I can’t seem to get the pad sanded down are there any tricks? It seems the pad is very soft and pushes in when sanded.

Some folks claim freezing them helps. A good sharp belt on your sander goes a long ways. I have not installed one in maybe ten years or so. In my shop I use Pachmyer or Silvers type pads. Hope that helps some.
Steve

I can see how freezing would stiffen it up!

I use a Dremel with new sanding rings and just do it by eyeballing the progress. But that's only on my own stuff...Geo

I've had good luck with my disk sander.

Hi there

Those pads work best if ground away from the stock using a belt sander and a grinding jig .....exerting very little hand pressure.
Take your time and let the belt do all the work

CJ

Thanks guys!