[sammyg2]

I've sanded pads before, but I'm not about to recommend someone doing it on this board for obvious legal reasons.
I'm not sure what all of the materials they are putting in brake pads these days but I'm sure they are not good to breath so if you do it make sure to wear the right protection. Also make sure to keep the pads flat and parrallel so you don't have a problem with contact on the leading edge or they will squeal and chatter. We used to put a small bevel on the leading edge for just this reason. It can be done right and it can be done safely, or it can be screwed up royally, even to the point of damaging the rotors and maybe even causing an accident if they pull hard one way under panic stopping. Some things I like to experiment on, some things I like to be frugal on, braking systems don't fall into these categories any more for me at least.

Soooooo, if it were my car and I needed to get it running and I didn't have the money to buy new pads, I would consider sanding them.
If I could afford them I would buy new ones.
BTW, unless we are talking about exotic racing pads, they are only $40 for front and $39 for rear, prices taken out of an add in Panorama, it says pads, original Textar, Jurid, or ATE. I haven't checked with our host, but I bet they have good prices also.

If we are talking about racing pads, that changes lots of stuff.