ETS 125 - Sandpaper clogging where the 4 screws of the pad are

[juano]

I just got an ETS 125 that I was planning to use for brightwork sanding between coats of varnish. I am using Brilliant  p320 at low speed.

The problem I am getting is that the sandpaper clogs right where the holes for the 4 screws in the pad are. It clogs very quickly and the clogged varnish dust leaves wide marks on the rest of the work. Any ideas?

I couldn't attach an inline image, so I attached a file of the sanding disk.

Thanks for any advice,

Juan

 

[Theshipstore]

Not sure what might be the problem but how high is the suction on the dust extractor. For the ETS 125 I have always set my midi it just above the lowest suction and have had no similar problem

Sal

 

[juano]

I wasn't using my mini extractor at the time (it's at the boat and these are pieces I am varnishing at home), only the paper bag attachment that came with the ETS. Do you think that might have been the issue?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Isn't that the old style sandpaper?

 

[festoolviking]

Hi!

Have you tried using an interface pad? Do you think that might make a difference? Or maybe that's making it too soft? If you have one it might be worth a try.

Festoolviking

 

[Theshipstore]

I have used the bag attachment only once and the dust collection was real bad, I would try with the mini and see what you get

Sal

 

[davee]

I agree that using the vacuum address your issue.  The bag attachment is slightly better than nothing, but not much in my opinion. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Isn't that the old style sandpaper?

I don't believe the 125mm abrasives have the another hole pattern.

I also agree that the vac might help.

 

[mouppe]

Is it possible that the finish is not yet fully cured? It certainly is a very unusual problem. I use Brilliant 220 and 320 all the time with my ETS 125 on high speed and have never seen a problem like that, although with shellac if it is not fully dry when I sand, it can look similar.

That is normal-looking 125 paper.

 

[juano]

Thank you all. I will try with the mini and report if the issue re-occur.

@Richard: The varnish had cured for 2 full days. It is perhaps not fully cured, but I think it should sand without issues. Yet, I don't have much experience varnishing, so I may be wrong. If you believe that it is not enough curing time to power sand please let me know, I will be happy to learn from your experience.

@Festoolviking: I will try the interface pad on a piece that I use for testing. The actual pieces are flat, so I prefer a firmer pad. I think it gives me a better looking finish.