Replies

1. 
   Bill_Pickard | Aug 02, 2000 02:44am | #1

   *
   b TVMDC

   I have both the Fein Vac and triangle sander and looked closely at the 6" orbital but could NOT justify the price for woodworking. Were I in boat building it might be another sotyr.

   Instead, I got a Porter Cable 335 and a Bosch 3727DVS. They are both 6" random orbital with dust extraction through the hook and loop pad. I use the PC for finish work after the more aggressive Bosch. Also got a Rigid oscilating belt sander and all (3) were less than the Fein.

1. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Aug 02, 2000 03:36am | #2

   *I looked at a Fein and a vac. HUGE price. Huge enough i have apparently blacked it out. Seems to me it was between 100o and 1500 bucks Cdn. Since, I have heard some not so good things about the sander (there are certainly reviews out there in the woodworking mags), and I have heard very good things about the Festo.

1. 
   S_Edwards | Aug 05, 2000 01:07am | #3

   *It needed balancing out of the box. The company turned my sander around in a week. It can now be used for hours with little problem. It was designed for those needing a product that could take abuse. I have used it to refinish floors where a floor sander was awkward. Did a kitchen with the Fein vacuum hose attached and had no problems with dust. It is also excellent for sanding floors where the homeowner wants to preserve the old wavy floors. Unless you do a lot of sanding forget about the Fein random orbital sander. It is one expensive item. Out of ten woodworkers I am the only one who has invested in the Fein product line.

1. 
   John_Rhone | Aug 13, 2000 07:21am | #4

   *thanks

1. 
   JB_Alegiani | Aug 15, 2000 02:35am | #5

   *About 2 yrs ago I bought the Fein detail sander and was blown away by how well it worked. The detail sanders made by others seemed like mere toys compared to the Fein.After seeing how good the detail sander was, I bought the Fein 6" RO hoping it would be as good.While the RO sander is extremely well made and durable, I don't think its worth the extra cost Unless durability is an extreme concern for you, I'd go with another choice.While I have never used one, the Festo has rated much better in tool reviews at the high end of the price range. At the low end, I wouldn't know what to recommend.I hope this helps, and best of luck to you.JB

2. 
   John_Rhone | Aug 16, 2000 12:58am | #6

   *thanks very much. john

3. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Aug 16, 2000 01:53am | #7

   *Well I bought a Dewalt 5" variable speed R.O. sander a few years ago and now have three of them. The variable speed feature gives nice control and at less than 100.00 I think it's worth a look. Be forewarned though, the switch will crap out within a year, at least, all three of mine did. I keep an extra switch on hand. Oh yeah, one other thing, I retrofitted two of mine with PSA pads, the hook + loop paper is way more expensive (thanks for the tip, Chuck), and the psa seems to hold up just fine for me. Some of the regulars here have different opinions about that, but, um, some folks don't like radial arm saws either, go figure.

4. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Aug 16, 2000 01:38pm | #8

   *I'm just gonna let that one go. Of course, it could be said, that if you do it right, there ain't that much sanding...so the price difference per sheet is negated. RAS=anchor (and not a very efficient anchor at that).I was gonna let that go, wasn't I?

5. 
   Dennis_Loeffler | Aug 16, 2000 05:20pm | #9

   *Has anyone compared a half sheet orbital sander such as the Milwaukee or Porter Cable with the random oribts? I have the Milwaukee, and it seems to work fine using commercial sandpaper in sheets.Dennis

6. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Aug 16, 2000 08:48pm | #10

   *restraint, my brother, restraint. (you'd a been proud of me today Adrian. A customer pushed me over the edge and I didn't cuss one time. I'm not sure exactly what I did say, but I know I didn't cuss.)

2. 
   John_Rhone | Aug 16, 2000 08:48pm | #11

   *
   has anyone used a fein 6" random orbital sander? what is your experience? is it worth the cost? if not whats hot?

   thanks

   john