Good to know.

[Christopher Fitch]

Festool Sander pads can just (for lack of a better word) disintegrate.

 

[peter halle]

Unfortunately they can.  They are a consumable and many factors can come into play with their demise.

Hopefully you got some enjoyment out of that pad!

Peter

 

[awil66]

Of course they can. Luckily replacements are readily available. What were you sanding though, because I myself haven't seen that type of failure. Usually the bottom of the interface pad gets done in.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=8pt]

. . . . .  Usually the bottom of the interface pad gets done in.

[size=13pt]
Yes and sometimes very rapidily and usually by idiots such as myself who forget to attach a sanding disc!  [eek] You only make this mistake once.

 

[leakyroof]

I've actually melted the black plastic over doing it while sanding with my RO 150.

 

[Christopher Fitch]

Just sanding some wood in preparation for painting - 120 Grit...etc etc.
I expected the Hook and Loop to give out long before something like that.

Pads are $40...seems steep to me. Oh well.

 

[antss]

^^^ it is.

But then FT consumables have always been higher priced in comparison.

 

[semenza]

How old was the pad. That can be a factor too even just sitting unused.

Seth

 

[Naildrivingman]

Festool Sander pads can just (for lack of a better word) disintegrate.

Not to hijack your thread, but did you clearcoat the top of your MFT?

 

[PeterK]

Went to use my DTS 400 A couple weeks ago and the pad fell apart in my hands when I went to remove the sandpaper. It had sat unused for about 2 years. Started checking my other sanders and they all needed pad replacements including my PC333. Was thinking it was maybe from chemical vapors in the shop. Weird how the foam pad behind the Velcro just disintegrates and all about the same time. I use my ES150 and 125 sanders frequently and both needed new pads at the same time. Sold a couple RO sanders and had to replace the pads on them as well.

The Festool pads had the foam turn yellowish before falling apart. Think this is the key thing to look out for as an indicator of needing to order replacements.

 

[leakyroof]

Went to use my DTS 400 A couple weeks ago and the pad fell apart in my hands when I went to remove the sandpaper. It had sat unused for about 2 years. Started checking my other sanders and they all needed pad replacements including my PC333. Was thinking it was maybe from chemical vapors in the shop. Weird how the foam pad behind the Velcro just disintegrates and all about the same time. I use my ES150 and 125 sanders frequently and both needed new pads at the same time. Sold a couple RO sanders and had to replace the pads on them as well.

The Festool pads had the foam turn yellowish before falling apart. Think this is the key thing to look out for as an indicator of needing to order replacements.

. Yes, that color change has been noted by others. I've heard LS130 pads are the ones to watch out for the most due to their thicker foam.
.

 

[Cheese]

Went to use my DTS 400 A couple weeks ago and the pad fell apart in my hands when I went to remove the sandpaper.

I've had the same thing happen to Milwaukee & Dewalt sanders. As soon as you touch the pad, it crumbles in your hand and it either turns to dust or to goo. I always assumed it had something to do with the toluene that's used to produce the foam in the manufacturing process.

I haven't experienced this yet with my Festool sanders, however, the foam pads are changing to a very light yellow hue. [tongue]

 

[Christopher Fitch]

Yes...just a coat of shellac (maybe two?). Not enough to make it smooth but enough to add a bit of protection. Glue, etc just pops off. Works great...

Festool Sander pads can just (for lack of a better word) disintegrate.

Not to hijack your thread, but did you clearcoat the top of your MFT?

 

[Naildrivingman]

Yes...just a coat of shellac (maybe two?). Not enough to make it smooth but enough to add a bit of protection. Glue, etc just pops off. Works great...

Festool Sander pads can just (for lack of a better word) disintegrate.

Not to hijack your thread, but did you clearcoat the top of your MFT?

I used marine polyurethane on mine. I did get a few runs down some of the holes that I had to ream out, but other than that I am glad I coated it.

 

[nickao]

That's weird I actually get very long use out of my pads. I do always change to hard pads right away, wonder if they are longer lasting because I only replaced my RO 150 maybe 3 times(and that includes the day I bought it so really "replaced" twice) in 8 years and I use it daily.