Replies

1. 
   GACC_DAllas | Mar 15, 2001 11:44pm | #1

   *
   David,

   Forget hook and loop. Get the PC replacement pad so you can use the stick-on type of pad. Save yourself a bundle. I'm assuming that PC makes the stick-on replacement pad for that particular sander. A quick call to your local PC dealer will answer that.

   Ed. Williams

1. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 16, 2001 12:08am | #2

   *Ditto Ed. I use PSA pads for my P-C RO sanders, which outlast any H&L I've tried and they stay on til you're ready to replace them.

1. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Mar 16, 2001 12:15am | #3

   *Totally disagree with the first two guys; they're mad....it's a shame. We've debated this before, but I'm firmly in the hook and loop party; I believe it gives a better finish (on wood....no idea about drywall), and it works out way cheaper for me than PSA. Anyway, not drywall related, but I needed to stop the madness before it spread.

1. 
   Allyson_Stiles | Mar 16, 2001 01:21am | #4

   *Adrian,Do you even own a Porter Cable drywall sander? We do, and I have to agree 100% with the first two guys here. I've seen the replaceable stick-ons (haven't tried those yet), but they are the same as the regular pads (other than you're only buying the sandpaper itself) and I can sand anywhere from 400 -1,000 sheets without replacing.(Depends on who finishs most of the drywall). BEAUTIFUL finish.Billy

1. 
   Allyson_Stiles | Mar 16, 2001 01:22am | #5

   *I think I will start using the replaceable pads as it will save money.Billy

2. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Mar 16, 2001 03:41am | #6

   *Yeah, I shouldn't have said anything...don't have a drywall sander. But the PSA/ hook and loop thing comes up a lot....both of the guys that posted are in cabinets/trim, like me, and I slipped back into a more general discussion; Frank in fact stated he was talking about a random orbit sander, and I assumed Ed was too. As far as random orbits go, I'm sticking with my opinion. I'll shut up about drywall sanders.

3. 
   Allyson_Stiles | Mar 16, 2001 04:02am | #7

   *Adrian, I didn't mean to sound ignorant. In fact you are right, just not about the drywall sander. We don't just do drywall, we also do most everything else also. The bulk of our work comes from new custom homes, remodeling here and there and some commercial. So I see your point, just not in this situation. Sorry if I sounded like a jerk or know it all.Billy

4. 
   Joseph_Fusco | Mar 16, 2001 04:39am | #8

   *Frank,

   It's odd how people can see things differently. Early on I changed all my (except for my 1/2 sheet PC 505) PSA to H&L and have never thought twice about it. I find that the pads last longer with the H&L then PSA and that makes them a better value in my opinion.

   View Image © 1999-2001"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

5. 
   Frank_DuVal | Mar 16, 2001 04:49am | #9

   *The big plus for hook & loop is when you need to change the grit of the sandpaper before the sandpaper is worn out. The piece you take off can fall in the dust, just wipe it off and reattach when that grit is needed again. This is very cost saving in the autobody field. In drywall you probably do not need to change grits often, so it isn't an issue.Frank DuVal

6. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Mar 16, 2001 12:47pm | #10

   *No, you were right...I got distracted and wasn't addressing the question. Slapping my own wrist as I type.

7. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 16, 2001 03:01pm | #11

   *Joe,Do you use any particular brand of H&L? The only ones I've used are the ones made by P-C and what usually happens is there will still be some useable grit remaining on the pad, but the pad won't stay on sander.

8. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 16, 2001 03:19pm | #12

   *Where's Blodgett when you need him?

9. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 16, 2001 03:28pm | #13

   *I'm the one who should have kept my mouth shut. I don't have a drywall sander nor any knowledge of one. One other thing I will say about the R/O sanders is that the PSA discs I've been using are made by Norton, and they do seem to wear out quickly.

10. 
    Adrian_Wilson | Mar 16, 2001 10:09pm | #14

    *Try SIA; they're Swedish (the Swedish sandpaper and wood finish companies work together a lot; I think they're the best in the world, especially the finishes). Ekamant is another Swedish company, but they wear quite fast.

11. 
    Dave_Richeson | Mar 16, 2001 10:43pm | #15

    *Billy; I have PC drywall sander that is 4-5 years old. I haven't done enough dw to go through my orginal pads that I puchased with it. The ones I bought back then have a foam backing on them. Has PC changed the pad? I have two dw jobs coming up and I am down to (2) 120s' and (3) 100 grit pads. What is the ball park cost of the retro fit to hook and loopDave

12. 
    Allyson_Stiles | Mar 16, 2001 11:03pm | #16

    *Dave, The pads you're referring to are what I currently use. I don't remember the price of the retrofit other than I know it was cheaper. It's still basically the foam pad type, just that the paper peels off and is replaceable. (If I remember correctly). I am now thinking to switch myself, but I don't yhink it will make a big difference to me one way or the other.Billy

13. 
    Dave_Richeson | Mar 17, 2001 12:00am | #17

    *I checked the price at Tool Crib and the standard pads are $32.oo for 5 of any grit. Sticker shock! I paid a little over $4.00 each when I bought mine. I'll call my local supplier tomorrow and post thier price. I'll also see if they know of the retro fit kit and its' price.Dave

14. 
    Allyson_Stiles | Mar 17, 2001 12:03am | #18

    *Yea, the $4-5.00 sounds about right for me also.Billy

15. 
    Joseph_Fusco | Mar 17, 2001 01:48am | #19

    *Frank,

    I use PC, Norton's or 3M. You might try "blowing" the pad off with some air or vacuuming it. That's what I do if the paper won't grab.

    View Image © 1999-2001"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

16. 
    Frank_DuVal | Mar 17, 2001 01:58am | #20

    *Adrian:I used SIA paper H & L for several years in the auto body business and it was great! It was the only sandpaper that gave 3M a run for my money. Then one day (1997), the supply dried up. Do you have a current supplier for SIA? I know several shops around here that may go back to SIA if it is available.Frank DuVal

17. 
    L._Siders | Mar 17, 2001 02:11am | #21

    *I vote for H&L here. I just ordered 2 boxes of 220 grit. (50 to a box) They cost me about $16 a box. I get mine from a cabinet makers supply. I also just changed the hooks on my 2 bosch R/A sanders. Got the hook & loop kit from Lowes. Anyone living in central Illinois or the St. Louis area wanting the phone # of Compi Distributors let me know. Larry Siders I think the brand name of the paper is Mirko.(Swedish)

18. 
    Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 17, 2001 03:28am | #22

    *Thanks Joe,I still have a few new H&L pads and a brand new H&L base. I may give it another try.

19. 
    Adrian_Wilson | Mar 17, 2001 01:52pm | #23

    *Frank;They aren't hard to find around here, even the DIY places have it....I generally get paper from my finish supplier (but not right now, as i don't like the brand they were carrying), you might try there. There must be a SIA America or something like that. If you get stuck, drop me a line and I'll get the SIA rep to come up with a name. I don't actually buy a lot; I still have stock in some grits I brought with me five or six years ago when I moved here....one of the reasons I like hook and loop, the mileage.

2. 
   David_Bradley | Mar 17, 2001 01:54pm | #24

   *
   I am looking for a source for hook and loop sandpaper. Our company just purchased a PC drywall sander which works great except for the fact that the sanding disck work out to being close to five bucks apiece