How to change SANDING PAD on New Brushless Sander ETS EC125/3

[largeal]

New Random Orbital Sander models come with a Hex wrench, I am trying to figure out how to LOCK the PAD whilst loosening the attaching Bolt to change to a hard Pad?
Anyone know the technique to Change pads?

 

[Peter_C]

Lock it with your hand. The hex screw should not be very tight.

 

[AlexThePalex]

When the ETS sanders come from the factory, the pad can be screwed on very tight. But there's no lock, just your grip.

 

[largeal]

Thanks Gents!
The bolt is VERY tight. I'll have to get tougher with it. It's so tight that it's actually hard to keep the pad from turning when applying force to loosen the bolt, which is why I inquired.

 

[Peter_C]

Clamp with your thighs? Hold it between your hands and have a partner break the hex loose? Use an impact!

 

[largeal]

thanks- maybe seated using my legs is a good physical approach.

 

[rst]

Situations like this is why I love my 12V Milwaukee inpact driver...strong enough to loosen... not so powerful to strip!!

 

[Birdhunter]

Standard right hand screw?

 

[largeal]

I was wondering about it possibly NOT having a right hand tightening screw. Anyone who ones this model sander care to chime in about the Bolt tightening to the right?

...and yes, wish i had an impact gun now.

 

[Peter_C]

I was wondering about it possibly NOT having a right hand tightening screw. Anyone who ones this model sander care to chime in about the Bolt tightening to the right?

...and yes, wish i had an impact gun now.

Edit: It will come off counter clockwise.

You could also try pinning it against a work bench to hold the pad.

Impact gun from Milwaukee for a pretty good deal from HD. I keep thinking I will buy one once I have an excuse. I can't imagine NOT owning a cordless impact. Mine gets used for everything.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-1-2-in-Hammer-Drill-Driver-and-Impact-Combo-Kit-2597-22/204848126

 

[sae]

If you cross reference the part number from the EKAT (485802), it's actually the same for a bunch of sanders, RO 150 included.

Soooo, is your RO 150 reverse threaded?

 

[largeal]

I just hunkered down and got the bolt and pad off. It does loosen *Counter Clockwise*, standard threading.
The pad is soft and that makes it difficult to HOLD still while applying force to the bolt, but it did break loose.
Thanks for the helpful comments to all.

 

[chrisrosenb]

The first time I removed the pad from my ETS EC125, I laid it on its side on a workbench. I gripped the up side of the pad while pressing down, pushing the other side of the pad into the bench. I did not tighten it as tight when I put a pad back on.

 

[Kev]

A good trick is to place the pad face down over a hole in a flat surface and undo the bolt from below while applying a little downward pressure on the sander.

 

[mandatory66]

Peter C,
What is the set up or what do I need to use a 12v impact gun on the hex allen wrench. I have all kinds of bits but none to fit the hex wrench that came with my sander. I am having the same problem with my new EC 125. I have tried to remove with the suggestions in this post but none are working.

 

[flair woodworks]

Try immobilizing the Allen wrench that came with the same in a vise and using both hands to turn the pad.

 

[mandatory66]

Just got it loose on my sander,put on gloves,laid it on it's side & grabbed the disk,pushed the Allen wrench down toward the bench.Used all my grunt and it broke free.Will not make it that tight in the future.

 

[Runhard]

So much for "Faster-Easier-Smarter"  ???

Sorry, I couldn't resist  [big grin]

 

[schneems]

Thank you all for this thread. I ran into the same problem. I put an 80 grit pad onto my sander and then placed it on my mft table, then got to the nut from my Milwaukee impact driver. Pressed the sander down onto the table with my body weight, set my driver to the "reverse" position, pulled the trigger on the impact driver, and it came right off. Thanks for the tips, everyone.