Looking to pick up a new orbit sander and am leaning towards a Dewalt.
Amazon has the 421k for $69 and the 423k for $89. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that the 423 has variable speed (7-12k) whereas the 412 stays at 12k. Is the variable speed worth $20?
Anyone out there have any experience with either one of these?
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. — Walter Percy Chrysler
Replies
Hi John. I have a non variable speed Porter Cable sander, and I really wish that I had purchased the variable speed one. Peter
If you build it - he will come.
Doug and Peter: What technique does the variable speed lend itself to? Or more to the point, what does the variable do better than the non-variable?
We currently have two votes for variable and one for save the $20.jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
Someone's sure to tell me why I'm all wrong on this, but here's my $0.02
The 421 is a fixed 12K RPM which is the top speed on the 423. Not all types of material or types/grits of sandpaper work as well in pedal-to-the-metal mode. I think there's times when it's appropriate to slow things down a bit. Possible reasons include: Lessening glazing of the sandpaper. Sanding things that don't appreciate the additional heat. Decreasing the spin-out factor when you first touch the ROS down. Etc.If you build it - he will come.
I went ahead and ordered the 423. HD had it for $89, but Amazon had reconditioned ones for $59. And I combined that with 150 sheets of sand paper and a Stablemate Plus100. That gave me a $25 discount, no tax, and free s/h.
Looks like they've already shipped the Stablemate (7:23pm email). Not wasting any time!
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
Dang. For $59 I might just check out one of those recon units even though my 421 is still alive and kicking. Sounds like you made out pretty well.
If you build it - he will come.
The 421 is the only ROS I have ever used. I have never found any need for more than the one speed.
Dick Durbin
Having spent a good portion of the weekend using my Porter Cable Variable Speed 5" ROS, my vote goes to spend the extra $20. I was building some Adirondack style chairs and needed to go from cleaning up the flat surfaces to rounding over the edges (lots of them). After trying this a few times at full speed and ending up with poor results, I remembered that the tool had a variable speed. Came off the top end a few notches and gained a tremendous amount of control.
Spend the money, eventually you will be glad you did.
Daddyman105 Weekend Wood Warrier
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