Replies

1. 
   TXJon | Jan 26, 2005 12:54am | #1

   I bought one a little over a year ago, expecting to hate it and hoping to kill it and return it for a refund after the project I bought it for ( a  floor).

   I couldn't kill it, and it turns out I really like it.  I have heard that it is a rebranded Metabo sander, which puts it head and shoulders above the usual Ryobi crap.  It's plenty aggressive, and really not too loud.  Dust collection is just ok, but better than my 5" Bosch.  Hooked to a vac it's great.

   FWIW the manual was in English and German, if that lends weight to the Metabo theory.

1. 
   giametti | Jan 26, 2005 04:31am | #3

   Yes, the Ridgid is made by Metabo. I looked at it closely, but jumped when Festool had a short special on their 3mm orbit 6" sander. Now I know why people who own Festool(s) (?) rave about them. It is a very smooth, sweet machine. Otherwise I'd put the Ridgid/Metabo (it's a dual orbit sander, by the way) at the top of my list.

1. 
   gusser33 | Jan 26, 2005 05:41am | #4

   Hi. what do you mean by dual orbital?? How much did you pay for your festool, if you don't mind.

1. 
   giametti | Jan 26, 2005 06:10am | #5

   If I recall, the Metabo can be set to two different orbits, for aggressive or fine sanding. Festool makes a 3mm orbit, and a 5mm orbit.
   Festool ran a quiet promotion to professional woodworkers/cabinetmakers a few months ago. They offered the ETS150 sander, usually $235, for $59. Couldn't pass it up. The idea is to get folks past the fact that these are expensive tools. I think it's worked.

2. 
   woodensplinter | Jan 26, 2005 02:14am | #2

   My only experience with the Ridgid is second-hand.  My brother-in-law bought one about a year and a half ago.  Its about the only sander he uses.  He claims it has lots of power, decent weight and, as stated, works well when hooked up to his shop vac (that's the only way he uses his sanders).

   BTW:  his is the dual orbit model (R2610, I think).

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   Edited 1/25/2005 6:15 pm ET by wooden splinter

   
   

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   Edited 1/26/2005 8:10 pm ET by wooden splinter

3. 
   Telemike | Jan 26, 2005 06:43am | #6

   I bought the PC 6" a few years ago to sand old varnish off of a 2x6 TG wall that I found behind some sh** brown panelling. It is aggressive, dust collection isn't much good, and the ergonomics are daunting. One hand holds the right angle handle, the other holds the body of the machine. Unfortunately, the body of the machine is too big and kills my hands (which aren't especially small). Someday I'll put a handle on it - when I get around to it.

   The 5" is a better choice for almost all smaller work. The big one is hard to use for long and the 5" is a good one hander.

4. 
   AlanTurner | Jan 26, 2005 03:00pm | #7

   I have the Metabo dual orbit, and were I to do it again, would go with the Festool, although the Metabo is excellent. It is just atht the other Festool tolls that I have are so good, that the sanders must be as well. Assuming the Rigid is like my 6" Metabo, you will not be disappointed. Very good DC when hooked to a Fein vac.

   Alan

   http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com

5. 
   frenchy | Jan 26, 2005 09:52pm | #8

   they testedn this a while ago,  I don't remember where it came in but if I rememmber they said nice things like they do for the third runner up...

     The best and quiestest was the Mikita..  Mine lasted well over 30,000 bd.ft. (used 150, 180 and 220 grit so it actually lasted a total of 90,000 bd.ft.  before the brushes wore out,  I still have it and someday I'll get another set of brushes and see just how long the darn thing will last.. Much quieter than anything since..