6 months ago I bought a type 2 and I took it apart with no problem. Few days ago I bought a type 1 from the Rockwell days. Basically the same sanders - type 1 (on the left) is 2 amps - type 2 (on the right) is 1.2 amps.
The newest one vibrates like hell so I need to remove the pad holder to see if any of the 5 rubber posts are broken, or there is a bad bearing. But I need to remove a allen head screw to remove the pad holder. It will not budge. Should not be so tight. Gone through 3 allen wrenches. It is a hardened screw so so far I have not rounded the hexagon recess, but I have twisted 3 allen wrenches.
I am not turning the wrong way. It is a standard CW screw thread, and I am going CCW to try to remove it. There is a youtube video of a guy taking apart a type 1 and he goes CCW with the allen wrench. Parts list for type 1 and 2 show the same screw. I even removed the screw from my type 2 just to make sure. Motor turns CW so you would not use a left-handed screw. But just for grins I did try going CW.