just joined the forum. be gentle with me.
I’m looking into buying a ROS. I have an old Makita BO4552 palm sander that creates too much dust. I reread the FHB article from July ’04 reviewing ROSs. Anyone have any additional thoughts on the reviews? One thing I want to use the sander for is to sand gypsum compound after skim coating a wall. Anyone done this and is this an OK way to use a ROS?
Replies
"Be gentle"... HEHEHE
I have a few random orbit sanders. The ones with the velcro pads... If you want to sand drywall I'd definately get one with variable speed control. I'm a freak for power tools but for drywall I normally just use a sanding pole with a screen.
On the low end, PC does good, more pricey, Festool or Fein both make great ROS. But for drywall, no way. Too fast. Even with thin paper youll chew through the compound faster than you can catch it. Kind of like trying to use an angle grinder to take the paint off a valuable mustang.
Sand by hand, or get the PC vac/sander if you want it powered.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
I you plan to sand drywall with a hand-held RO sander, you might as well go all the way and cut it with a chainsaw. That way you'll make the maximum amount of mess in the shortest time.
The PC 5" sander, either variable speed or single speed, is a very good tool for the money. Reliable, effective, durable. I have two.
I also have the PC dryweall sander, but it cost a bunch and only does one thing well ... sand drywall. Actually, it also does a good job of sanding texture overspray and dropped blobs of joint compound off the subfloor. With the vac attached, the long arm makes it easy to "sweep" the floor and contain all the dust.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
You don't want to be holding up an electric motor over your head while sanding gyprock. Get a Richard or Marshalltown drywall sanding pad and a good FG extension pole and some screen sanding sheets and you will be much happier and get a better job.
Just so you won't think we're all laughing at you, I'll tell on myself: back when I was about 18, I wanted to do my Grandma a favour and flatten out the 'lumpy' plaster on her bedroom walls before I repainted. So I bought a Crapsman 3" belt sander and some 80-grit belts and had at it....
That lasted about 30 seconds, duh....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
15 or 22 1/2 degree, I usually dont 45 and I never butt.
Doug