Source For Sanding Pads

[crokett™]

I'm looking for 3" round hook and loop pads.  I found some on Amazon that aren't the Wave pads, but were a good deal cheaper.  I discovered why they are so cheap.  They don't hold up very long, not more than a few minutes when power sanding a bowl. I'm wondering what you all use and where you get them?  I'm thinking of trying to find hook and loop paper and making my own pads.  I can probably create a punch cutter in my dad's forge fairly easily.

[jcredding]

Try Industrial Abrasives - I’ve had good luck with them for hook and loop pads in a variety of sizes and grits.

[MidwestMan]

If you find a good deal... let us know... I'm still bending over and taking it like a man, over at Craft Supplies.

[MichaelMouse]

I'm looking for 3" round hook and loop pads.  I found some on Amazon that aren't the Wave pads, but were a good deal cheaper.  I discovered why they are so cheap.  They don't hold up very long, not more than a few minutes when power sanding a bowl. I'm wondering what you all use and where you get them?  I'm thinking of trying to find hook and loop paper and making my own pads.  I can probably create a punch cutter in my dad's forge fairly easily.

Well, I'm mostly Power Lock, personally, but this place also sells hook/loop.  http://www.packardwoodworks.com/

I find the Power Lock disks last for 2-3 bowls, in and outside before they get too slick, whereas the hook/loop pads always managed to find some fine shavings or sawdust in between, rendering them useless after the first stick. Maybe you're cleaner, but here, stearated hook and loop are for wet wood only.

If you want to punch your own disks, recommend Klingspor.

[diverjo]

I'm looking for 3" round hook and loop pads.  I found some on Amazon that aren't the Wave pads, but were a good deal cheaper.  I discovered why they are so cheap.  They don't hold up very long, not more than a few minutes when power sanding a bowl. I'm wondering what you all use and where you get them?  I'm thinking of trying to find hook and loop paper and making my own pads.  I can probably create a punch cutter in my dad's forge fairly easily.

Try Vinces Wooden Wonders.  His blue pads are long lasting and a good value.

[crokett™]

Well, I'm mostly Power Lock, personally,

I'm looking at the power lock system.  how flexible is the rubber backing?  does it flex enough to follow the inside radius of a bowl?    if it does last 2-3 bowls, it will last longer than other pads I've used.

[MichaelMouse]

I'm looking at the power lock system.  how flexible is the rubber backing?  does it flex enough to follow the inside radius of a bowl?    if it does last 2-3 bowls, it will last longer than other pads I've used.

Flexing breaks the resin that holds the grit, so when you have flex, it will shed, and not last as long.  I sand with a flex shaft, so I don't need much flex in a disk at all. I have support from the toolrest, just as I do with a gouge, and keep perhaps 2/10 ( e.g. 8:00 to 10:00 o'clock) of the disk and 1/8" or so in from the edge in contact inside.  By skewing, you can get a 2" disk into some pretty tight curves.   If you have a small radius curve to work with, you may find the flex version handy, but not as long-lasting.  For sanding outside, on the convex surface, I favor the center rather than the edge, so extending my disk life.

[SceneryMaker]

Try:
http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/back-up-pads/,
http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/firm-and-s...face-pads/,
and http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/blue-flex-discs/

Vince has disks, backing pads, and what he calls inner face pads. I really like them.

[DFJarvie]

I just bought a bunch of paper from 2Sand.com. The prices were great and it t seems to be good quality paper. I bought the 2 inch kit with paper and the paper lasted pretty long and the pad held up well.

[Arlin Eastman]

I now will make my own after seeing this a few months ago and will use knee pads which Menards sells.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44HICpHgqg

I hope this helps everyone else here as well.