Wait! Don't throw out those sanding discs

[MushCreek]

Maybe everyone already knows this tip. I'm sanding, sanding, sanding on the boat I'm building, and was lamenting the pile of spent 5" sanding discs. I noticed that they really only wear out at the edges, with the center being almost like new. I had an idea, so I stuck one on my oscillating multi-tool sander, and trimmed it to fit the triangular shape. It works perfect! Boats have a lot of areas where a detail sander is what you need, so they'll get used. Probably only saves a few pennies, but when pennies are all ya got, they're worth saving.

 

[driftpin]

The guys at the collision shop I frequent, owned by a friend, trim discs all the time for other abrasive shapes.

 

[david3921]

Also can be done with grinding disks...the paper backed ones. Used to metal finished cases after MIG weld with 7" air grinders. After spent, we sent them to another area that had a die that cut them down to 5" disks. Some liked to use the 7" while others liked the 5". Saved a lot as we never had to order 5".

 

[tarbellb]

Have you ever tried the mesh style, after using it I will never go back to traditional paper back sanding pads. Better performance and no kidding, at least 3-4x the life compared to paper. Once it clogs you peel it off, roll it up like a cigar, pops out all the debris and its like new again.

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