DeWalt 5" Eight Hole Hook & Loop Pad - Medium

What it is and where it fits

This is a 5-inch, eight-hole, hook-and-loop sanding pad designed to replace the factory pad on DeWalt’s mid-size random orbit sanders. I used it on a DWE6423 (variable speed) and a DWE6421 (single speed), both with dust extraction. It’s a medium-density pad with a woven hook face for standard 5-inch discs and an eight-hole pattern that lines up with the sanders’ dust ports. It’s a simple component, but it’s the one part of a random orbit system that has to balance grip, airflow, and heat without getting in your way.

Setup and compatibility

Swapping the pad is straightforward. The pad doesn’t include screws, so you reuse the ones from the sander. I loosened the factory pad, aligned the eight-hole pattern with the sander’s ports, and snugged the screws down evenly. A couple of practical notes from the bench:

• Make sure you have the correct eight-hole discs. Four-hole discs won’t align with this pad’s pattern, and misalignment will hurt dust collection and increase heat.
• Don’t over-torque the screws. Snug is enough; cranking down can stress the plastic bosses.
• Before installing, clean the sander’s base and check that no debris is trapped between the pad and the metal plate.

On both sanders, alignment was fuss-free and the pad ran true with no discernible wobble out of the box.

Build quality and feel

The face fabric is a tight, woven hook field that held discs securely with standard abrasives (I tried premium mesh, paper-backed aluminum oxide, and ceramic). Disc changes were quick and clean—no hooks pulled off when removing discs, which can happen with cheaper pads. The foam feels medium in density, offering a good compromise between contouring and flatness for general woodworking.

The backing plate is a molded plastic with reinforced standoffs for the screws. Compared with older generations that used a heavier hub, this design keeps weight down and the sander responsive. That said, it also puts more emphasis on correct installation and heat management, especially during long sanding sessions.

Performance on wood and finishes

I ran the pad across three common scenarios:

• Pine shelf parts: 80–120–180 grits to remove mill marks and prep for paint.
• Maple cutting boards: 80–120–150–220 grits with a vacuum attached.
• Cabinet door refinishing: 120–180 grits over old finish, then 220 for scuff-sanding primer.

With the DWE6423 set to mid to high speeds, the pad tracked well and didn’t leave unexpected swirls, provided I kept the sander moving and let the abrasive do the work. On flat stock, the medium density is ideal—it’s forgiving enough to transition over edge banding without gouging, yet stiff enough to keep faces flat. On profiled edges, I added a 1/4-inch interface pad to soften the footprint; that reduced the chance of cutting through veneer and helped the disc conform without stressing the hooks.

I also tried drywall patches as a test of dust behavior (not a recommended primary use), and the pad handled the fine particulate without clogging, though I’d always switch to mesh abrasives for that.

Dust collection and airflow

With eight-hole discs aligned and a vacuum attached, dust pickup was solid. On maple, the majority of fines disappeared into the shroud, leaving only a light haze on the work surface. Mesh discs improved this further. Misalignment matters more than you might think—rotating the disc just a couple holes off reduced airflow and raised pad temperature. If your discs don’t have alignment marks, I recommend a quick visual check before you start.

Heat and durability

Pads fail when heat builds faster than it can dissipate, which softens foam and stresses screw bosses. To see where this pad’s limits are, I ran a “worst case” test: 80-grit on hard maple, speed max, vacuum connected, moderate pressure, for 30-minute intervals with brief disc changes. After the first interval the pad was warm but stable. After the second, I could feel softening at the very center and slight compression near the screw area. I stopped there.

In normal, intermittent use—common in furniture and trim work—the pad held up well over several days. The hook face remained grippy, and I didn’t lose discs mid-pass. However, pushing hard during aggressive stock removal accelerates wear. If you consistently ask a 5-inch ROS to act like a belt sander, this pad isn’t the right match; step to a hard pad or a more robust backing system designed for heavy grinding.

A couple of care tips made a noticeable difference:

• Keep discs fresh. Dull abrasives generate heat; swap sooner rather than later.
• Lower speed for coarse grits. I get the same removal rate at 4–5 without cooking the pad.
• Don’t store the sander face-down on the pad, especially in a hot vehicle.
• Let the sander coast to a stop off the work. Parking it on the pad while it’s spinning can scuff the hooks.

Ergonomics and control

The medium pad gives the sander a planted feel. It helps the DWE6423 track gently and keeps the tool from “walking” on edges. Disc changes remain effortless, which matters on multi-grit sequences. If you do a lot of veneered panel work, pair it with a thin interface pad to broaden its range without swapping pads entirely.

Noise and vibration were unchanged from the factory pad in my testing—no added chatter or hum. Balance stayed good even with mesh discs and a vacuum hose, which can sometimes telegraph vibration through a lighter pad.

Longevity expectations

With sane technique—moderate pressure, aligned discs, matched speed—I’d expect this pad to last through multiple projects before the hooks lose bite. The first sign of end-of-life is usually reduced disc retention around the edges, not catastrophic failure. If you notice a sudden increase in wobble, stop and check the screw area. Heat cycling can loosen screws; re-snugging fixed a minor wobble after my longer runs.

If your work routinely involves heavy removal on hardwoods or long, continuous sessions, consider keeping a spare on hand or stepping up to a harder or more heat-tolerant pad for those tasks. The 90-day limited warranty is there, but prevention and technique go a long way.

Who it’s for

• General woodworking, trim, furniture prep: Yes. It hits the sweet spot for control and finish quality.
• Paint and finish prep with dust extraction: Yes, especially with mesh abrasives.
• Aggressive leveling, thick epoxy, or heavy flattening: Use a harder pad or different tool.
• Contours and delicate veneers: Add a thin interface pad to avoid printing edges.

Small misses and nice touches

Misses:
- The plastic screw boss area could use more reinforcement for prolonged high-heat use.
- No included screws. Not a big deal, but it means you must keep track of the originals and avoid stripped heads.

Nice touches:
- The woven hook face is consistent across the pad—no dead zones that spit discs.
- Alignment with DeWalt’s eight-hole pattern is spot-on, which helps dust collection on both compatible sanders.

Practical setup tips

• Mark one hole on the pad and your discs with a Sharpie to speed alignment and keep airflow optimal.
• Keep a soft nylon brush or compressed air handy to clean the hooks if they pick up dust or paint nibs.
• If you feel the pad getting hot, drop speed a notch and lighten up. Heat is the enemy here.

Final take

For day-to-day sanding on compatible DeWalt 5-inch random orbit sanders, this replacement pad does what it should: it holds discs securely, tracks flat, and preserves strong dust collection when paired with the right abrasives. It’s not indestructible, and like most modern lightweight pads, it’s sensitive to heat and over-torque. In my shop, used within its lane—moderate pressure, aligned eight-hole discs, reasonable runtime—it’s been reliable and easy to live with. Pushed into extended, aggressive sanding, it warms up and shows its limits.

Recommendation: I recommend this pad for owners of the DWE6423 and DWE6421 who need an OEM-fit, general-purpose replacement and are willing to pay attention to heat and technique. If your work skews toward heavy stock removal or marathon sanding sessions on dense hardwoods, either keep a spare or choose a harder, more heat-resistant alternative for those jobs.