Made Pad For Milwaukee Orbital Sander

[Model 12]

Milwaukee 6010 Orbital Sander got discontinued years ago. Same with the parts. Last month, the factory installed Pad gave out. I had a new one stashed away carefully. But the years were not kind to it. The thing fell apart not five minutes into sanding. Left with no other choice, I made my own. I decided not to risk that mystery red fabric just yet. I got some 10mm thick foam neoprene with a little give to it. Not nearly as soft as in the original pad. Bonded 1mm hard neoprene over that with special multipurpose 3M adhesive. Drilled access holes for screws. Bonded in turn to the Steel Plate with the same thing I use for metal to wood. Trimmed neoprene to size and attached the works to the sander. I tested today. Did real well with sanding. Bonds are holding up.

[Bill Houghton]

Neat.

Remember mouse pads?  I've wondered for some years whether one of those would be the right material for a sander pad.

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. I remember mouse pads because I still use one! It helps with the mouse that I use!!

[lptools]

Hello, Model 12. Nice job on the repair!!

[Model 12]

Thanks fellas. Yeah Mouse Pads. I wonder if it'd be cost effective enough to cut a Mouse Pad from the sheet of neoprene.
The thing that surprised me is how it seems better than the real OEM. Seems faster at removing the surface. Because of the extra thickness it is a stretch to get the 1/2 sheet on there, but it's doable.

[Model 12]

Update for anyone else who owns one of these old Milwaukee Sanders. I was concerned about the Neoprene holding up, so I looked into alternatives to that Red material that came with OEM. I eventually learned, in fact I was told by someone knowledgeable, that I should try to rescue the Red material and use that. It separated off about as easy as peeling a tangerine. Bonded it on. I don't know what his Red stuff is, but it sure seems indestructible.