I think its either u or the machine. Ive had a Makita orbital hook n loop for damn near a decade n haven't had to replace the pad even once. Just as long as I dont use those Gator sanding discs. They suck n dont stick for shit. U turn it on in the air n it'll go flying off. Try ur local hardware store n try their brand of "house" discs. If u have an Ace hardware,try Aces,they work sweet. If that doesn't work u can always try Lowe's n c what they have. I know theres a ton of sand paper n diff brands of discs n grits n probably a ton of dif abrasives on the paper. Get what works for ur project and is the easiest, n is gonna take off what it needs to the fastest. Just read a cool article about alk that stuff 2day. Even taught me sumthing new. Scrape the " hooks" off ur sander pad or singe em off with a lighter or propane torch, kitchen stove whatever works man. Dont catch it on fire n burn down ur shop or house or nothing crazy. Or buy a good sander. Remember, "You get what u pay for", its cliche, but its mostly true. And I dont use my Makita every day but it gets put thRU the paces around 5-6 times a yr, at least