With no speed control and an aggressive 5/16-in. stroke, this sander made us constantly fight for control. Even with two hands firmly on the tool there was a constant wobble. Considering the rough action, we expected the rate of stock removal to be higher than 18 grams (see test results, p. 67). On the other hand, the dust collection was pretty effective at 92% when attached to a vacuum (there is no onboard canister). Another drawback is the requirement to grease the eccentric head every 50 hours and the gears every 300 hours. None of the other sanders listed a similar maintenance requirement.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Festool Rotex FEQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander
The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.
This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
Yes, there is no speed control. And yes, it is aggressive and Fein suggests lubrication after 50 and 300 hours. I've owned mine for at least 25 years, use it regularly, have never lubricated it (I never took the time to learn how), and use two hands only because it is convenient to do so, having never "fought" for control. Rough or fine sanding is only determined by the grit you use. Fantastic machine!
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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Nov 01, 2008
Comments
Yes, there is no speed control. And yes, it is aggressive and Fein suggests lubrication after 50 and 300 hours. I've owned mine for at least 25 years, use it regularly, have never lubricated it (I never took the time to learn how), and use two hands only because it is convenient to do so, having never "fought" for control. Rough or fine sanding is only determined by the grit you use. Fantastic machine!
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