How to Maintain Random Orbital Sanders
Orbital sanders are handheld sanders that use a sticky-back or hook and loop sandpaper pads to hold round pieces of sandpaper. As you hold the orbital sander against the wood surface, the pad spins and rotates in an oblong pattern to sand the surface. This reduces the number of tool marks on the wood surface. Orbital sanders produce a large amount of dust. To keep your orbital sander in top working condition you must maintain it after every use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Compressed air
- Screwdriver
- Replacement sanding pad
- Naphtha
- Rags
- Hard shell case
Instructions
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1
Remove the dust collector bag and empty it. Most dust collector bags press onto the dust tube. After emptying the bag, blow it clean using compressed air.
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2
Remove the sticky-back or hook and loop sand paper from the sanding pad. Sticky-back paper can gum up the surface of the sanding pad and cause imperfections in the wood surface the next time you sand.
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3
Inspect the pad for imperfections. Often the edges of the pad wear out and become bumpy. If you notice excessive wear on the pad, remove the countersunk screws that hold the pad to the sander and replace the pad with a new one.
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4
Blow off the orbital sander with compressed air. Blow out the vents for the motor to ensure you clean all of the wood dust out of the motor.
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5
Wipe the plastic housing of the orbital sander off with a rag wetted with naphtha. Naphtha is a fast drying chemical that cleans the dirt off the plastic.
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6
Place the orbital sander and the dust collector in the hard-shell case you got when you purchased the sander and store it in a dry location until you use it next.
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Tips & Warnings
If you use your sander primarily for surface sanding you will not change the pad often but if you contour sand with your sander and you use the edge of the sanding pad a lot, you will change the pad often.
