hey guys! I have been using this yellow flexPad and it started ripping open at the base. Has anyone had this problem and if so, why is it happening. Can it be repaired or should I just buy a new one?
The Yellow pad has to be run at a very slow speed preferably with finer grit papers or you’ll tear it apart. 1750 is the max RPMs on that pad. With my Dewalt sander 1750 would be half speed or slower on the speed dial.
Looks like a blowout from exceeding the RPM indicated on the pad. Don’t think it’s fixable. We see this happen sometimes variable sanders that go high, but often the result of guys putting the flex pads on an 11,000 RPM grinder 
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I have a Makita variable speed sander and never use it at more than the second speed which is around 900 RPM. This is why I am pretty confused about the tear.
Do you press downward when using it?? Downward pressure at even the recommended RPM can do exactly that. I’m more interested in how you got the ripping around the outside edge. Did you hit something with it while in use? Usually they get ripped on the edge because they hit loose fiberglass or a glass-on fin. If you did hit something with it at some time, that could have been enough to jar the base loose at the pad. You wouldn’t notice this right away. I have heard of them blowing out. But I am sure the manufacturer would say you exceeded RPM. Their competitor had issues like this for awhile a few years back. But to my knowledge they got it straightened out and also came up with recommended RPM’s. I have several Flex Pads in all densities. I’ve got a “Super Soft” that they don’t make anymore that I use to sand foam in my shaping process. I’m sure that if I kicked it up to 1750 it would have a blow out all over my shaping bay. Also use the Blue, Yellow and Red. I also use Ferro. Got one of those that’s ten years old. A little ripped around the edge from ding repair, but still in one piece.