Replies

1. 
   DickL | Jul 14, 2005 05:16pm | #1

   My source, who has a production operation, says Makita holds up the best with Dewalt second. He says 'stay away from Bosch for sanders'. Of course, if you have the $$, there is Festool.

2. 
   rover1 | Jul 14, 2005 07:08pm | #2

   I would go for a Bosch sander first. Bosch tools are some of the best I own. The Makita's in some situations are just as good. DeWalts have been the least reliable and durable, but people just seem to like the color. Festools are probably the best tools money can buy, but I just can't justify the cost with other alternatives that are just as good. I think these sander below are the best you can buy in thier class and are very well priced or even below of their competiters.

   $230-$300 BOSCH /Received FineHomebuilding editers choice. Competes with the Festool Rotex 150.

   http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail.htm?H=175979&G=54925&I=55096

   $140 BOSCH

   http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail.htm?H=175979&G=54925&I=55103

   $160-$170 MAKITA

   http://makita.com/Tools_Item_View.asp?id=319

    

   $70-80 PORTER CABLE

   http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2771

    

3. 
   TJB | Jul 15, 2005 04:26am | #3

   I have owned a Bosch 6" Random orbit hook & loop for about 5 years now. Its been one of the best sanders I ever owned. My son removed 3 layers of paint off and old wooden boat (when I was not around to object). The only thing he did was wear out the disk on the sander so it would not hold the paper on any more. $40 fixed that and its been humming along ever since.

4. 
   SBerruezo | Aug 01, 2005 02:33am | #4

   Depends on the size and application you are looking for.  Festool is probably fantastic, but I don't make enough to find out first hand.  My boss does have a Fein, with the vaccuum hook-up....man is that thing sweet...almost no dust, which saves your lungs and sanding disc.  The PC 7336 or 97336 is a more affordable option (these are all 6" sanders).

    

   Young, poor, and eager to learn

5. 
   MatthewSchenker1 | Nov 16, 2005 05:48pm | #5

   naptown,
   If you're interested in sanders that last a long time, have low vibration, and are 100% dustless, go with Festool.

   The initial cost is higher, but in a short time the price comes down. For example, with Festool, the sanding disks last up to 10 times longer than other sanders, and you can't even calculate the savings to your lungs.

   And if time is an issue, it is great to go directly from sanding to finishing without having to clean a surface of dust first. When you're done sanding with a Festool sander, there is no dust on the surface.

   I have used sanders by DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi, Bosch, and others before I came to Festool. I thought Bosch was the best, until I started using the Festool models. No contest in my mind.

   There are several Festool sanders, and it can be a little confusing which one to choose.

   If you have questions about these, you can check out my Festool group on Yahoo:
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FestoolOwnersGroup/

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/16/2005 9:50 am ET by MatthewSchenker1

1. 
   Toto | Nov 16, 2005 06:55pm | #6

   ... with Festool, the sanding disks last up to 10 times longer

   than other sanders ...

   10 times longer? That's rather impressive, if true. However, Festool

   only claims a 30% longer life in their literature. How did you arrive at the 10x figure?--
   Todd

1. 
   MatthewSchenker1 | Nov 16, 2005 07:04pm | #7

   Toto,
   Festool is being modest!I stand by my statement -- "up to 10 times longer." There is a range. The higher the grit number, the shorter the life. I have 36-grit, 40-grit, and 50-grit disks that have been used for project after project after project... That includes using them to remove hardened glue from large table top glue-ups. The 220-grit and 400-grit disks wear out sooner than the 40- and 50-grit disks. But in all cases, the Festool disks far outlast any other ones I have used.The excellent dust collection has a lot to do with the longevity of the disks.There are of course various grades of other sandpapers -- 3M, Mirka, Norton, Klingspore, and more. The better ones come closer to Festool longevity. I've tried them all, in various sanders.

   Edited 11/16/2005 11:07 am ET by MatthewSchenker1

2. 
   Scrit | Nov 16, 2005 09:04pm | #8

   I'm not going to say 10 times longer, but Festool disks do last longer than those on a replaced Bosch. I think it is due to a combination of better dust extraction and a better quality brake on the orbit.

   Scrit

1. 
   MatthewSchenker1 | Nov 16, 2005 11:30pm | #9

   Scrit,
   Well, since I didn't do a formal study, perhaps I should say that this is my anectdotal experience. I do believe it is true, but I can't prove it absolutely.You are probably correct about the brake. I hadn't thought of that.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Nov 19, 2005 11:26pm | #10

   What about the cost of Festool disks in the 100 - 220 grit range?  I think I pay about $0.50 for Mirka when I buy by the box.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

2. 
   flglide65 | Nov 20, 2005 02:40am | #11

   I paid $ 25 for a box of 100 of 220 grit last month for my Festool sander.

2. 
   DougU | Nov 20, 2005 05:36am | #12

   Matt

   If I'm used to using a PC 5" ROS what is the best Festool to get for ergonomics?

   I like the way the PC feels in my hand but as a machine its no Cadillac.

   Doug

    

1. 
   daviddubya | Nov 20, 2005 06:03am | #13

   The ES125 5" Festool ROS is probably the closest to the feel of the PC ROS.  However, when I made the switch from PC to Festool I went to the ETS150/3, which is a 6" Festool sander.  The 6" surface covers about 40% more area than a 5" sander.  Unless you are sanding a lot of small surfaces, the 6" is a better choice, IMHO.  Festool makes two variations of the ETS150, one with a smaller orbit (ETS150/3), and one with a slightly larger orbit (ETS150/5).  The ETS150/5 is a bit more aggressive.  Both models are faster sanding than the PC you are used to using, and both operate with far less vibration and WAY better dust extraction.

1. 
   flglide65 | Nov 20, 2005 06:26am | #14

   I have the 150/3 also, after switching from a PC. It's the best I have ever had. Depending on the paper used, can go from rough dimension to finish sand faster and with less dust than anything I have ever seen or used.

2. 
   DougU | Nov 20, 2005 07:55am | #15

    and both operate with far less vibration and WAY better dust extraction.

   That right their is a deal breaker.

   I don't have a problem paying the extra for the tool, just replaced my Bosch jig saw with the Fetool and I wonder why I didn't do it sooner!

   Thanks

   Doug

6. 
   QCInspector | Nov 20, 2005 11:20pm | #16

   I can't speak to any of the electric sanders because I've never used any of them.

   If you're open to an air driven tool then look into Dynabrade. They make an air tool for just about any kind of grinding/sanding operation you could think of.

   Here is the link to Dynabrade's site. http://www.dynabrade.com

   They make them in 3 flavors; plain, vacuum, and self generated vacuum models. They also make the sanders in 3/32, 3/16, or 3/8 orbits so you can get the one that covers the kind of sanding you want it for. The 3/16 is most commonly used for general sanding and the 3/32 for sanding finishes.

   I'll also point out that they sell a tool activated shop vacuum cleaner like Fein and the others make, that work on their air tools, and maybe electric too.

   I have a plain 6 inch type but may spring for the kit to convert it to a vacuum type soon. Upgrading that you cant normally do with the electric ones.