Every once in a while a product comes along that's so good I have to share it. These sanding discs are one of them.
I've tried just about everything under the sun when it comes to sandpaper, at every price point. Cheap and expensive. The discs I keep coming back to, and the ones I'd tell a friend to buy, are the Aiyard 5-inch hook and loop sanding discs.
What They Are
Here's what you're getting, straight from the listing:
- Product: Aiyard 5-Inch 8-Hole Hook and Loop Sanding Discs
- Size and fit: 5-inch discs with 8 pre-punched dust holes, made for 5-inch random orbit sanders with the 8-hole pattern
- Abrasive: aluminum oxide, with a hook and loop backing
- Pack size: 100 discs per box
- Grits: sold in 100-packs from 60 up to 800 grit, plus a mixed-grit pack
Before you order, check that your sander takes 5-inch, 8-hole hook and loop discs. The listing says they fit most 5-inch, 8-hole random orbit sanders.
How I Use Them
In my shop I keep two grits on hand: 100 grit and 220 grit. As a general rule, 100 grit handles the heavier sanding and 220 smooths things out before primer or finish. You can pick your grit right on the Aiyard listing.
They come 100 to a box, so you're not running to the store halfway through a project. And a 100-pack costs a lot less than you'd think.
They Last
This is the part that sold me. In my video, there's a whole row of cabinet bases behind me. I sanded every one of them with one disc. One. And when I was done, that disc was still cutting.
If you're looking for sanding discs that last a long time, these are it. That's a lot of sanding out of one disc, and there are 100 in the box.
Who They're For
They're a good fit for woodworkers, cabinetmakers, and hobbyist DIYers alike. Whether you sand every day or only on weekends, a box of these is a smart thing to keep on the shelf.
A Few General Sanding Tips
These are well-known habits that help any disc cut better and last longer:
- Let the sander do the work. Don't bear down. Heavy pressure slows the pad, heats the disc, and wears it out sooner.
- Work through the grits. Don't jump from very coarse straight to very fine. Each grit should take out the scratches from the one before it.
- Vacuum or wipe between grits. Loose grit from a coarser disc can leave scratches when you move to a finer one.
- Keep the disc and pad clean. Clear dust from the disc now and then, and keep the hook and loop pad free of debris so discs grip well. Replace a worn pad when discs won't stay put.
- Hook up dust collection if your sander has a port. The 8 holes in these discs are there to pull dust away from the surface. An automatic dust collector switch turns the vac on with the sander.
Sanding makes a lot of fine dust. Good dust collection helps, and disposable nose filters are a handy extra layer when you're sanding.
After Sanding
Once your piece is sanded smooth, it's ready to finish. If you want a sprayed finish, take a look at my post on HVLP spraying for beginners with the TCP Global HVLP kit. It walks through setup, thinning, and technique.
My Take
I've tried everything at every price point, and these are the ones I'd share. If you need sanding discs, give the Aiyard 5" hook and loop discs a try.
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