Shopsmith Forums

I just bought the Velcro Disc Sanding Fastening System and I have no idea how to attach it to the disc sander. I assumed it would be a peel off thing that I could just stick on but it does not appear to be. I'm sure this is a dumb question but I have searched and searched but it looks like Shopsmith assumes everyone knows how to attach it because there is no mention of it anywhere. Does anyone know? Am I supposed to use the spray-on 3M glue or what?

Thanks!

The velcro system is just that, a system. The sanding discs are velcro backed and they are attached to a "Velcro Conversion Disc" which is self-adhesive on the back and the velcro interface on the other side.

The conversion disc is 555102 and is catalog priced at $16.39.

There is a Velcro Disc Sanding Fastening Package that includes the Conversion Disc and Velcro sanding discs - 555107 and is cataloged at $53.69.

I couldn't remember how the Velcro was attached to the disc, so just went out and looked at mine. It looks like Dusty answered your question while I was out in my shop. As Dusty said, it has an adhesive back which attaches to the disc with the Velcro on the other side. Unless you didn't order the complete kit you should have an adhesive back which holds it to the disc.

When you say "self-adhesive on the back", do you mean there is something I peel off to reveal the self-adhesive? My wife and I both did our darndest to peel something off the back of the velcro conversion disc but all we could do was tear a layer of paper that was not suppose to separate. I even took a sharp knife to the damn thing to try to create something to peel back. Am I stupid or something? As far as I can tell, the velcro conversion disc Shopsmith sent me does not have anything to peel off. And it certainly didn't come with installation instructions.

It sounds to me as though you do not have the "conversion disc".

Dusty, I assume your answer to my question is "yes" there is supposed to be a peel-off thingy on the back of the velcro conversion disc that reveals the adhesive.

Well, I definitely do have the conversion disc. It's black and it's got the velcro hooks on one side. The other side is white and shiny smooth. And the loop velcro sanding discs with grit stick to it. Also the invoice and back Shopsmith shipped it in says it's the conversion disc.

Maybe they stopped making them with self adhesion?

What you have described sounds like you have the conversion disc. It could be a "defective one", which is possible even with SS. I would give customer service a call when they open. They are always real helpful. In case you don't have the number, I am attaching the link for it. Hope everything works out for you.

http://www.shopsmith.com/custserv.htm

ejacobson wrote:Dusty, I assume your answer to my question is "yes" there is supposed to be a peel-off thingy on the back of the velcro conversion disc that reveals the adhesive.

Well, I definitely do have the conversion disc. It's black and it's got the velcro hooks on one side. The other side is white and shiny smooth. And the loop velcro sanding discs with grit stick to it. Also the invoice and back Shopsmith shipped it in says it's the conversion disc.

Maybe they stopped making them with self adhesion?

Ejacobson
It sure sounds like you have the conversion disk. Try slightly bending the disk.
If I remember mine had the back cut in a wavey line that I could only find after I slightly bent the disk (inside curve on the hook side). Once I bent it the little tabs about the size of finger were revealed across the center. I Just grabed one of these and peeled the protective backing off.
As you bend you may have to turn the disk a few time and try different spots until you get the one where the tabs pop out. If I remember correctly that was how mine was done. Make sure you don't bend it so much the disk takes a set. I just had to bend it enough to where I began to feel tension and the wavey cut popped open and the tabs were obvious.
Hope this solves your problem
Ed

Thanks, Ed. I'll give it a try tonight. I did see what looked like it could have been a curved line on the back of the disc. And in fact, I attempted to bend the disc in such a manner that it would reveal the seam of a pull-off backing. I guess either it's really sticky or maybe it melted in the mail. Nevertheless, I'll give it another shot tonight.

ejacobson

I should have been more clear. Yes, there is a paper backing that must be peeled off. The adhesive is quite good and you will have to work at getting the paper separated from the adhesive. Once you get it separated enough to get a hold on the paper, pull very slowly.

I find it works better if you try to pull the paper back on itself as opposed to pulling it away from the adhesive.

I would advise against using any sort of sharp object to remove the paper. I definitely would not attempt to cut the paper (you might cut the disc).