5”, 8-hole hook and loop sanding disks

[Bob Jones 5443]

I rarely sand anymore, but I have a quick job with 2’ and 4’ 1x4 pine and I’d like to give the 32 boards a once-over with my random orbital sander. A few years ago my old Porter-Cable sander gave out, and I replaced it with a Bosch. The P-C had five vent holes, while the Bosch has eight. I have half-used boxes of 5-hole Mirka disks — one an assortment with 50, 80, 150, 180, and 220 and the other a box of only 320. These grits have suited my needs well.

I’ve been limping along with the 5-hole disks, but I figure that 8 holes would make dust collection more efficient, so I’m thinking about leaving the 5-hole disks behind and moving to 8. Ideally, I’d like to match the grit collection without needing to buy lots of individual boxes.

I haven’t bought sanding disks in forever. On first try, Mirka seems hard to buy in an assorted grit “hobbyist” box. There are a lot of very cheap brands unknown to me floating around Google — I’m wary of those. Can someone recommend a quality brand with assorted grits and 8 holes? I want to buy once and be happy with the product every (infrequent) time I use it.

[Steve Eure]

personally, I have fallen in love with the 3M Xtract disc. No holes to line up, just slap it on, They do have assorted packs, at least when I bought mine they did. These disc are amazing to san with. With a good vac, there is not much dust that escapes. They last longer than conventional disc, ane relively inexpensive.

https://taytools.com/products/copy-of-3m%E2%84%A2-710w-xtract%E2%84%A2-net-sanding-discs-cubitron-ii-%E2%84%A2-hookit%E2%84%A2-hook-and-loop-attachment-12-pc-sample-pack?_pos=1&_sid=7cd8a863c&_ss=r

[Michelle Rich]

Klingspor.

[Steve Demuth]

personally, I have fallen in love with the 3M Xtract disc. No holes to line up, just slap it on, They do have assorted packs, at least when I bought mine they did. These disc are amazing to san with. With a good vac, there is not much dust that escapes. They last longer than conventional disc, ane relively inexpensive.

https://taytools.com/products/copy-of-3m%E2%84%A2-710w-xtract%E2%84%A2-net-sanding-discs-cubitron-ii-%E2%84%A2-hookit%E2%84%A2-hook-and-loop-attachment-12-pc-sample-pack?_pos=1&_sid=7cd8a863c&_ss=r

+1 on the 3M disks. Excellent lifespan and dust collection.

[Marc Rochkind]

With the Xtracts, make sure you put a backing pad between the abrasive and the sander's plate.

[Christian Hawkshaw]

With the Xtracts, make sure you put a backing pad between the abrasive and the sander's plate.

What do you recommend? I only see soft foam pads...which I am not sure would be the best for sanding flat surfaces.

[Ken Kortge]

These go between the sander's pad and the Xtract sanding disc to make the sander's pad last longer.
https://taytools.com/products/3m-random-orbital-hook-and-loop-protector-pad?variant=31997924900951

[Jay Norton]

https://www.industrialabrasives.com/58-hole-assortment-rhynogrip-hook-loop-discs-01950-p-1386.html?zenid=h03n3104r1mpuj7smh0n7mtgj3