DeWalt 5" Eight Hole Hook & Loop Pad - Medium

Why I reached for this pad

Swapping a worn pad on my random-orbit sander took me longer to identify the right replacement than to install it. Once I bolted on DeWalt’s 5-inch, 8-hole hook-and-loop pad, the sander immediately felt familiar again—balanced, grippy, and ready for a mix of rough stock removal and finish prep. If you live with a sander in your hand, the pad is a consumable, and choosing the right density and hole pattern makes a real difference. This medium-density, 8-hole option hits the “everyday” sweet spot.

Build and fit

The pad is a 5-inch hook-and-loop face bonded to a medium-density foam core with an underlying plate. The face is true and flat out of the box, with uniform hook height that grabs standard discs securely. It’s sold as a single replacement, and that’s exactly how I treat it: a straightforward OEM-style consumable without extras or gimmicks.

Compatibility is where most people get tripped up. This pad is for 5-inch, 8-hole sanders and uses the DeWalt pattern found on older and mid-generation models (think D26450/D26451 series and similar). It mounts with three screws and sits directly on the sander’s base. If your sander uses a four-screw pattern or a pad that keys into a raised center boss, this is not the one you want. The simple check:

• Count your pad’s mounting screws before ordering.
• Confirm your sanding discs are 8-hole.
• Inspect whether your sander requires a keyed/bossed pad.

I’ve used it on a DeWalt 5-inch random-orbit unit that predates the current DWE64xx series, and the fit is perfect. The screws thread cleanly, and the pad registers flat against the base. Keep your original mounting screws—you’ll need them.

Installation and setup

Swapping pads is a five-minute job. Remove the dust bag, pull the disc, back out the three screws, and lift off the old pad. Clean the sander’s base to remove packed dust (a nylon brush and a shop vac help), then align the new pad and reinstall the screws with light thread locker if your environment vibrates tools loose. Don’t overtighten; you’re compressing foam against a plate.

Before first use, I press a fresh disc on firmly, rotate it once by hand to ensure hole alignment, and take a few passes on scrap to confirm tracking and balance.

In use: general sanding, edging, and light shaping

As a medium-density pad, it’s the right tool for most tasks: smoothing hardwood panels, knocking down mill marks, evening out plywood edges, and prepping previously finished surfaces. The pad is compliant enough to ride over minor undulations without gouging, yet firm enough to keep discs flat on wide faces. That balance matters when switching between 80-grit leveling and 150–220-grit finish sanding without swapping pads.

The hook-and-loop bite is strong. Discs don’t creep under heat, and I’m able to peel and reseat paper several times without losing adhesion. Heat buildup remains reasonable at typical random-orbit speeds around 12,000 OPM; I’ve run aggressive 60–80 grit without scorching or softening the foam, provided I keep the tool moving and avoid leaning on edges.

For more contoured work—say, automotive panels or carved edges—I still prefer a softer pad to conform better. But for flat work and subtle profiles, this one does well. I’ve used it to freshen deck boards and to blend patch work on interior trim; it strikes the right compromise between control and forgiveness.

Dust collection and the eight-hole pattern

If your discs match the pad’s eight-hole pattern and you use a dust bag or vacuum, extraction is effective. The holes stay aligned, the channels don’t clog quickly, and the sander keeps cutting rather than skating on dust. With a vac attached, the difference is obvious—paper lasts longer, the work surface stays visible, and the air in the shop is cleaner. Make sure your discs are true 8-hole; 5-hole or solid discs defeat the purpose.

One small tip: rotate your discs occasionally so any slight pad face wear distributes evenly. It helps the pad stay balanced and keeps dust pickup consistent.

Vibration and control

The pad runs smoothly at full speed. On my sander, there’s no chatter or harmonics, even when I’m a bit lazy with paper centering. Medium density helps here—the foam damps vibration better than a hard backing plate, especially at the edges. If your sander already has some miles on it, expect the new pad to tighten up the feel noticeably.

Durability and what to expect

No pad lasts forever, and foam-backed hook-and-loop pads are consumables. The face will eventually lose hook strength, and the foam can degrade with heat, solvent exposure, or repeated edge loading. I get solid life from this pad when I:

• Avoid tipping the sander on corners
• Let the machine, not pressure, do the work
• Keep the pad/disc clean with compressed air or a crepe block
• Store the sander flat so the pad isn’t compressed on an edge

Under normal shop use, I replaced the last one after years of intermittent work when the foam finally separated near the outer edge—par for the course. This OEM-style pad has held up better for me than bargain alternatives where the face or plate can feel brittle. It’s not indestructible, but it’s predictable.

Medium vs soft vs hard

Choosing pad density is about the work:

• Medium: Best all-rounder. Good for flat faces, light edge work, and stepping through grits on hardwood, plywood, and paint prep.
• Soft: Better for contoured surfaces and curved profiles; reduces the risk of swirls on thin veneers but can round over edges more easily.
• Hard: Ideal for absolutely flat work like slab flattening with a sander or keeping crisp facets on edge banding; less forgiving on uneven stock.

This pad’s middle-ground density is why it lives on my sander by default.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Hook-and-loop only: This pad is for hook-and-loop discs, not PSA (stick-on) paper.
• Screw count matters: Three-screw vs four-screw patterns are not interchangeable.
• Hole pattern must match: Use 8-hole discs to maintain dust collection.
• Heat is the enemy: Pressing too hard or lingering on edges will shorten pad life.

If you’re unsure about compatibility, take a quick phone photo of your sander’s base and old pad before ordering. Counting screws and noting the hole layout prevents the wrong part from landing on your bench.

Warranty and value

It’s backed by a short, limited warranty, but realistically this is a wear item. The value for me lies in the predictable fit and finish and the way the pad preserves the sander’s balance. I’d rather replace a pad less often and keep my discs cutting cleanly than wrestle with inconsistent grip or premature foam failure.

Who it’s for

• Woodworkers and remodelers who want one pad to handle everything from rough leveling to finish prep
• DIYers refreshing decks, doors, or trim with a single sander
• Anyone running an older DeWalt 5-inch, 8-hole RO sander that uses the three-screw mount

If your work is heavily contoured or you do a lot of automotive finish sanding, keep a softer pad on hand as well.

Final recommendation

I recommend this pad for owners of compatible DeWalt 5-inch, 8-hole random-orbit sanders who want a reliable, medium-density, hook-and-loop replacement. It fits as intended, runs smoothly at full speed, holds discs securely, and provides the right balance of firmness and compliance for general sanding. Just verify your screw pattern and hole layout before you buy. If you need a pad for a four-screw or keyed base—or you work mostly on complex curves—look to the correct soft or alternate-mount version instead. For everyday woodworking and general surface prep, this one earns a spot on my sander.