HEY RJR,
Don't mess with paper clips...just buy the pole sander at HD. I bought the one at Lowes, and returned it, because it was too hard to use their spring clips. HD's cam-operated clips are much easier to use.
If you're steady enough on the long reaches, you'll do fine.
If you're not steady enough, you won't do fine, and the pad will skate all over the place.
Bad Order