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Hands fold a dark abrasive sheet on a gray workbench, exposing its tan backing.

Which Sandpaper Fits Your Orbital Sander?

An “orbital sander” may take a rectangular sheet or a round disc. “Palm sander” describes how a tool is held and is also an unreliable shopping specification. Find the machine model and its abrasive requirements before choosing the grit. The right number printed on the wrong backing will not make it fit.

Disconnect the power source before turning the tool over or removing its abrasive. An old piece can show the shape, but the manual establishes what belongs on the machine.

Start with the pad and fastening system

What you find
Rectangular pad with clamps
What to verify before ordering
Required sheet dimensions, clamp allowance and hole-punch method
What you find
Rectangular or triangular hook face
What to verify before ordering
Exact matching abrasive outline, loop backing and hole arrangement
What you find
Round hook face
What to verify before ordering
Disc diameter, loop backing and compatible extraction pattern
What you find
Pad intended for adhesive-backed abrasive
What to verify before ordering
The specified pressure-sensitive adhesive consumable and pad preparation

Shape narrows the search; it does not establish attachment. Some rectangular sanders accept clamped paper, some use hook-and-loop abrasives, and some accept more than one specified format.

For example, the Bosch GSS20-40 specifications identify a quarter-sheet orbital sander with clamps, through-pad dust collection and a supplied punch plate. That is useful purchasing information. Its motor speed alone would tell you none of those things.

Plain sheets belong on tools designed to retain them

A 9 × 11-inch sheet can supply a clamping sander when the manufacturer's paper specification permits that format. Cut to the required dimensions, secure both ends and use the specified punch plate for extraction holes. The abrasive must lie smooth across the working face.

Where the job calls for 120 grit, eQualle's 120-grit, 25-sheet pack supplies full-size sheets for compatible clamping tools or hand blocks. The same 9 × 11-inch sheet format is plain sheet abrasive; cutting it into a circle does not add a loop backing or make it a random-orbit disc.

Do not use the pad's visible working length as the complete cut length when clamps require paper beyond it. If you need a cut layout after identifying the tool, the 9 × 11-inch cut-list guide explains how to allow for the actual mounting arrangement.

A matching disc needs more than the right diameter

Check the fastening type and dust passages as well as the diameter. A no-hole adhesive disc, an eight-hole loop-backed disc and a net disc may share a diameter without sharing the same installation requirements. Include any protector required by the abrasive and machine manufacturers.

For machines explicitly compatible with its format, eQualle's 5-inch, eight-hole hook-and-loop assortment contains ten discs each in 80, 120, 180, 220 and 320 grit. It is a disc option for the matching setup, not a universal replacement for every machine called orbital.

Save the complete consumable specification with the tool: model, abrasive outline or diameter, attachment, hole pattern and product name or part number. The next person can then reorder the correct format without guessing from a dusty old piece. Choose the grade for the material and required next operation after that fit is settled.

Short overview: abrasive shapes

A short explanation of abrasive shapes. Use the machine model and attachment specification to identify the format you need.
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