Shopsmith Forums

My first and newly acquired MK-5 had an adhesive backed 80 grit paper attached to the 12" disk which took way too much effort to remove. I've seen the SS website selling an upgrade to a hook and loop system. As a new owner I'm not sure if adhesive backed sanding disks are still available. There were not enough reviews on this upgrade, so thought it best to check on this forum.

Heat(solar?) will help remove the psa backed disk.

As for hook/loop opinions vary about their adequacy.

If your acquisition had an age correct version, yes they are very difficult to remove.

Is the disk aluminum? Solvent may be required.

The Sanding Disk Paper that was glued on can be the most difficult to clean off. I have done that many times with my restorations. Remove as much of the paper and grit as possible then solvent can help. Sometime the glue is old and brittle which can be scraped off. Heat can help the PSA disks to come off. They also tend to dislike cold and can "pop" off as temperatures drop. As for the Hook and Loop type, they are much easier to switch between grits but because of the Hook & Loop the Sanding Disk Paper is somewhat padded. That can make a difference depending on what you are using the Sanding Disk for.