Replies

1. 
   Armin110 | Nov 30, 2002 04:47pm | #1

   I have a Dynasand air powered palm sander for sanding between finish coats. About $200, turned out to be pretty much a waste of money. I suspect air sanders are not as efficient as the electric counterpart, it will be interesting to see what others have to say about the subject.

2. 
   kdk | Nov 30, 2002 09:41pm | #2

   I have an inexpensive air powered dual action sander that I got specifically for woodworking a number of years ago.  Your compressor sounds very similar to mine.  What I found was that the air consumption on the sander was approximately equal to what my compressor could produce.  The end result was that the compressor ran almost continuously when I was sanding.  In addition, I ended up having to buy a moisture filter/regulator and fabricate a drying system because the moisture from the compressed air was condensing in the sander and would spit water onto my projects through the exhaust port.

   At the time when I purchased the sander, there were very few choices for electric d/a (random orbit) sanders.  I have since purchased an electric model and have not used the air powered model for anything but body-work.  It didn't seem to make sense for the compressor to run continuously and pull 10 amps at 220 volts as opposed to the sander which only pulls about 4 amps at 110 volts.

   Hope this helps.

   -Kurt

1. 
   Ron | Nov 30, 2002 11:26pm | #3

   Kirt,I have used air ros for over twenty years,every day.I have put the air sanders away.The air sanders ice up,heavier,more noise,So your compressor is running,your sander is running and your dust collestion is running.Its not portable like the electric,and rebuilding the air ros cost as much as a new quality electric sander.I'll sell you my unused in the box Hutchenson if your convinced on air.I neaver let any of my employees ever use any air tools that were not high quality.The cheapos simply required two, three more CFM and one of them was also twice as loud as a quality ros.We did some testing in the late eighties. Let us know, Ron

1. 
   kdk | Nov 30, 2002 11:49pm | #4

   Ron, re-read my post.  I'm a fan of the electrics, not air powered sanders.  I think we're on the same page.

   -Kurt

1. 
   Ron | Dec 01, 2002 03:12am | #5

   Kurt,If you have your mind made up go for it but if I were looking for a first buy air tool the random orbital sander wouldn't be on the list. Nailers and hvlp. Buy a good one and compare CFM. Good luck Ron

1. 
   kdk | Dec 01, 2002 09:31pm | #6

   Ron, I didn't ask the initial question.  I replied to the person who did.  I do agree, though, that pneumatic nailers should rank higher on the priority list than an air powered sander.

   -Kurt

3. 
   rslatm | Dec 01, 2002 10:01pm | #7

   We have have 4 Dynabrade sanders in our shop and have had good luck with them. One is the 8" model. We also have a couple of $40 Campbell Hossfelds (sp) aas well as a few lightweight electrics. No comparison to the Dynabrades. The nice thing about Dynabrade is they make them with three different size orbits with the larger orbit being more aggressive and the smaller orbit for a finer finish. I don't think anyone has brought up this point. Also different hardnesses of the pads can be an issue depending on what you are sanding. If you look at the Festo electric sanders you will see this orbit size difference between a couple of their sanders. Dynabrade makes the most air sanders of any company I've seen. I want to see if I can get some other brands to try. Master Power, Sioux and Ingersol Rand have been around for awhile. Some good points were brought up with electric sanders but I don't think I would recommend wet sanding with an electric. We do more than wood in our shop at times. Air nailers are handy but maybe he needs a sander first. Maybe he's gonna sand his car and paint it?

   Rick

1. 
   luna3 | Dec 03, 2002 01:28pm | #8

   I'm a newbie to air tools, so any info is appreciated. Yes, several good points have been made. My experience to date has been with PC sanders (1/4 sheet)and no complaints. I did wet sand a varnished table top with mineral oil and abrasives using a palm sander. It worked OK but what a mess. But I think it's time to explore random orbitals, and since I have the compressor I thought this might be the way to go. I will investigate those Dynabrade tools. Thanks.

1. 
   kdk | Dec 03, 2002 04:46pm | #9

   Lunathree, RSL brings up a good point about wet sanding with an electric sander.  I believe his point is not the mess but the risk of electrocution.  In an earlier post, I eluded to the same point in mentioned that I now only use my air powered sander for body work.  Since I have never found the need to wet sand my wood projects, electrical risk wasn't a concern.  With body work, however, much of the sanding is done with water as a lubricant/coolant/dust inhibitor as well as to prevent clogging of the abrasive paper.  This would create a very hazardous condition if using an electric device.  I can't speak of the electrical conductivity of mineral oil, as you stated you were using as a lubricant.  I agree, though that it'd make a terrible mess!

   Bottom line is that both electric and air powered d/a sanders have their advantages and disadvantages.  For my situation, the electrics are a more appropriate application for my woodworking projects, the air powered units lend themselves better to the body-shop.

   -Kurt

1. 
   Andrew | Dec 03, 2002 11:52pm | #10

   I've used a dynabrade sander, and i would have one of my own if i could fit a large enough compressor in my shop. you'll be dissapointed with the performance if your compressor can't handle the air requirements. i've found that the dynabrade sander leaves a better surface, sands faster, and is much smaller and more comfortable to use than even a good electric sander.