Sanding Discs - Which ones?

[Rod]

I need to buy some sanding discs. (I have a Bosch random orbital sander

- as recommended here.)

Having a look around the usual suspects, I found (prices very approximate, grits may vary!):

Hermes 125mm Disc Velcro Backed Multi-Hole Abrasive at around 50p each

Self Adhesive Abrasive Discs 125mm at around 26p each

Velcro Backed Abrasive Discs 125mm (8 Hole) at around 60p each

Titan Sanding Discs Punched 120 Grit 125mm Pack of 10 at around 30p each

Norton Sanding Grip Disc 125mm 120 Grit Pack of 10 at around 45p each

Bah - I am getting confused by the value/quality equations. OK - so not a fortune to be saved, but I hate discs that turn a few times before being clogged up. And I hate paying twice as much for no advantage.

Any opinions? What are the special merits of the more expensive ones? (Yes - I have read the descriptions but they are not that convincing. Real experience is what I want to hear.) I don't have particularly demanding uses - just paint preparation, ordinary wood, etc.

[George]

Alluminium Oxide disc reduces clogging,however they're more expensive disc.

Lidl sold packs of 20 last week,various grades and type at £2.99 and is worth buying 3 packs.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Only 3? I bought 10. ;-)

[The Medway Handyman]

> Bosch Velcro Backed Abrasive Discs 125mm (8 Hole) at around 60p each >

I've used the Screwfix ones (now branded Titan) pretty extensively on wood and not had a problem, they seem to last OK.

Bosch don't make sanding discs AFAIK just stick their name on them.

Norton are the big brand name & mid priced, buy a pack & give them a try.

[George]

Well ok,as any as you think is worth while.

I bought 12 packs. :-P after all they're cheaper than the sheds ludicrus prices.

[Bob Minchin]

Before bulk buying, remember to get ones with the right number of holes! DAMHIKT!

Bob

[Rod]

Appreciated - but nearest Lidl is too far to be worth going specially (even if it was last week IYSWIM).

[The Medway Handyman]

I made up a handy little jig a while ago for sanding discs, saw it in a woodworking mag.

Essencially a piece of scrap 18mm ply about 7" x 7". Place sanding disc on top & mark holes.

Drill & fix short dowels into holes.

In use, you place a 240 grit, then 120, then 80, then 60 disc over the dowels. Just pushing the base of the ROS over the dowels lines the disc up perfectly. When initial sanding with 60 grit is finished, remove disc, push sander down over dowels & pick up 80 grit disc etc.

[Rod]

I had been vaguely thinking about a simplistic single-sheet/disc version. But you have played trumps with that much better and more comprehensive idea. Must make one. Thanks.

Do you find you needed to populate all the holes with dowels or would it work with, say, two or four?

[The Medway Handyman]

Alas not my idea, saw it in a magazine.

I think I made mine with all the holes, but four should work. If you take a little care making it up the holes and the edge line up perfectly

I'll dig mine out later & post a picky.

[George]

Good ide that batman. :-)

So basically we can improve that design a little by making... A holding board for three or four different grades of disc and also the short dowl jig disc placer The dowls for holding the disc in different grades will be about 5" long and place the different discs over the dowls. :-) Sorta like a rack for the disc.

[George]

Gawd! forgot my invention which was similair to this.

Basically I routed out a hole the size of the sanding disc pad(used it a a guide for size)in a piece of MDFand then you place disc in hole and put sander in hole and hey presto perfectly aligned disc.

[Andy Dingley]

Buy the very best quality you can find. At any price. The good stuff works and lasts far better than the cheap stuff. It's a god investment.

Hermes (blue in all shapes) is good, Hiomant (yellow rolls from Screwfix) is good. Hermes magic-coated blue is even better and their ultra-flexible J-cloth backing is amazing.

Buy a wide range of grits. You're going to use more than one pack, so buy early and give yourself choices.

Avoid poor glues, or anything that smells fishy. Avoid beige or dark brown grits (unless it's real old garnet).

CSM Just Abrasives is my favourite supplier (ask for their vast paper catalogue too) but Axminster carry good ones too. Screwfix are OK for hand or 1/2 sheet rolls but their disks are poor (and they don't carry stock in half the brands they list).

[The Medway Handyman]

It was just 4 dowels

one is OT, cos I'm a proud Dad :-)

[George]

Them pegs look a little high,placing my sander over them wouldn't be able to pick the disc up.

[Rod]

Thanks Mr Medway! Looks eminently achievable - once I get some suitable dowel.

You look a bit younger than I expected. :-)

George, depends how many discs you have stacked up, doesn't it? :-)

[George]

Well the penny dropped :-) but on saying that I don't know how many MH can pick up before having to stack it up again?

[The Medway Handyman]

Thats my daughter - twit!

[Dave]

What's she doing in the left hand seat?

Dave

[Rod]

Oh yes. :-) Quite close to a swashplate.