1/4 Sheet Sanders

[Dale Genther]

As part of our buisness, which is largely refinishing woodwork on boats, we make extensive use of 1/4 sheet sanders. We have a collection of orbital samders from PC, Bosch, etc. But the ones that see the most use are the 1/4 sheet ones. We are currently using the Dewalt DW41K. They work OK, the problem is that they don't last more than a year. Now these sanders do get a lot of use, typically 4-6 hours a day 5 days a week. We are about to order a new "batch" for this year and are looking of an alternative to the Dewalt. Anyone have any recommendations? I was at Lowes today and saw a Hitachi I hadn't seen before, anyone know anything about it? Hitachi normally makes pretty good stuff. How about the PC Speed Bloc? BTW we need electric not pneumatic as we are not usually in a place where air is available.

[Dale Genther]

As part of our buisness, which is largely refinishing woodwork on boats, we make extensive use of 1/4 sheet sanders. We have a collection of orbital samders from PC, Bosch, etc. But the ones that see the most use are the 1/4 sheet ones. We are currently using the Dewalt DW41K. They work OK, the problem is that they don't last more than a year. Now these sanders do get a lot of use, typically 4-6 hours a day 5 days a week. We are about to order a new "batch" for this year and are looking of an alternative to the Dewalt. Anyone have any recommendations? I was at Lowes today and saw a Hitachi I hadn't seen before, anyone know anything about it? Hitachi normally makes pretty good stuff. How about the PC Speed Bloc? BTW we need electric not pneumatic as we are not usually in a place where air is available.

[Dale Genther]

As part of our buisness, which is largely refinishing woodwork on boats, we make extensive use of 1/4 sheet sanders. We have a collection of orbital samders from PC, Bosch, etc. But the ones that see the most use are the 1/4 sheet ones. We are currently using the Dewalt DW41K. They work OK, the problem is that they don't last more than a year. Now these sanders do get a lot of use, typically 4-6 hours a day 5 days a week. We are about to order a new "batch" for this year and are looking of an alternative to the Dewalt. Anyone have any recommendations? I was at Lowes today and saw a Hitachi I hadn't seen before, anyone know anything about it? Hitachi normally makes pretty good stuff. How about the PC Speed Bloc? BTW we need electric not pneumatic as we are not usually in a place where air is available.

[JimConlin]

The Speedblock is nicely balanced, but a pain to load.
The small gray P-C is OK, but seems miserably noisy
The Makita is OK, but they seem to wear out quickly.
The best ever for me was a French (!) Black&Decker which is very long gone.

Between the 5" RO sanders and the little Fein tool and a hand block or three, there isn't much in my work that cries for a quarter-sheet sander any more.

[JimConlin]

The Speedblock is nicely balanced, but a pain to load.
The small gray P-C is OK, but seems miserably noisy
The Makita is OK, but they seem to wear out quickly.
The best ever for me was a French (!) Black&Decker which is very long gone.

Between the 5" RO sanders and the little Fein tool and a hand block or three, there isn't much in my work that cries for a quarter-sheet sander any more.

[JimConlin]

The Speedblock is nicely balanced, but a pain to load.
The small gray P-C is OK, but seems miserably noisy
The Makita is OK, but they seem to wear out quickly.
The best ever for me was a French (!) Black&Decker which is very long gone.

Between the 5" RO sanders and the little Fein tool and a hand block or three, there isn't much in my work that cries for a quarter-sheet sander any more.

[RonW]

I have a makita that has seen a lot of miles, and I mean a lot of miles, but has finally bit the dirt.I am thinking of replacing with either bosch or hitachi. The dewalts aren't what they used to be. I have went through a lot of tools in the last 30 some years. These tool companies are constantly changing their models, and usually not for the best. I now have a collection with almost every brand, with possibly the exception of dewalt. I have found it is amazing how many hand tools don't fit your hand and are awkward or unbalanced.I go down the line and pick out the one that fits my hand and is balanced. I would rather it wore out sooner, but while you had it you could do precise work with it. It is amazing how tool companies will make some good tools but other tools in their line are so clumsy and awkward. But for the most part bosch ain't bad.
Buy what fits your hand.

[RonW]

I have a makita that has seen a lot of miles, and I mean a lot of miles, but has finally bit the dirt.I am thinking of replacing with either bosch or hitachi. The dewalts aren't what they used to be. I have went through a lot of tools in the last 30 some years. These tool companies are constantly changing their models, and usually not for the best. I now have a collection with almost every brand, with possibly the exception of dewalt. I have found it is amazing how many hand tools don't fit your hand and are awkward or unbalanced.I go down the line and pick out the one that fits my hand and is balanced. I would rather it wore out sooner, but while you had it you could do precise work with it. It is amazing how tool companies will make some good tools but other tools in their line are so clumsy and awkward. But for the most part bosch ain't bad.
Buy what fits your hand.

[RonW]

I have a makita that has seen a lot of miles, and I mean a lot of miles, but has finally bit the dirt.I am thinking of replacing with either bosch or hitachi. The dewalts aren't what they used to be. I have went through a lot of tools in the last 30 some years. These tool companies are constantly changing their models, and usually not for the best. I now have a collection with almost every brand, with possibly the exception of dewalt. I have found it is amazing how many hand tools don't fit your hand and are awkward or unbalanced.I go down the line and pick out the one that fits my hand and is balanced. I would rather it wore out sooner, but while you had it you could do precise work with it. It is amazing how tool companies will make some good tools but other tools in their line are so clumsy and awkward. But for the most part bosch ain't bad.
Buy what fits your hand.

[Bob Perkins]

Dale,

Take a look at the Festool sanders. They do not have a 1/4 sheet exactly - but they have a smallish sander that is very similar in surface area to a 1/4 sheet sander.

It will work extremely well and will last more than a year. It is guaranteed for three and I'd guess it will go a lot longer, even under heavy use. The only downside is it is best to use their paper - which is very good and reasonable priced, But not as convienent as 1/4 sheet sanders.

Bob

[ 03-14-2006, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Bob Perkins ]

[Bob Perkins]

Dale,

Take a look at the Festool sanders. They do not have a 1/4 sheet exactly - but they have a smallish sander that is very similar in surface area to a 1/4 sheet sander.

It will work extremely well and will last more than a year. It is guaranteed for three and I'd guess it will go a lot longer, even under heavy use. The only downside is it is best to use their paper - which is very good and reasonable priced, But not as convienent as 1/4 sheet sanders.

Bob

[ 03-14-2006, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Bob Perkins ]

[Bob Perkins]

Dale,

Take a look at the Festool sanders. They do not have a 1/4 sheet exactly - but they have a smallish sander that is very similar in surface area to a 1/4 sheet sander.

It will work extremely well and will last more than a year. It is guaranteed for three and I'd guess it will go a lot longer, even under heavy use. The only downside is it is best to use their paper - which is very good and reasonable priced, But not as convienent as 1/4 sheet sanders.

Bob

[ 03-14-2006, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Bob Perkins ]

[Bob Smalser]

Bought my B&D Speedblock commercial ball-bearing model in 1986 and it's still going strong. A paint can opener works the best to change sheets.

Also have a yellow DeWalt for the wife (it's lighter), but I suspect it isn't going to last long.

[ 03-15-2006, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

Bought my B&D Speedblock commercial ball-bearing model in 1986 and it's still going strong. A paint can opener works the best to change sheets.

Also have a yellow DeWalt for the wife (it's lighter), but I suspect it isn't going to last long.

[ 03-15-2006, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

Bought my B&D Speedblock commercial ball-bearing model in 1986 and it's still going strong. A paint can opener works the best to change sheets.

Also have a yellow DeWalt for the wife (it's lighter), but I suspect it isn't going to last long.

[ 03-15-2006, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Mrleft8]

I burned out 3 Makitas before I got smart and bought a DeWalt. The DeWalt has lasted longer than the 3 Makitas combined did.

[Mrleft8]

I burned out 3 Makitas before I got smart and bought a DeWalt. The DeWalt has lasted longer than the 3 Makitas combined did.

[Mrleft8]

I burned out 3 Makitas before I got smart and bought a DeWalt. The DeWalt has lasted longer than the 3 Makitas combined did.

[Willin']

I got a very long life out of my old Milwaukee before it gave up the ghost. It also got the award for easiest to load, especially multiple sheets. But that was back in the 80's and it finally died about 1998.

My Makita is ok but a pain to load and nearly impossible to get more than 2 sheets on at a time.

Edited to correct brainfart.

[ 03-15-2006, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Willin' ]

[Willin']

I got a very long life out of my old Milwaukee before it gave up the ghost. It also got the award for easiest to load, especially multiple sheets. But that was back in the 80's and it finally died about 1998.

My Makita is ok but a pain to load and nearly impossible to get more than 2 sheets on at a time.

Edited to correct brainfart.

[ 03-15-2006, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Willin' ]

[Willin']

I got a very long life out of my old Milwaukee before it gave up the ghost. It also got the award for easiest to load, especially multiple sheets. But that was back in the 80's and it finally died about 1998.

My Makita is ok but a pain to load and nearly impossible to get more than 2 sheets on at a time.

Edited to correct brainfart.

[ 03-15-2006, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Willin' ]

[Bark]

Dale:

Another vote for the PC Speedblok. I have the Bosch too, and while it's easier to load, it doesn't have the heft and general feel of the PC. Plus, I like the cord extending from the top of the unit. I tape the sheet-changing tool to the cord, so it's not that big a deal ...

Ben

[Bark]

Dale:

Another vote for the PC Speedblok. I have the Bosch too, and while it's easier to load, it doesn't have the heft and general feel of the PC. Plus, I like the cord extending from the top of the unit. I tape the sheet-changing tool to the cord, so it's not that big a deal ...

Ben

[Bark]

Dale:

Another vote for the PC Speedblok. I have the Bosch too, and while it's easier to load, it doesn't have the heft and general feel of the PC. Plus, I like the cord extending from the top of the unit. I tape the sheet-changing tool to the cord, so it's not that big a deal ...

Ben

[RonW]

Mrleft8 makes a valid point, makita made descent tools in the 80's and early 90's, and by the mid 90's their volume went way up.And that is when the quality started going down.But they are by no means the only tool company that has a fluxuation in quality during different years.

[RonW]

Mrleft8 makes a valid point, makita made descent tools in the 80's and early 90's, and by the mid 90's their volume went way up.And that is when the quality started going down.But they are by no means the only tool company that has a fluxuation in quality during different years.

[RonW]

Mrleft8 makes a valid point, makita made descent tools in the 80's and early 90's, and by the mid 90's their volume went way up.And that is when the quality started going down.But they are by no means the only tool company that has a fluxuation in quality during different years.

[Thorne]

Just picked up the DeWalt today on sale, but broke off the dustbag mount within the first couple of hours. Otherwise seems nice, although the soft pad will need replacing relatively soon.

[Thorne]

Just picked up the DeWalt today on sale, but broke off the dustbag mount within the first couple of hours. Otherwise seems nice, although the soft pad will need replacing relatively soon.

[Thorne]

Just picked up the DeWalt today on sale, but broke off the dustbag mount within the first couple of hours. Otherwise seems nice, although the soft pad will need replacing relatively soon.