Hi,
Anyone have recemmendations on random orbit sanders? I looking for it to sand outside trim and also for furniture projects in the future i.e. desk and kitchen table. I have only ever owneda palm sander and am slowly expanding my tool collection. Thanks!
Replies
Can't go wrong with a Porter Cable 333.
Search on "Random Orbital Sander" and you'll get more hits than you bargained for.
I have a Bosch. Works very well, and sucks up more dust than I expected. Smooth operation, not much vibration.
These things work much faster than palm sanders with a surprising amount of control.
The thing that still surprises me most is how when you sand along an edge, the edge stays sharp, and does not get rounded over.
Won the lotto? Go Festool Rotex, and get the vac, too. (drooling thinking about it)
Go here http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fest-14.htm to see a review.
Edited 11/11/2005 2:27 pm ET by Stinger
Air or electric? Also you mean a DA, right?
WSJ
go for the ridgid, it works great!
Love my Ridgid also. Has the added bonus of being able to use either PSA or velcro backed abrasives.
I have a Bosch 3727 DEVS. That model is int the "mid-group" per a FWW review a few years back. It works well for us doing homeowner tasks. Most of my portable tools are Bosch - they work well and seem to be durable & innovative w/o being terribly pricey.
The sander has variable speed using hook & loop sanding discs. They're better than the adhesive type since you can remove a certain grit for another one w/o messing up the contact medium.
The 3727 model has a 6" dia. I've found that 5" dia discs are much more widely stocked than 6". I also bought an optional connector and sanding hose (3M length?) from Bosch so the sander can be hooked up to a vacuum or dust collector. Vibration gives your hands a "ringing?" feeling - I should get some padded vibration gloves for extended use.
we use a varied collection of 5inch pcs, ridgids and dewalts in our custom cabinet shop
the pc's seem to wear out rapidly but sand very quickly, the ridgids last for ever but are slow, the dewalts seem to be a happy medium and dust collection is great
i just wish the dust hole pattern was the same in all