dewalt Orbital Sander, I used a T20 Bit (star) to remove the pad on the orbital sander. BUT, you have to turn the screws in the opposite direction you normally would. So, turn right to loosen and left to tighten. Because the orbital sanding pad is a spinning part, it works like the tire on a car, and the screws have to work in the opposite direction so that they don’t unscrew while the sander is running.
- While you have the pad off for your Dewalt Sanding Pad Repair and replacement, go ahead and gently clean out any dust inside with a clean paint brush. This’ll just help keep all of the moving parts in that sander running longer.
- Using the same screws, screw on the new replacement sanding pad.
Notes
Why Won’t My Sandpaper Stick To My Sander
If your sandpaper won’t stick to the velcro pad on your sander, it’s probably caused by one of three things. First, the velcro pad is worn out and needs to be replaced, as shown in the Dewalt Sanding Pad Repair guide above.
Second, the velcro pad is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Use a shop vac or soft bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, to remove the built up dust and gunk in the pad.
And, the third reason why your sandpaper won’t stick to the velcro pad is the sandpaper itself. Unfortunately, the sandpaper will lose the ability to stick to the velcro after a certain amount of use. You can make it last longer by not pressing down too hard on the surface you are sanding.
But, eventually it will fall off and won’t stick to the velcro anymore. Luckily, you can find low cost sanding discs if you shop around. I like this box of 72 Orbital Sanding Discs I found for about $10 on Amazon.
You might also like this Quick DIY to Whiten Tile Grout.
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If you’re into Home DIY as much as I am, here are a few more tutorials you might like: How to Cut Drywall and Hang Drywall for beginners, this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe from Latex Paint, how to fix damaged wood furniture with bondo, and this guide for when to use caulk or wood filler on wood trim.
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That’s it for this Orbital Sander Pad Replacement Guide. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.