random orbital “load” “no load” question
Fonzie
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
On the Makita random orbital (round) sander written on the side is “load” with an arrow one direction and “no load” and the arrow the opposite direction.
I can be notorious for missing the obvious, but I didn’t see a explanation for this in the directions, nor can I figure out what the difference is when I rotate that section in either direction.
Anybody know about this?
Replies
Random Orbital sanders are absolutely amazing. Used properly the speed finish they achieve are light years beyond the pad sanders.
I've worn out several RO in the last few years and what I look for now in a sander is a good dampening system on the pad. Makita has a good one, PC is about the best because the dampening never seems to wear out but the sander does. The Bosch I have spins like crazy as soon as you pick it up and if it is not slowed down before contact, hits like an angle grinder. But when it comes to material removal the Bosch is better than the others I have.
I don't know what the load / no-load thing means on my Makita, Supposedly the thing rotates one way at idle and the other when you press it to the workpiece. My Makita only spins one way and is gaining speed as the dampening wears out.
I am pretty impressed with the cutting ability, also the way it allows you to keep the shape flat while doing it.
I don't understand what you mean by "dampening system". Could you expand on that?
You can also take way more material than intended and in a hurry with a random orbit sander. I've gotten a little carried away and gone through the veneer once or twice, and left a couple of divots in MDF.
The dampening system keeps the pad from spinning at idle. A new Makita barely spins at all untill you press it on the workpiece. With wear the Makita starts to spin a little more. The Makita is a nice RO. The Porter cable barely spins at idle for the life of the tool but I've burned out the motors in 3 of them so far. I think its because of the bodyfiller I've been using on MDF.
The Bosch has a terrible dampening system, it accelerates at idle untill the pad is spinning like crazy. You have to touch it on something to slow it down before attempting to use it. Once you have it working, it works well. Has a very solid feel and doesn't vibrate your hand as much as the Makita or PC.