Sander Pads

Finding sander pads and discs quickly can be frustrating. UK retailers stock different brands, pricing varies by 20–40%, and delivery times range from same-day to weeks. This guide shows you where to buy sander pads and discs for Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Festool and premium third-party brands—plus which retailer offers the best value for different purchase […]

DeWalt‘s random orbital sanders are common on UK construction sites and in workshops. Like Makita and Bosch, DeWalt uses an 8-hole pad system, which means disc compatibility with competing brands is straightforward—but pad compatibility is not. This guide covers DeWalt sander models, explains which pads and discs fit, shows you how to cross-reference abrasives across

Makita‘s random orbital sanders are workhorses in UK workshops. The BO5041 in particular is ubiquitous on building sites. If you own one—or are buying one—understanding which pads and discs fit, which third-party alternatives work, and how to maintain your sander will save time and frustration. This guide covers every Makita orbital and random orbital sander,

Bosch offers both entry-level and professional-grade sanders, each with its own pad system. If you own a Bosch GEX or PEX model, understanding which abrasives fit your pad—and which don’t—is critical to getting consistent results and maximising dust extraction. This guide covers every Bosch sander model, explains pad compatibility with competitors like Makita and DeWalt,

Festool has built its reputation on precision dust extraction and proprietary pad systems. If you’re investing in a Festool sander, understanding pad compatibility and abrasive options is crucial—because Festool’s ecosystem doesn’t play well with standard 8-hole discs, and mixing incompatible components will severely compromise dust extraction performance. This guide covers every Festool sander model, explains

The wrong abrasive for your material is a false economy. Use 40-grit aluminium oxide on soft wood and you’ll clog the disc, burn the surface, and waste an hour cleaning up. Use 150-grit ceramic on steel and you’ll barely scratch the mill scale. The material you’re sanding determines which abrasive type, which grit progression, and

Sanding discs have holes cut into them. These aren’t decorative — they’re engineered for dust extraction. The holes on the disc align with ports on your sander’s backing plate, pulling dust away from the work surface and into your extraction system. When hole patterns match, dust flows efficiently and the surface stays clean. When they

Sanding pad size is a fundamental choice that affects everything from how fast you can sand a surface to how much control you have over detail work. The two main sizes in the UK market are 125mm (the standard for most trade orbitalers) and 150mm (the larger option for dedicated deck sanders and flat-panel machines).

Sanding discs come in two attachment systems: hook-and-loop (Velcro-style) and PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive). Most UK tradespeople use hook-and-loop because it’s reusable, affordable, and reliable. But PSA has its place — wet sanding, profile sanders, and some industrial applications. The critical thing is knowing which type your sander uses, because mixing the two is a false

Fitting the wrong sanding pad to your orbital sander is the fastest way to waste money, waste abrasive, and get poor surface finish. The wrong pad can slip under load, clog with dust, overheat the backing plate, or simply refuse to stick. Sander pad compatibility is determined by three factors: backing type, pad size, and