Replies

1. 
   MikeK50 | Sep 03, 2002 03:09am | #1

   I roginally got the Ryobi many years ago as a gift.  The only think it is good for is putting your arm to sleep!  It vibrates so much that I find it totally unuseable.

   I bought the Porter Cable and find it to be adequate.  At least it has an excellent selection of profiles included and the price is not too bad.  It has worked pretty well for most things I have done with it.  The only bad thing I can say is that the PSA backed sandpaper does not stay in place very well.  You have to keep the rubber profiles very clean prior to applying the PSA sandpaper.

   Trying to design a "detail" sander that works for a myriad of shapes is difficult, at best.  I think that PC did a decent job on this. 

   I have not tried the Fein.  It was too pricey at the time.  Unless you are going to use it a lot, I think the PC is a good buy.

   Mike

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 03, 2002 03:45am | #2

   I got a B&D mouse for Christmas a couple of years ago. Not a primary tool, but not bad and useful for what it is.

   Don

2. 
   PnCbWshp | Sep 03, 2002 04:20am | #3

   I've been using a Dremel detail sander for about 6 months now. I really like it. My projects are certainly not of the crafts type. Rather, they are more "artsie" in nature. Lots of curves and small areas. Generally, I use the Dremel's 3 grits in succession - 80, 150, then 220. From there I handsand 320, 400, 600 and finish with a 3M white pad.

   I like the hook & loop flat pad-it never comes loose. If anything, the paper adheres too  well. It is starting to pull the pad apart. Like the Porter Cable, it has many profiles. Unlike the PC, the Dremel fits nicely into my hand. I've used it hours at a time.

   A couple of downsides are that the fan motor blows the dust right into your face if you are right handed. I always have to wear my face shield. By the way, the vacuum dust collector attachment shown in most catalogs, does not seem to exist. It did not come in my kit and is not available as an option anywhere I can find. The other downside is that the unit heats up with prolonged use almost to the point of being to hot to hold.

   I'll live with the drawbacks and would buy another if mine tanked for some reason.

3. 
   Lar55 | Sep 03, 2002 05:33am | #4

   I have the Milwaukee Detail Sander but have not used it alot, but when I do it works well, no complaints.  It comes with a sufficient number of profiles but not as many as the Porter Cable.  I would buy another Milwaukee or Porter Cable if I had to.

   Lar