A backing pad is an attachment that secures sanding and polishing accessories to power tools. The abrasive part is held securely against the backing pad by a locking disc or hook fixture. Backing pads are made from materials including rubber, aluminium and composite resin.
How do backing pads work?
A backing pad attaches to a power tool in one of two simple ways. The first type uses a shaft or mandrel built into the body of the pad – this design is suitable for tools with a chuck, like hand drills. In the second type, used for tools with a spindle such as an angle grinder, the backing pad fits directly onto the tool's spindle, which locks both the disc and pad securely in place. Backing pads of this type are usually made of very sturdy aluminium and are generally used for heavy duty sanding.
Types of backing pads
Backing pads are available in a variety of different sizes corresponding to standard disc sizes. Additional features like cooling vents are sometimes added to more complex power tools to protect the disc from overheating and extend the tool's lifespan in general.
