Thanks for the replies. Now I have some different things to try.

It doesn't matter what grit of sandpaper I use, 80 or 150 both leave swirls. The sandpaper I get is a more expensive kind, but I do tend to overuse it. Also I think I'm probably going to replace the pad. The pad is in ok shape but certainly isn't helping any. Its a cheap sander thats been used a lot, so probably the best solution would be a new sander but I'll try to get this one to work first before I spend money on a new one.

: I have a vibrating sander and it leaves behind small swirls of scratches. The
: scratches are very small and fine but still quite noticeable. It's
: starting to leave so many scratches that its quicker and easier to just
: sand by hand. Any ideas why this is happening?

: Thanks,
: Marie