resizing 6 1/2" pads

[rogertheracer]

has anyone tried to trim down the 6 1/2' pads to 5 1/2" ?
if so how did u do it. there's gotta be a way !

thanks , roger

[bkazepis]

has anyone tried to trim down the 6 1/2' pads to 5 1/2" ?
if so how did u do it. there's gotta be a way !

thanks , roger

Curious as well.......

[Jimmie]

Gotta be tough on your buffer if they are out of balance (cut uneven). I've never attempted it so I'm just thinking out loud. Guys that cut foam for fly tying do it with sissors shaped like a pizza cutter and a straight edge. That foam is only 2mm to 5mm thick. Maybe make a template to keep that type sissor running true. Still sounds risky.

[budman3]

I cut down some defective 7.5" pads down to 5.5" and honestly, it wasn't worth it. I had 3-4 defective pads and only one came out decent. You'll need to use a hard pad- light cut, at a minimum, for this to work. A polishing or finishing pad did not work at all. Even though it is possible to do, I won't be doing it again. It is very inefficient and its easier to buy new pads. Or even trade pads with a friendly AG member.

Before:


Put A Rotary polisher in a vise (here I was trimming a BP, same technique though):



The technique (be very careful!!!):
Take a razor blade knife or scissors and trim the pad to your liking with the machine off. You may have to use the knife while the machine is on to "square off" the backing plate but be very careful. To recondition the foam pad, use a pad spur: and trim/shave until satisfied.

After: