Sandpapers are used to smooth out surfaces or to remove a layer of material from the surface of an object, such as paint.
They can also be used to make the surface rough. No matter for what reason you are using sandpaper, you need some techniques to work with them.
Investing into a decent palm sander will have you sorted for years, and you will not feel the need to upgrade if you stick with brands like DeWalt.
The options from this brand have been dominating the market for years and will continue to do so for decades.
So, if you’re new to the market and need a decent unit to help you get ahead of some projects, going with the DeWalt system might not be that bad of an option.
Sandpaper Keeps Coming Off Palm Sander
You will not feel the need to upgrade even when you get more experienced.
The sandpaper is placed on the palm sander to sand the surfaces. But what if the sandpaper keeps coming off the palm sander?
It can be quite a problem in such a case. Therefore, we are here to provide you with a list of ways to make sure that your sandpaper stays on the palm sander. Let’s dig in.
- Sandpaper Worn Out
If you want your sandpaper to stay on the palm sander, then you need to make sure that the sandpaper that you are using is not worn out.
If the sandpaper is worn out, It will not stay on the palm sander. In such a case, you will have to replace the sandpaper with a new one.
- Dirty Sandpaper
It is also possible that your sandpaper is only filled with some dirt. The dirt will not let the sandpaper stay in the palm sander.
Therefore, you need to clean the sandpaper from dirt and debris to make sure that it does not come off the palm paper.
In such a case, all you need to do is use a brush and scrape out all the dirt from the sandpaper. You can also use a screwdriver for this purpose.
If the sandpaper is too dirty that it is very difficult to clean or it cannot be cleaned, then you need to replace the sandpaper with a new one.
- Hooks Are Worn Out
If your sander is too old or if the hooks or loops of your sander have been worn out due to excessive sanding, then the sandpaper will not stay on the palm sander and will keep coming off.
In such a case, you can either replace the sander pad or the whole sander.
Both replacements depend on your budget. If you replace the sand pad only, then it will cost you less than what you will have to pay if you want to replace the whole palm sander.
So, be sure to get them replaced immediately. One thing that you can do here is to take the unit to a local repair center.
From there, you can ask an expert to help you fix the clips, and he will take charge of the situation.
Installing new clips can be a bit complicated to do on your own, and seeking help from the official support team is a better idea.
So, be sure to reach out when you’re not really sure about how to replace the hooks.
- Sandpaper Too Thick Or Too Thin
It is also possible that your sandpaper keeps coming off the palm sander because the paper is too thick or thin for the clips of the sander to hold.
In both cases, you will have to replace the sandpaper with a new one. However, make sure that the new sandpaper is compatible with your palm sander.
- Decrease Pressure
Sometimes, all that you will need to do is to decrease the pressure on the unit, and that will be more than enough to fix the majority of your problems.
You will not have to deal with more errors down the road as long as you’re keeping track of the pressure.
Most of the time, you should let the sander work on its weight alone, and pushing it down on the material will displace the paper.
Even if the paper is not too thick or thin, it will slide off from the sander, and you will have to install it again.
There are no fixes here that can help you in the long run if you keep putting the same level of pressure on the unit. Instead, you need to rely on modifying your routine to accommodate these errors.
It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation, and adjusting your technique will be it.
You can also seek a pointer from local experts or contractors if you’re not sure about how to adjust to the situation.
They will make the troubleshooting routine much easier, and you will not have to go through all of these steps.
Moreover, you can ask them for pointers on how to go about using the sander. A few minutes spent with an expert will save you hours of your time as you browse through a ton of guides and video clips.
So, don’t hesitate to reach out to local experts on this issue.
- Fix Alignment
The alignment of the unit also has a huge role to play here, and you need to make sure that the sandpaper is properly aligned and fitted within the clips.
Even if the clips are in good shape, alignment issues will only lead to the sandpaper falling off with the first contact.
So, if you’re sure that the issue is not relevant to any of the situations listed above, then you need to focus more on fixing the alignment of the unit.
It will take a bit more of your time, but you will be able to address the issue by carefully aligning the sandpaper along the clips.
From there, you can also check the hold of the clips on the sandpaper. Ideally, the sandpaper should be firmly in place, and you shouldn’t be able to move it with your fingers once the clips are engaged.
This will be more than enough to give you a complete perspective of the issue.
As long as you’re sure that there are no hardware issues with the device, your problems should be addressed right here.
You will not have to deal with more complications down the road, and the unit will work perfectly in the long run. However, the situation can be different in the case of hardware issues.
- Ask for Official Support
There are no quick DIY solutions that might help you fix a unit that has hardware issues. It will take a while to isolate issues with the device itself, and you can check for damaged sections.
If you do find there to be cracks or water damage to the system, then call the dealer. It might seem a hassle to engage the dealer, but you’re not left with other options.
The warranty deal on this unit is one of the best on the market, and you will be able to grab a fresh piece as long as you’re sure that the issue is more related to the hardware side of things.
All that you have to do is to list the possible issues while also providing valid proof of purchase, like a receipt to the dealer.
He will verify your claim and will get back to you within a few hours. If everything goes well, you should be able to get the new unit within the same week.
From there, you can go about making use of this unit, and you will not have to deal with any worn clips or damaged sections.
The smarter thing is to always claim the warranty and don’t run the risk of voiding the warranty by trying to fix the unit yourself.
The Bottom Line
The sandpapers can fall off the palm sander very easily if you don’t know the right method.
If the sandpaper is not stuck rightly onto the sander pad, then it will not sand properly and not do the job efficiently. Therefore, make sure that you use the sandpaper correctly.
It can take a while to figure out the issue with the sandpaper not sticking. We suggest that you also get pointers from an expert if you’re not sure about the right technique.
There are also a ton of guides on YouTube, and you can ask for pointers on the official forums as well.
There is no need to try and isolate the issue on your own when you can get help from thousands of experts.
So, be sure to reach out to other owners and explain your issue. You’ll surely be able to get ahead of the problem in no time.
Lastly, if you find the fault to be with the sander, then reaching out to the official support channel for your respective brands will do you well.
There is no gain in trying to fix a damaged unit and claiming the warranty might just be the right fix when you can’t seem to fix the issue yourself.
Why is the palm sander sandpaper I bought scored in the middle and keep tearing
off?