Ets 125 eq abrasive problem! - Tearing center hole in paper

[CajunmoonDesign]

So I just realized I tear a ton of abrasives in the center hole. It never happens on my RO 150, then I had a revelation that the hole is 1/4 and not the 5/8 like is on the pad! Why would this be? Wouldn't it make sense to have the holes match?

Would love to hear if others have this issue.

Thanks 

 

[Theshipstore]

Although I have not had this issue with my ETS 125, it is a great question to present. I would call Festool customer service and ask if I was you. They might have a viable reason for the smaller center hole size.
I would ask you though are you keeping the DC suction down low when you are using the 125

Sal

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I'm only taking a guess, but the center hole in the pad is made large enough to hold the retaining bolt. The holes in the abrasives are uniform and probably all punched with the same tool. Hence the difference. I've not, to the best of my memory, ever heard of a problem caused by the difference in sizes.

 

[Alan m]

what kind of pad , how old , how good is the hook and loop areound the hole.
what grit and type of paper are you useing
what type of surface are you using.
how do you store the paper, is it flat etc or thrown in a box.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Never had this issue. My sandpaper always tears from the outside or because I hit a nail.

 

[CajunmoonDesign]

OK sorry I wasn't very specific about it. The sander is new (1 month) and I use the rubin paper 50 and 120 grit. I build furniture, mostly tables and when I sand the edges is when the tearing occurs. Its logical that the tearing occurs because there is not a surface present behind the paper. If it was only used on a flat surface I seem to think it wouldn't be a problem. I did call festool and the application specialist did not have a reason for it so he transferred me to another gentlemen who did not know either. He did say he was going to figure out the logic behind it and give me a call back. The reason I am concerned is as soon as the paper gets torn it just gets worse really fast and yesterday I heard a funny sound out of the sander and after further examination noticed that there was a piece of paper that got sucked through the hole and was lodged in the fan part that you can see from the outside.  It seems like festool has most of there designs well thought out I am just curious the reason behind this one. The 6 inch pads are spot on so why not the 5 inch?

Thanks

 

[Timtool]

maybe when you are sanding narrow edges you could place the center hole under or above the surface, or placing it dead on on the center and not going left and right away from it, so the center holme never touches and edge.

i never had this happen on my 125, though as a finish sander i wouldn't use anything under P120 on it.

 

[ajones]

I would try the hard pad for narrow workpeices the problem maybe to much deflection in the pad [2cents]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I would try the hard pad for narrow workpeices the problem maybe to much deflection in the pad [2cents]

Unfortunately there is no hard pad for the ETS 125, only a soft and super soft pad.