How about pulling all of the sandpaper off, then turning the machine on and holding the edge of a block of wood against the spinning plate.......scraping the backing paper off? Then, if there is any adhesive left, try the solvents Al and Olly mention.

Mike 

Thanks to everyone who replied so promptly to me question about removing glue from a disk sander. Problem now solved thanks to you

Clive

How about converting the disc to "Velcro" type backing, I have bought the required fabric from Axminster, the advantage is that the grades of the discs can changed far easier.

Regards Charles

with past experience of removing many a sanding disk i used a wallpaper scraper- the rigid type to lift away a small edge, then using a squeezy bottle filled with thinners or something similar, squirt some down behind the disk using the scraper to peel it away as you work your way down. when finished, wipe the surface of the plate with a rag dampened with thinners

rhys 

with past experience of removing many a sanding disk i used a wallpaper scraper- the rigid type to lift away a small edge, then using a squeezy bottle filled with thinners or something similar, squirt some down behind the disk using the scraper to peel it away as you work your way down. when finished, wipe the surface of the plate with a rag dampened with thinners

rhys