Festool 203351 Interface Sanding Pad

[rvieceli]

Let me say that I do not have a good relationship with this pad. This is the thicker soft interface pad by in 150mm size. I use one on almost every piece I produce. It really helps to get a good sanded finish on a convex surface.

Here’s the reasons I’m not happy with this foam pad. It’s expensive usually around $30 or so. You have to be EXTREMELY careful when removing the sandpaper or the hook portion will rip off the foam.  Sometimes I think if you just look at it wrong it separates.  [mad]

If you do somehow manage to not tear it up then the velour on the back decides to not stick to the sander pad anymore and you sail it across the shop.  [eek]

So I have been looking for alternatives. There are several options for a regular 6 hole paper but until recently there weren’t good choices for the Festool 6 inch hole pattern.

I noticed a couple of choices on Amazon and grabbed one to test. I think they come out of the same Chinese factory though.

These imports have nailed the hole pattern they fit up properly. Size is good as well. These clock in at 12mm thick. The real Festool one is 3 or 4mm thicker but the 12mm ones work as well

The bonus is that they are currently selling for under $10  One is 9.89 and the other is 7.59

If you use these and dislike them as much as I do you may want to give the alternatives a try
https://www.amazon.com/Toromp-Thick...a_1_5_sspa?crid=3JESZALX5HHW&keywords=sanding+pad+6&qid=1689021412&sprefix=sanding+pad+6%2Caps%2C319&sr=8-5-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfbXRm&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Interface-Fe..._s_a_1_6?crid=1OP7FJ6NWE8EL&keywords=RUIHONGV+pad&qid=1689021764&sprefix=ruihongv+pad%2Caps%2C301&sr=8-6

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Ron

 

[Packard]

I bought my foam interface pad in 5” diameter from Amazon.com.  It does not seem to be a highly engineered product.  The foam density feels about right.  The Velcro is more tenacious than I would like, but not a problem.  The holes align for dust collection.  They were 2 for $12.00.  Other sizes were available.

Is there anything special about the Festool version?

 

[Coen]

Doesn't it defeat the purpose to have a thinner pad when sanding convex surfaces?

 

[rvieceli]

[member=8955]Coen[/member] the 12mm thick generic pads work as well for the shapes I’m sanding. 3mm doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal. If I think I might need more I could always stack them.

My biggest problem with the Festool ones is that they tend to come apart for me when I’m trying to change sand paper.

These new generic ones have hole pattern down Pat for dust collection.
Ron

 

[Coen]

Current version of 203351 also has the full patern. But it seems they updated the pad while keeping the same number...

 

[Michael Kellough]

Slip the blunt thin end of a letter opener between the soft pad and the drive pad’s Velcro. Or putty knife.