So I just had two different sanders die in the last couple weeks, thus I am in the market for a new sander.
I looked but I don’t see any modern reviews so I am asking what everyone here thinks.
I don’t have a budget for one of the $400-800 jobs so I am looking for a bit less expensive.
I do have a large compressor that COULD run a DA sander. So that could be an option.
Anyway any suggestions would be appreciated
Replies
I have the Makita BO5041 and I love it. It's comfortable in my hand and I've been working it hard for almost 5 years. It uses a very common replacement pad that I can get for about $5. The sander is about a hundred bucks, a case is available for about $25 if you want one. The bag it comes with is worthless. I have mine hooked up to my shop vac and almost no dust gets away from me. Enjoy the hunt.
Always had a DeWalt, burned two in 20 years so still a good investment considering it has to sand the bottom of a huge sailboat every so often.
A Dynabrade or similar sander would be an excellent choice, if your compressor can handle it. About 14 cfm at 90psi
I have two electric models (both 5", 8-hole) and like them both. Dewalt and Rigid. I've been using the Dewalt for a long while, then recently got out the Rigid to lend to a neighbor. I realized it works just as well plus it seems to stop a bit faster than the Dewalt when turned off, which is a plus for me.
I received a battery Ryobi as a gift a few years back and don't like it. The battery is offset and it pulls the sander to that side. You have to work to keep it level to the workpiece.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Some thoughts..
I am not really looking at battery powered. I don’t need the portability and I am bad with keeping batteries charged.
As for air powered.. I have a massive compressor. It was my fathers, he was a mechanic and used air tools for everything. So the compress is huge and runs off 220. He planed to use a DA when he bought it but never did as his health deteriorated. So it should run a DA.
It sounds as if you should use the compressor. Compressor tools don't have a heavy motor in the tool, so that difference in mass may make a difference in operation, reducing the strain--especially those long sanding sessions. But I don't know any of the makers of compressor-run woodworking tools.
I agree with you about batteries as unhelpful for most shop tools except drill/drivers, where they are a godsend. But sanders, routers, circa saws, chop saws--all need dust collection--the bags that come with most are a joke. So when you attach your tool to the vacuum hose, it isn't much harder to also run a power cord.
I saw a YouTube video where StumpyNubs within the last 3 or 4 months mentioned that 3M (who normally supplies the automotive industry with quality sanders) was making one for the consumer market. He spoke highly of it. Yes, some of his videos are sponsored content BUT I trust his integrity in that he wouldn't promote crap. That's what I'd look into. Might even have versions that run off of compressed air; the new 3M dustextractor for their new RO sander allows auto on features for compressor run RO sanders.
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