Sandpaper Alignment Jig: A Simple Random Orbital Sander Upgrade
Installing a fresh sanding disc on a random-orbit sander should be a simple task. But getting all the holes in the sandpaper lined up with the dust-collection ports on the sanding pad can be frustrating, especially when your eyesight isn't what it used to be.
And if those holes aren't properly aligned, the sander's dust collection won't work as effectively.
To solve the problem, I built this simple sanding disc alignment jig from a few scraps of hardboard and some wooden dowels.
Not only does it make installing sanding discs easier, but it also provides a convenient way to store extra discs and keep them flat and organized.
Build the Sanding Disc Alignment Jig
The jig consists of two pieces of hardboard and several short dowels.
One piece serves as the base, while the other acts as a removable cover.
Start by placing a sanding disc on each piece of hardboard and marking the locations of the dust-collection holes.
Drill the corresponding holes in both pieces.
Next, glue dowels into the holes in the base. The dowels should be sized to fit through the holes in the sanding discs without binding.
To make loading the discs easier, round over the top ends of the dowels with sandpaper.
The cover should slide smoothly over the dowels.
Store Sanding Discs on the Jig
When I'm not using the jig to install a sanding disc, it serves as a handy storage rack.
Simply stack the sanding discs over the dowels with the abrasive side facing down.
Then slide the hardboard cover over the dowels.
The dowels keep the discs aligned, while the cover helps protect them and keeps the stack flat.
It's a compact way to organize spare sanding discs without leaving them scattered around the shop.
Align Sanding Disc Holes for Better Dust Collection
The best feature of this jig is how easy it makes installing a fresh sanding disc.
Remove the cover, leaving a disc positioned on the dowels.
Then line up the dust-collection holes in the sander's pad with the dowels.
With the sander switched off and unplugged, lower the sanding pad onto the disc until the hook-and-loop surfaces engage.
Lift the sander away, and the new disc is attached with its dust-collection holes properly aligned.
There's no need to reposition the sandpaper several times to get everything lined up.
A Handy Two-in-One Sanding Accessory
This little jig takes only a few minutes to build, and you can make it from materials already in your scrap bin.
It keeps spare sanding discs clean and organized while making disc changes faster and more accurate.
Best of all, the properly aligned holes help your random-orbit sander's dust-collection system work as intended.
Sometimes the simplest shop-made accessories are the ones that make the biggest difference in everyday woodworking.
Sanding Disc Storage Tower
This alignment jig makes changing sanding discs easier, but what about storing all the different grits you keep in your shop?
Our Sanding Disc Storage Tower is a compact organizer made from scrap MDF and hardboard. It features seven compartments for 5" sanding discs, with removable dividers that let you customize the storage space.
BUILD THE SANDING DISC STORAGE TOWER → Keep Every Sanding Grit Organized
