Decided I needed to use the disk sander and looked at the abrasive and it was nasty dirty.  So  I went to replace it.  Lots of heat to get it off, then heat, lacquer thinner, acetone, putty knife, razor blade sandpaper and lots and lots of work to get all the adhesive off.  Took about an hour.  Now I might remember why it kept going with the old disk so long.

Next time try mineral spirits.  I know it works surprisingly well on label adhesives.

Spring for the velcro type discs. A bit more expensive but they peel off nicely when the abrasive is used up and the velcro backer stays firmly attached to the disk.

Yep, that was what happened when I went to change mine.

There is a product called "Goo Gone" that I know works good on anything sticky. I'm not sure if they sell it in your neck of the woods. I know it will take the glue off duct tape if you happen to need nylon strips. Lol

Don't let SWMBO see this, put it in an old pot and boil it clean.

Funny that this subject would come up now... I just put a new abrasive on my Shopsmith disc. Had a HECK of a time cleaning off the old one! But then, I know for a fact that the thing hadn't been changed in AT LEAST 52 years! In fact, it was probably longer than that. I suspect that the sander was only used by the original owner, who bought the machine in 1952!!!

Lacquer thinner and acetone, in my experience, are much stronger solvents than mineral spirits or GooGone (often called GooBeGone :-) ) 

37 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

Funny that this subject would come up now... I just put a new abrasive on my Shopsmith disc. Had a HECK of a time cleaning off the old one! But then, I know for a fact that the thing hadn't been changed in AT LEAST 52 years! In fact, it was probably longer than that. I suspect that the sander was only used by the original owner, who bought the machine in 1952!!!

Why the rush? You sure it was really worn out? Seems it should last longer. I'd check the warranty. Besides, I'm a '52 model and I'm not worn out..well totally yet.

Edited April 2, 20242 yr by Grandpadave52

19 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Why the rush? You sure it was really worn out? Seems it should last longer. I'd check the warranty. Besides, I'm a '52 model and I'm not worn out..well totally yet.

Actually, Gramps, there was still quite a bit of grit left on the backing, but I needed something a little bit finer than 1/2" gravel!

Here’s my method. And yep it’s mineral spirits. Use a heat gun ( steal the wife’s hairdryer) and heat it up then peel it off. Two methods I use for getting the adhesive off. If it’s a hot summer day put it out in the sun and occasionally go out and put a little more mineral spirits on it. By the end of the day it will wipe off. If it’s cold outside put it in a plastic bag, add mineral spirits and let it sit for a couple of days. 
Paul

The mineral spirits take longer to flash off giving them more time to soak in.