ETSC 2 150 Coming unstuck

[Jamie G]

Hi All

I’m hoping someone can help.

I have an ETSC 2 150 and am using the 3M Cubitron discs with it… and they just don’t stick. Nor does the Mirka Abrinet for that matter.

Has anyone else had this problem and is there a solution?

I am currently Sanding some very old beams that have been stripped and, as you can imagine, this is hard work having to hold the sander upside down to get the bottom of the beams done and then when the discs keep flying off

I have cleaned the sanders pad numerous times - even tried double sided tape and nothing seems to work. The discs keep flying!

I understand that Festool use a proprietary hook and loop type system but there must be some sort of interface pad that keeps 3rd party discs on.

Thank you in advance for any help and advice.

Jamie.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Yes, you absolutely must use the protector/interface pads when using mesh discs or the velcro tabs can wear out badly on the pad!

The video on this page shows it in use: https://www.festool.com.au/protecti...Eazu6DUBp1_dd26xJAh8Is6a4HEooQ4oCgEl3_1wdl1cx

I use a lot of Cubitron and have no issue with them sticking with the protector pad on. It might be that your velcro on the pad is now damaged. Although it might still be good enough for the protection pad to adhere well enough to allow use of the mesh discs.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I feel your frustration.

The Festool pad has short prongs so designed to promote flat sanding. Similarly the 3M Cubitron disks have a thin mesh to promote flat sanding. Together the stiction is adequate for sanding broad surfaces that allow the full diameter of the sanding pad to be in contact with the work but might fail to keep the disc engaged when the sander is running off the edge of the work frequently. You might need to use a smaller diameter sander with these discs in this application.

There is an interface pad that might help but unfortunately the pad adds substantial “softness” to the whole business resulting in slightly rounded edges compared to the straight disk on sander sandwich so it’s best used on broad flat surfaces.

 

[onocoffee]

Yep, there it is.

I think this may be a ritual that new Festool users have to go through. I did. Sadly, it's Easter so your dealer is probably closed, but you'll need to spend the $57 to replace the sanding pad - and buy the protection pad set as well. I think the protection pads are $18 for two. Use the protection pads anytime you use a mesh abrasive like Xtract, AbraNet or GranatNet.

 

[Cheese]

I have an ETSC 2 150 and am using the 3M Cubitron discs with it… and they just don’t stick. Nor does the Mirka Abrinet for that matter.

Are the Cubitron discs paper/film backed or mesh/net backed? First photo is film backed 2nd photo is net backed.
The film backed Cubitron discs do not need a protection pad, while the net backed version does need a protection pad. If you've been using the net backed sanding discs without a protection pad, it could well be the case that you've already seriously damaged the ETSC 2 sanding pad and then the only solution is to replace it with a new one and also install a protection pad.

Photos #3 & #4 show that an ETSC 2 can be used with Cubitron film backed discs without a protection pad.

 

[Jamie G]

Hi

Thanks so much for your message. I’ve been a total idiot!

I’ve been using the Cubitron mesh discs and I’ve no idea why I didn’t think of this, I’ve also got a Rotex 150 and have used the mesh discs on that for a couple of years… but with a protection pad… just didn’t even occur to me to put one on the ETS.

Once again, thank you. All is now fine.

 

[Jamie G]

Hi

Thanks so much for your message. I’ve been a total idiot!

I’ve been using the Cubitron mesh discs and I’ve no idea why I didn’t think of this, I’ve also got a Rolex 150 and have used the mesh discs on that for a couple of years… but with a

Yep, there it is.

I think this may be a ritual that new Festool users have to go through. I did. Sadly, it's Easter so your dealer is probably closed, but you'll need to spend the $57 to replace the sanding pad - and buy the protection pad set as well. I think the protection pads are $18 for two. Use the protection pads anytime you use a mesh abrasive like Xtract, AbraNet or GranatNet.

thank you.

 

[Jamie G]

Hi

Thanks so much for your message. I’ve been a total idiot!

I’ve been using the Cubitron mesh discs and I’ve no idea why I didn’t think of this, I’ve also got a Rolex 150 and have used the mesh discs on that for a couple of years… but with a

thank you.

Weirdly, I’m not a new Festool user and I have a Rotex with a protection pad…I was just being an idiot.

 

[Steve1]

You can readily buy a replacement pad.
Made in hard, soft and super soft.
You can do an internet search or e-mail festool, but my ETSEC 125-3 came standard with the "soft" pad.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

In addition to the protection pad...and even when using standard abrasives...don't be pressing down hard while sanding other than the little bit sometimes necessary for shaping. Let the sander and the abrasive to the work. Why? Pressing down hard increases heat from friction which in turn does not nice things to the plastic hooks that hold the abrasives. Our brains sometimes make it seem logical that pressing down hard makes sanding work better, but, that's just not the case.