Skorpio III 6" Backing Plate

Skorpio III Backing Plate for Dust-Free Sanding

The RUPES Skorpio III backing plate (part 981.500) is the 150 mm (6 inch) hook-and-loop pad for the RUPES Skorpio III air sander in every orbit and vacuum version: the 3, 6, and 9 mm RH353, RH356, and RH359, plus their central-vacuum and self-generated-vacuum models. Its face carries RUPES's "direct flow" multi-hole pattern, so a sander hooked to extraction pulls dust through the disc and the plate instead of loading the abrasive. The back is rated to 22,000 strokes per minute, and a square hub locates it on the drive before one center screw locks it down.

That center screw is the RUPES 9.715 socket cap screw, the same one the BigFoot polishers use, so a stripped one is an easy fix. The Skorpio III cannot take a threaded DA pad with a 5/16"-24 stud, because it has no threaded spindle to receive one. Blocking long, flat panels in a straight line is a different tool and a different pad, such as the RUPES SLP41A 70 x 400 mm backing pad.

What Makes it Great:

🌬️ Direct Flow Multi-Hole Face: Holes spread across the whole face give a vacuum sander more paths to pull dust through a multi-hole disc.

⚡ Rated on the Part: RUPES prints the 22,000 strokes-per-minute maximum on the back of the plate, so the limit travels with the part.

🔁 Fits Every Skorpio III Version: One part covers the 3, 6, and 9 mm orbits and the non-vacuum, central-vacuum, and self-vacuum models, so a body shop stocks a single plate.

🔩 Square Hub, Single Screw: The square hub keys the plate to the drive, and one socket cap screw clamps it, so the plate cannot slip on the shaft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Skorpio III backing plate fit the RH353, RH356, and RH359?

Yes. RUPES's Skorpio III parts diagram lists the 981.500 6-inch plate for the RH353, RH356, and RH359 and their RH323, RH326, and RH329 vacuum counterparts. RUPES also lists 125 mm plates (980.015N hook-and-loop, 980.025N vinyl) for shops that sand with 5-inch discs.

Can I use a 5/16"-24 DA sanding pad on a Skorpio III?

No. Threaded DA pads such as 15-hole pads with a 5/16"-24 stud need a threaded spindle, and the Skorpio III bolts its plate on with a center screw. Use the RUPES 981.500 plate.

Why are my sanding discs loading up on the Skorpio III?

A common cause is disc holes that don't line up with the plate's holes, so extraction stops pulling dust. Line the disc up with the holes when you press it on, and check that the vacuum hose or self-vac bag is clear.

Specifications:

Installation (Best Practices):