EYS150/5 Soft pad...mangled. Normal?

[Df1k1]

I purchased this sander about five years ago. I am a home hobbyist fortunate enough to have a air conditioned shop. I don’t use the sander a lot but I would say it’s definitely been used. When I purchased it I did not understand the difference between hard pad and soft pad. Most of my sanding has been on shop built cabinets etc.
Anyway, I was using it last week when the sander started acting wonky. I looked down and the pad had completely come off the sander and for lack of a better term the pad had turned to mush where it connects to the body of the unit.
Please don’t misunderstand I’m not complaining. I know tools don’t last forever. I went out and purchased a brand new hard and soft pad.  But it just seemed odd the way it’s sort of disintegrated especially given the conditions of my shop.  Is this normal?

 

[peter halle]

I purchased this sander about five years ago. I am a home hobbyist fortunate enough to have a air conditioned shop. I don’t use the sander a lot but I would say it’s definitely been used. When I purchased it I did not understand the difference between hard pad and soft pad. Most of my sanding has been on shop built cabinets etc.
Anyway, I was using it last week when the sander started acting wonky. I looked down and the pad had completely come off the sander and for lack of a better term the pad had turned to mush where it connects to the body of the unit.
Please don’t misunderstand I’m not complaining. I know tools don’t last forever. I went out and purchased a brand new hard and soft pad.  But it just seemed odd the way it’s sort of disintegrated especially given the conditions of my shop.  Is this normal?

The foam in the pads do degrade over time.  A few months ago all four of my sanders did it at the same time.  The pads were old.

Peter

 

[PeterK]

Most of the pads have a white base foam that slowly turns yellowish over time. Weirdly all my Festool pads go bad at about the same time. Never knew if it was atmospheric or time caused. My Porter Cable sander did it also so this is not exclusive to Festool.

 

[Df1k1]

Good to know. Just found it odd. Love that sander!

 

[Cheese]

I've yet to have a Festool pad give out but I'm sure it will happen. I have had both Porter Cable and Dewalt pads turn to a sticky, gooey mush.

 

[leakyroof]

I've killed a softpad with a Rotex, so it's not just time that takes them out, heat is a factor too.
The LS 130 pads are even more known for falling apart in your Systainer. The change of color is a big clue as to where they are in their lifespan, but as others noted ,once the pad is made, the clock starts ticking on them.
I've gotten luckier than some since many of my pads never leave my basement, and I'm convinced that the year round lower temps compared to Summer Ambient help prolong their lives a little bit.
Eventually I'm sure I'm going to open up a Systainer soon and find a mess attached to the sander... [scared] [scared] [embarassed] [embarassed]

 

[xedos]

Poly foam and Florida do not mix.  I'm surprised you got five years out of it.