orbital sander question

[hoffy]

need to buy orbital sander for general use[inner/outer hull,bulkheads,tight spots].Any preferences/suggestions etc.as to make[s]

[hoffy]

need to buy orbital sander for general use[inner/outer hull,bulkheads,tight spots].Any preferences/suggestions etc.as to make[s]

[hoffy]

need to buy orbital sander for general use[inner/outer hull,bulkheads,tight spots].Any preferences/suggestions etc.as to make[s]

[RodB]

Absolute best medium power unit...Festool 150/3 6" with great dust collection... great long term investment. For more aggressive sandng with two modes, get the Festool Rotex 150 right angle ROS. Together these two sanders make a great system with the Festool CE 22 dust collector/vacumn.

Do a search on this forum for Festool and you will get lots of info comparing Fein to Festool plus other recommendations. Recent Fine Woodworking tool review magazine recommended the Bosch right angle sander in the heavier sander category (not great dust collection) with the best rated by consumers the Festool Rotex 150 (only negative on the Rotex was cost). The Festool and Fein offer really almost dustless sanding, which saves time and is healthier.

In the next level of sanders in power, the Festool 150/3 was rated as best by all accounts with great dust collection. Best bang for the buck was the $69 Rigid 5" ROS with not very good dust collection. I own the Porter Cable 333 5" ROS and would not buy it agian as the sanding pad breaks with hard use ($18.00) and I have had to buy two in the last few months. The Festool or Fein are long term investments with really good performance...

Bosch offers a medium power sander in either 5" or 6" that have always gotten great reviews for smoothness etc with so so dust collection... but cost $150 the Festool 150/3 (at $250) would be a better investment offering a better tool plus really good dust collection.

RB

[ 07-08-2005, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

Absolute best medium power unit...Festool 150/3 6" with great dust collection... great long term investment. For more aggressive sandng with two modes, get the Festool Rotex 150 right angle ROS. Together these two sanders make a great system with the Festool CE 22 dust collector/vacumn.

Do a search on this forum for Festool and you will get lots of info comparing Fein to Festool plus other recommendations. Recent Fine Woodworking tool review magazine recommended the Bosch right angle sander in the heavier sander category (not great dust collection) with the best rated by consumers the Festool Rotex 150 (only negative on the Rotex was cost). The Festool and Fein offer really almost dustless sanding, which saves time and is healthier.

In the next level of sanders in power, the Festool 150/3 was rated as best by all accounts with great dust collection. Best bang for the buck was the $69 Rigid 5" ROS with not very good dust collection. I own the Porter Cable 333 5" ROS and would not buy it agian as the sanding pad breaks with hard use ($18.00) and I have had to buy two in the last few months. The Festool or Fein are long term investments with really good performance...

Bosch offers a medium power sander in either 5" or 6" that have always gotten great reviews for smoothness etc with so so dust collection... but cost $150 the Festool 150/3 (at $250) would be a better investment offering a better tool plus really good dust collection.

RB

[ 07-08-2005, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

Absolute best medium power unit...Festool 150/3 6" with great dust collection... great long term investment. For more aggressive sandng with two modes, get the Festool Rotex 150 right angle ROS. Together these two sanders make a great system with the Festool CE 22 dust collector/vacumn.

Do a search on this forum for Festool and you will get lots of info comparing Fein to Festool plus other recommendations. Recent Fine Woodworking tool review magazine recommended the Bosch right angle sander in the heavier sander category (not great dust collection) with the best rated by consumers the Festool Rotex 150 (only negative on the Rotex was cost). The Festool and Fein offer really almost dustless sanding, which saves time and is healthier.

In the next level of sanders in power, the Festool 150/3 was rated as best by all accounts with great dust collection. Best bang for the buck was the $69 Rigid 5" ROS with not very good dust collection. I own the Porter Cable 333 5" ROS and would not buy it agian as the sanding pad breaks with hard use ($18.00) and I have had to buy two in the last few months. The Festool or Fein are long term investments with really good performance...

Bosch offers a medium power sander in either 5" or 6" that have always gotten great reviews for smoothness etc with so so dust collection... but cost $150 the Festool 150/3 (at $250) would be a better investment offering a better tool plus really good dust collection.

RB

[ 07-08-2005, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[Hal Forsen]

I have a small Bosch I bought several years ago that is still working just fine and recently (thanks to a tip from somebody on this site) picked up the Rigid 6" RO that is made in Germany by Metabo for somewhat less then the nice but pricey Festool product. I really like this tool and with my Fein vac the dust collection is excellent.
HF

[Hal Forsen]

I have a small Bosch I bought several years ago that is still working just fine and recently (thanks to a tip from somebody on this site) picked up the Rigid 6" RO that is made in Germany by Metabo for somewhat less then the nice but pricey Festool product. I really like this tool and with my Fein vac the dust collection is excellent.
HF

[Hal Forsen]

I have a small Bosch I bought several years ago that is still working just fine and recently (thanks to a tip from somebody on this site) picked up the Rigid 6" RO that is made in Germany by Metabo for somewhat less then the nice but pricey Festool product. I really like this tool and with my Fein vac the dust collection is excellent.
HF

[Bob Cleek]

No problems here with the Porter Cable ROS. My pad has held up fine. Perhaps its a function of how hard you use it. I also use a Makita 2000 RPM polishing rig with a foam pad for sanding large areas (10" pad) and the old standby, a PC Speedbloc for finish sanding. And, of course, a Fein detail sander/saw/caulk remover (great tool!) All have served me well. First rule of tools: Buy the best you can afford! It will pay dividends down the line.

[Bob Cleek]

No problems here with the Porter Cable ROS. My pad has held up fine. Perhaps its a function of how hard you use it. I also use a Makita 2000 RPM polishing rig with a foam pad for sanding large areas (10" pad) and the old standby, a PC Speedbloc for finish sanding. And, of course, a Fein detail sander/saw/caulk remover (great tool!) All have served me well. First rule of tools: Buy the best you can afford! It will pay dividends down the line.

[Bob Cleek]

No problems here with the Porter Cable ROS. My pad has held up fine. Perhaps its a function of how hard you use it. I also use a Makita 2000 RPM polishing rig with a foam pad for sanding large areas (10" pad) and the old standby, a PC Speedbloc for finish sanding. And, of course, a Fein detail sander/saw/caulk remover (great tool!) All have served me well. First rule of tools: Buy the best you can afford! It will pay dividends down the line.

[JimConlin]

The Festool Rotex 150 is a very fine tool, but for about half the money, the Porter-Cable 733x 5" or 6" machines will do the job and last well.

[JimConlin]

The Festool Rotex 150 is a very fine tool, but for about half the money, the Porter-Cable 733x 5" or 6" machines will do the job and last well.

[JimConlin]

The Festool Rotex 150 is a very fine tool, but for about half the money, the Porter-Cable 733x 5" or 6" machines will do the job and last well.

[Paul Girouard]

Porter cable 7336 ROS purchaed 1991 , used hard still on disc # 1 although I have purchased a replacemnet they sent one with holes for a vac system . Didn't like it much, I had lots of non holed PSA paper and the holes in the new dics tore the paper :mad: So I put back on the old disc . At the cab shop we had a fein with the vac it worked well the vac , that sander had hook and loop paper , the disc on the sander was less flexable so for the contour sanding on a boat I'd think / would use the PSA disc and paper. HTBH ;) PEG

[Paul Girouard]

Porter cable 7336 ROS purchaed 1991 , used hard still on disc # 1 although I have purchased a replacemnet they sent one with holes for a vac system . Didn't like it much, I had lots of non holed PSA paper and the holes in the new dics tore the paper :mad: So I put back on the old disc . At the cab shop we had a fein with the vac it worked well the vac , that sander had hook and loop paper , the disc on the sander was less flexable so for the contour sanding on a boat I'd think / would use the PSA disc and paper. HTBH ;) PEG

[Paul Girouard]

Porter cable 7336 ROS purchaed 1991 , used hard still on disc # 1 although I have purchased a replacemnet they sent one with holes for a vac system . Didn't like it much, I had lots of non holed PSA paper and the holes in the new dics tore the paper :mad: So I put back on the old disc . At the cab shop we had a fein with the vac it worked well the vac , that sander had hook and loop paper , the disc on the sander was less flexable so for the contour sanding on a boat I'd think / would use the PSA disc and paper. HTBH ;) PEG

[RodB]

You will have to decide whether or not you require a more aggressive right angle sander for some of your work... or not. If so you will probably need two sanders, a right angle (more powerful) ROS, and a smaller unit or finishing sander. If you will not require a right angle ROS, then just pick a good medium powered unit that feels good and fits your budget. All the major players make medium sized 5" ROS units.

I have the Black and Decker Industrial right angle ROS (now only available as Dewalt) and it does a good job. I only paid about $100 and have replaced the PSA pad once. I use mostly 80 grit Sterrate coated from Klingspore. This sander is quite loud but does a pretty good job. I am looking to replace it in the future.

I also came across a deal on an 8" Fein ROS and tried it for awhile but decided to sell it as it was limitied in its use for me and quite heavy.
My next sander/sanders will be the Festool Rotex 150 and/or the 150/3 with dust collection. I got to try the Rotex and liked it fine. I have not tried the 150/3 yet. I would think these would be the last sanders I will ever buy.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p08f63641f899f90d961b7665cbf3abe3/f3568858.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p86056e069e11f86dc4a614dfe3556f15/f3568857.jpg

I plan on checking out the Bosch right angle ROS before making a purchase because it has gotten good reviews (rated best against the Rotex because of cost) , is less expensive than the Festool Rotex... I would definitely like to try it ...but supposedly it does not have the dust collection capability equal to the Festool and Fein...but the review says its really fine.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pabea86d9c123f41cc600dca3efb75af4/f356885b.jpg

I think once one uses a system with good dust collection you won't go back. Remember both Fein and Festool both were developed from the start to offer "dustless sanding" and they cost accordingly. I have played with the Porter Cable right angle sander and it seems fine, just a bit too large in diameter in the grip for my taste.

I found one of the Rigid 6" ROS (made by Matebo for Home Depot) used for $50 and use it some. Dust collection is pretty good with my shop vac. I think it is too heavy and not as handy as my right angle sander due to the height. Although my right angle sander is larger, its not as high so I find the Rigid too tall and heavy for my tastes...its height makes it not any handier than my right angle sander.

If you are not worried about dust collection you may want to check out the medium powered Bosch ROS here .
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pc985477ef54937a8084a72549a07bc34/f356885a.jpg

I saw a review on Random Orbital Sanders a while back (I think by Fine Woodworking) where all the folks performing the tests wanted one of these sanders. It was their favorite for smoothness, least vibration, and supposedly sanded beautifully. Bosch offers several ROS's. Of course the Festool 150/3 wasn't around at the time. The cost of this model of Bosch is about $150 and it comes in either 5" or 6" size...not very good dust collection.

You need to try prospective sanders if possible before buying. You would hate to buy a supposedly great sander and fine out later on you just didn't like the feel of it.

One final note: the Porter Cable "Speedblock" is recommended as one of the finest finishing sanders out there... mentioned in the Painting/Varnishing books available from our hosts.

Festool (http://www.festoolusa.com/category.aspx?ID=7)

Bosch sanders (http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-category.htm?H=175979)

Good luck,

RB

[ 07-12-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

You will have to decide whether or not you require a more aggressive right angle sander for some of your work... or not. If so you will probably need two sanders, a right angle (more powerful) ROS, and a smaller unit or finishing sander. If you will not require a right angle ROS, then just pick a good medium powered unit that feels good and fits your budget. All the major players make medium sized 5" ROS units.

I have the Black and Decker Industrial right angle ROS (now only available as Dewalt) and it does a good job. I only paid about $100 and have replaced the PSA pad once. I use mostly 80 grit Sterrate coated from Klingspore. This sander is quite loud but does a pretty good job. I am looking to replace it in the future.

I also came across a deal on an 8" Fein ROS and tried it for awhile but decided to sell it as it was limitied in its use for me and quite heavy.
My next sander/sanders will be the Festool Rotex 150 and/or the 150/3 with dust collection. I got to try the Rotex and liked it fine. I have not tried the 150/3 yet. I would think these would be the last sanders I will ever buy.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p08f63641f899f90d961b7665cbf3abe3/f3568858.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p86056e069e11f86dc4a614dfe3556f15/f3568857.jpg

I plan on checking out the Bosch right angle ROS before making a purchase because it has gotten good reviews (rated best against the Rotex because of cost) , is less expensive than the Festool Rotex... I would definitely like to try it ...but supposedly it does not have the dust collection capability equal to the Festool and Fein...but the review says its really fine.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pabea86d9c123f41cc600dca3efb75af4/f356885b.jpg

I think once one uses a system with good dust collection you won't go back. Remember both Fein and Festool both were developed from the start to offer "dustless sanding" and they cost accordingly. I have played with the Porter Cable right angle sander and it seems fine, just a bit too large in diameter in the grip for my taste.

I found one of the Rigid 6" ROS (made by Matebo for Home Depot) used for $50 and use it some. Dust collection is pretty good with my shop vac. I think it is too heavy and not as handy as my right angle sander due to the height. Although my right angle sander is larger, its not as high so I find the Rigid too tall and heavy for my tastes...its height makes it not any handier than my right angle sander.

If you are not worried about dust collection you may want to check out the medium powered Bosch ROS here .
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pc985477ef54937a8084a72549a07bc34/f356885a.jpg

I saw a review on Random Orbital Sanders a while back (I think by Fine Woodworking) where all the folks performing the tests wanted one of these sanders. It was their favorite for smoothness, least vibration, and supposedly sanded beautifully. Bosch offers several ROS's. Of course the Festool 150/3 wasn't around at the time. The cost of this model of Bosch is about $150 and it comes in either 5" or 6" size...not very good dust collection.

You need to try prospective sanders if possible before buying. You would hate to buy a supposedly great sander and fine out later on you just didn't like the feel of it.

One final note: the Porter Cable "Speedblock" is recommended as one of the finest finishing sanders out there... mentioned in the Painting/Varnishing books available from our hosts.

Festool (http://www.festoolusa.com/category.aspx?ID=7)

Bosch sanders (http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-category.htm?H=175979)

Good luck,

RB

[ 07-12-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

You will have to decide whether or not you require a more aggressive right angle sander for some of your work... or not. If so you will probably need two sanders, a right angle (more powerful) ROS, and a smaller unit or finishing sander. If you will not require a right angle ROS, then just pick a good medium powered unit that feels good and fits your budget. All the major players make medium sized 5" ROS units.

I have the Black and Decker Industrial right angle ROS (now only available as Dewalt) and it does a good job. I only paid about $100 and have replaced the PSA pad once. I use mostly 80 grit Sterrate coated from Klingspore. This sander is quite loud but does a pretty good job. I am looking to replace it in the future.

I also came across a deal on an 8" Fein ROS and tried it for awhile but decided to sell it as it was limitied in its use for me and quite heavy.
My next sander/sanders will be the Festool Rotex 150 and/or the 150/3 with dust collection. I got to try the Rotex and liked it fine. I have not tried the 150/3 yet. I would think these would be the last sanders I will ever buy.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p08f63641f899f90d961b7665cbf3abe3/f3568858.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p86056e069e11f86dc4a614dfe3556f15/f3568857.jpg

I plan on checking out the Bosch right angle ROS before making a purchase because it has gotten good reviews (rated best against the Rotex because of cost) , is less expensive than the Festool Rotex... I would definitely like to try it ...but supposedly it does not have the dust collection capability equal to the Festool and Fein...but the review says its really fine.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pabea86d9c123f41cc600dca3efb75af4/f356885b.jpg

I think once one uses a system with good dust collection you won't go back. Remember both Fein and Festool both were developed from the start to offer "dustless sanding" and they cost accordingly. I have played with the Porter Cable right angle sander and it seems fine, just a bit too large in diameter in the grip for my taste.

I found one of the Rigid 6" ROS (made by Matebo for Home Depot) used for $50 and use it some. Dust collection is pretty good with my shop vac. I think it is too heavy and not as handy as my right angle sander due to the height. Although my right angle sander is larger, its not as high so I find the Rigid too tall and heavy for my tastes...its height makes it not any handier than my right angle sander.

If you are not worried about dust collection you may want to check out the medium powered Bosch ROS here .
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/pc985477ef54937a8084a72549a07bc34/f356885a.jpg

I saw a review on Random Orbital Sanders a while back (I think by Fine Woodworking) where all the folks performing the tests wanted one of these sanders. It was their favorite for smoothness, least vibration, and supposedly sanded beautifully. Bosch offers several ROS's. Of course the Festool 150/3 wasn't around at the time. The cost of this model of Bosch is about $150 and it comes in either 5" or 6" size...not very good dust collection.

You need to try prospective sanders if possible before buying. You would hate to buy a supposedly great sander and fine out later on you just didn't like the feel of it.

One final note: the Porter Cable "Speedblock" is recommended as one of the finest finishing sanders out there... mentioned in the Painting/Varnishing books available from our hosts.

Festool (http://www.festoolusa.com/category.aspx?ID=7)

Bosch sanders (http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-category.htm?H=175979)

Good luck,

RB

[ 07-12-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[Todd Bradshaw]

Front left: 1975 Rockwell (Porter Cable's grandma) Speedblock. Still going strong, so I guess they must last a while.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p53bb45560b955bdb21168797feedfebe/f34d54c5.jpg

For those really tough stains, I suggest the big gray B&D 8" 4800 RPM grinder in the back. Nicknamed "the hog" because you don't hold it, you ride it. I actually used to do finish sanding with it. With a feathering disk and some 150 grit paper it will leave a shine on a piece of wood. When we switched from polyester resin to epoxy we found that it ran so fast that it melted and smeared the epoxy, so I switched to the big Milwaukee polisher which only runs about half the speed of the B&D. Dust is no problem with either one (as long as you're wearing a space suit). Being used to big, fast sanders, I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought the little PC Random Orbit, but was pleasantly surprised. I've given it several years of hard use, stripping boat bottoms, sanding epoxy and sanding most of the oak baseboards and trim in our house and it's still doing great. It may not be as fancy as some of the higher priced brands, but I'm quite convinced that it was worth every penny I paid for it and more.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Front left: 1975 Rockwell (Porter Cable's grandma) Speedblock. Still going strong, so I guess they must last a while.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p53bb45560b955bdb21168797feedfebe/f34d54c5.jpg

For those really tough stains, I suggest the big gray B&D 8" 4800 RPM grinder in the back. Nicknamed "the hog" because you don't hold it, you ride it. I actually used to do finish sanding with it. With a feathering disk and some 150 grit paper it will leave a shine on a piece of wood. When we switched from polyester resin to epoxy we found that it ran so fast that it melted and smeared the epoxy, so I switched to the big Milwaukee polisher which only runs about half the speed of the B&D. Dust is no problem with either one (as long as you're wearing a space suit). Being used to big, fast sanders, I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought the little PC Random Orbit, but was pleasantly surprised. I've given it several years of hard use, stripping boat bottoms, sanding epoxy and sanding most of the oak baseboards and trim in our house and it's still doing great. It may not be as fancy as some of the higher priced brands, but I'm quite convinced that it was worth every penny I paid for it and more.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Front left: 1975 Rockwell (Porter Cable's grandma) Speedblock. Still going strong, so I guess they must last a while.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid177/p53bb45560b955bdb21168797feedfebe/f34d54c5.jpg

For those really tough stains, I suggest the big gray B&D 8" 4800 RPM grinder in the back. Nicknamed "the hog" because you don't hold it, you ride it. I actually used to do finish sanding with it. With a feathering disk and some 150 grit paper it will leave a shine on a piece of wood. When we switched from polyester resin to epoxy we found that it ran so fast that it melted and smeared the epoxy, so I switched to the big Milwaukee polisher which only runs about half the speed of the B&D. Dust is no problem with either one (as long as you're wearing a space suit). Being used to big, fast sanders, I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought the little PC Random Orbit, but was pleasantly surprised. I've given it several years of hard use, stripping boat bottoms, sanding epoxy and sanding most of the oak baseboards and trim in our house and it's still doing great. It may not be as fancy as some of the higher priced brands, but I'm quite convinced that it was worth every penny I paid for it and more.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I have the medium powered bosch pictured above. It was cheap,(115 Canuck) and it works just fine. I still have my half sheet Makita, a 1/4 sheet dewalt, and a belt sander, a big grinder, a P/C contour sander and numerous small grinders and drill paraphenalia. I find good sandpaper makes a world of difference on even a medium priced sander.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I have the medium powered bosch pictured above. It was cheap,(115 Canuck) and it works just fine. I still have my half sheet Makita, a 1/4 sheet dewalt, and a belt sander, a big grinder, a P/C contour sander and numerous small grinders and drill paraphenalia. I find good sandpaper makes a world of difference on even a medium priced sander.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I have the medium powered bosch pictured above. It was cheap,(115 Canuck) and it works just fine. I still have my half sheet Makita, a 1/4 sheet dewalt, and a belt sander, a big grinder, a P/C contour sander and numerous small grinders and drill paraphenalia. I find good sandpaper makes a world of difference on even a medium priced sander.