I’m thinking of purchasing a 6″ random orbit sander. Currently, I’d like to use it to remove some paint off of some exterior trim. I need something aggressive, but not unweildy like a belt-sander might be. I’ll also use it on future woodworking projects, so I want to get the right one.
I’ve seen the Festool one and am impressed with the dust collection on it. However, I’m not that rich. So, I’m thinking either Bosch or RIDGID has one that says “made in Germany” on it. Anybody heard anything about these two sanders? I want to make sure this thing has good dust collection!
Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as “Toolfreak”)
Replies
I have a Dewalt I think it is a 443 It has worked fine the only issue I have with it is that the switch can get gummed up with sawdust and I have had to take it apart and clean it. If you can try any of the sanders your interested in check for vibration it can be really hard on the hands. Good luck
Troy
I have the ridgid and am quite pleased with it. Cuts my sanding time considerably compared to my pc 333. Has a large dust collection bag but in my opinion the only way to get adequate dust collection on a sander is by hooking to shopvac or similar unit. John
Bosch, no question. Good Luck!
John
Personally, I would say that if you have a compressor that will run one... buy a pneumatic random orbit (RA) sander. I've used both electric and pneumatic RA sanders and in my mind it's not even close. I very much prefer the pneumatic. Part of that is because they are much lower profile than the typical electric RA sander is. In my experience, the closer your hand is to the surface being sanded, the more the sander becomes more of a natural extension of your hand - easier and more comfortable to use. By the same token, the higher the profile, the more the sander acts and feels like a foreign object that you are trying to control.
Just to help explain how RA sanders work in relation to how aggresively they cut... to try to help you choose a sander that you'll be happy with, of course. Let's use the Bosch 6" as an example. On their site (http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-subcategory.htm?H=175979&G=54925 ) you'll see that on the far right-hand side they list "Eccentric Offset" (EO). That's how big of circles the RA action of the sander makes. Any RA sander, electric of pneumatic, cuts or sands based on two primary criteria: The grit of the sandpaper being used and how large the eccentric offset is. The larger the eccentric offset the more aggresively the sander will cut for any given grit of sandpaper being used.
Pneumatic RA sanders are grouped into three groups based on their eccentric offset. At least DynaBrade does it that way and they're top of the line for pneumatic sanders. They make electric RA sanders too, btw. I've never used one though. So, I can't recommend them.
Anyway... Eccentric Orbit: I'm going from memory here but I believe it starts at 3/32 EO with DynaBrade pneumatic sanders, which is strictly for finish sanding like on a premium automotive paint job. The next is 3/16, which is the EO that is ideal for sanding wood that is to be painted or finished, in my opinion. The largest EO is something like 3/8 I believe. The venders I deal with say that it's only suitable for rough sanding like removing an existing surface coating for example. Even with say... 600 grit sandpaper, an 3/8 EO sander won't produce as smooth of a finished surface as a 3/32 sander using the exact same grit.
I've used pneumatic RA sanders for years as a finisher/painter and even as a cabinet maker. One of our main builders in the shop here at work bought himself a nice DynaBrade RA sander. But, he got one of the 3/32 EO ones and he complains because he says that it doesn't sand very well. He's always wanting to borrow my nearly identical DynaBrade 3/16 sander because it sands more aggresively.
So... at any rate I would recommend taking the manufactorer's listed EO into consideration when purchasing any RA sander.
I hope this has been helpful. I myself was completely ignorant about the role of EO in the sanding process until I bought my last DynaBrade a couple years ago and a salesman explained it all to me. Prior to that I just knew what I liked and what I didn't like... without really understanding the "why" underneath it.
Edited 8/30/2005 3:22 pm ET by Kevin
I agree with the bosch.Agressive and smooth.Rick
I have the Festool 150/3. I would never have spent the money for it but walked into an introductory offer for $65. It is the best RO sander I've ever used. I have used it with 60 grit all the way to 320 grit. The dust collection is phenomenal- if you buy their vacuum, and OK if you use their dust bag. The variable speed is a wonder too, and having different pads - soft, standard and firm, really gives you options on sanding.
The RIDGID sander is made by Metabo.
Regards,
Ron
Well, I went ahead and bought the RIDGID. I wanted the Bosch or Festool, but both were around $300. I got the RIDGID for $140 at Home Depot.
I used it for the first time yesterday. Nice tool!! I try to do my homework and buy tools to last a lifetime. I'm convinced this one will. It is made by Metabo. In fact, it's the exact same tool as one Metabo lists for much more money. If you hold them side by side (at least from pictures I've seen on the web), they're identical.
To those interested in buying one, a couple of things... The "dual orbit" mode doesn't do much for me. It changes the "size" of the orbit between 1/8" and 1/4". The 1/4" orbit is supposed to be more aggressive. I suppose it is, but marginally. I used it to remove a couple of layers of old exterior paint (don't worry, the shop vacuum sucked up all the dust) in the 1/4" orbit mode using 60-grit. Wasn't enough. I had to knock it down with the belt sander first. I think if I could've found 40-grit, it would've worked fine. My understanding is that a different sander with an "eccentric" orbit would do a better job at removing stock and tough paint.
Another note: dust collection on this machine is flawless! What's nice is that it has a beefy adapter for using a standard 2 1/2" or 1 1/4" shop-vac hose. Though the sander was a little akward to use with the larger hose (and heavier). I suppose part of that is because I was using the sander above my head at times.
All in all, this sander does appear to be a great value for the money. Where else are you gonna find a Metabo sander for $140??
Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")
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