Refund at Home Depot

[Nowater]

A while ago I bought a Ridgid oscillating sander and a full assortment of sandpaper to fit it. I went to use some Norton 4 x 24 coarse (60 grit) belts, and all three fell apart at the glue line. If you have never had a sanding belt fail, let me tell you they come apart with a load pop!

These belts failed within two minutes of being used. When the third one failed, I thought I'm not taking the loss on this and decided to return them to Home Depot. When I got there, the returns cashier didn't want to exchange the belts, because Home Depot no longer sells them.

When I explained I had purchased a full line of abrasives when I bought the sander, she called someone from the tools department, and they agree to an exchange even though they no longer sell Norton.

The new brand is Diablo, and that size belt comes in a two pack-so I settled on a two pack replacement. A two pack is better than a no-pack in my opinion.

Anyone else have a similar experience with Norton branded products? I used to think they were the best, now I am not so sure. At least my hat is off to Home Depot for making good on the sandpaper.

 

[dieselgarage]

It's a common issue with all brands as the glue gets old. We have all our grinding supplies on VMI and if the route guys does not do a good job with FIFO we have seen issues on many different types of grinding supplies that include glue in the manufacturing process.

 

[factorten]

I've always had good luck with Norton products. It just sounds like old stock plus you didn't say how long "awhile ago" you bought it originally.

Plus kudos to Home Depot for exchanging them for you when they could have been a-holes and told you no.

 

[rlitman]

Yep. +1 to everything above. Norton makes excellent abrasives, but the glue seams do not last forever on belts. They get worse with age, and if they sat on the shelf for a bunch of years before HD sold them, that explains the issue.

 

[Falcon67]

I was disappointed to find out that HD isn't carrying Norton stuff. Noticed that about 2 weeks ago when I was looking for replacement 4x36 belts. Norton is USA made and usually good quality. Lowes lists Norton on the web site but zero in stock locally. Northern also carries them.

And here by the case?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Norton-Metalite-Benchstand-Coated-Cotton-Belts-4x36-60x-metalite-r228-belt-tj-singlefl-Set-of-20/15671713?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=15671713&sourceid=1500000000000003260430&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0={matchtype}&wl1={network}&wl2={ifmobile:m}&wl3=21486607510&wl4={aceid}&wl5=pla&veh=sem

 

[SlowAl]

I had an odd situation with Norton's hook and loop discs. They work great for a while, but then the hook (or is it the loop?) part on the disc stops working and refuses to stick to the backing disc of the sander. I got these at home depot as well.

I switched to Mirka discs and haven't had the problem since.

 

[crewchief888]

when i was at HD this morning getting some 4 1/2" cutoff wheels, i noticed they no longer have any norton or dewalt brand abrasive products

diablo, and another brand,(that escapes me right now)

the cutoff wheels i bought were less expensive than the dewalt's i had been buying, and so far seem to be on par with the dewalt blades.