Replies

1. 
   jc21 | Dec 19, 2003 06:18pm | #1

   Porter Cable 333VS for random orbit sander or the the PC 330 SpeedBloc for a finish sander. If you could have only one, I'd choose the 333; pretty versatile.
   

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   Edited 12/19/2003 10:21:50 AM ET by jc

   
   

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   Edited 12/19/2003 10:24:54 AM ET by jc

1. 
   adrienne4468 | Dec 19, 2003 10:39pm | #5

   Thanks for your suggestions. I just went over to Home Depot's 20% off sale and told them of their internet price and got the 333 for $35 and change. I think I'll buy him both at these prices. Most other sites have it for $70. and change. Good Deal!

   TonyWe already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 21, 2003 08:53pm | #9

   tony

      PC 333. I know you have already purchased, but thanks for the tip. At that price I will pick up one this after-noon and delegate my 3 year old one to scrubbing rust with an abrasive pad. ha.. ha...

   Regards...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   Sphere | Dec 19, 2003 07:18pm | #2

   What he said.

3. 
   JMartinsky | Dec 19, 2003 08:41pm | #3

   PC333!

   John

4. 
   wgsdvm | Dec 19, 2003 09:51pm | #4

   I have the Porter Cable 333 VS.  It is a very nice OBS!!  He be happy with it for sure.

5. 
   tufenhundel | Dec 19, 2003 10:44pm | #6

   I vote for the Bosch.  I have the 6" version of the Bosch 3725DEVS...so smooth!  Have not used the PC, but have a slew of other PC tools.  IMHO, Bosch tools are a notch more refined than PCs'.

    

6. 
   IMERC | Dec 19, 2003 11:49pm | #7

   Used PC, AEG, DW and Bosch.

   Go with the Bosch....

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   robert1 | Dec 21, 2003 12:50am | #8

   PC 333. I have 2 of them. They work great!

7. 
   Christian | Dec 21, 2003 09:07pm | #10

   Hi Tony,

   I'd look at the Festool sanders. Yes, they are more expensive than PC and Bosch but worth every penny in my opinion. I have an ES 150/3 which I highly recommend.

   Excellent design and ergonomics, well balanced and low weight (you can use it very comfortably with one or two hands), VS, hardly any vibrations (very important if you sand an extended period of time), extremely smooth sanding operation and great finish result, hook and loop (Festool calls it Stickfix) and the best dust collection I can imagine.
   The sander comes with a filter bag which works quite well but if possible connect it to a vac. I have the Festool CT 22 vac (wet/dry extraction, auto on/off, variable suction - very important when using a vac attached to a sander) and have to admit that this combination is hard to beat. It allows almost dust-free sanding.

   Festool offers such a great variety of RO sanders that you'll find the right one for your application.
   The Rotex: 6", unique 3in1 tool which combines preliminary sander, fine sander and polisher
   The ES 125: 5" palm grip model
   The ES 150/5: same as the ES 150/3 but with a 5 mm stroke (the ES 150/3 has a 3 mm stroke)

   No matter which sander you get, do yourself a favor and connect it to a vac.
   
   Here are some reviews of Festool sanders:
   http://benchmark.20m.com/tools/Festool/FestoolIndex.html
   http://www.cjohnhebert.com/toolreviews.htm
   http://home.alliancecable.net/~woodworker/festool.html http://www.woodshopdemos.com/men-fes.htm

   Hope this helps,
   
   Christian Aufreiter, Austria 

    

    

1. 
   Scrit | Dec 21, 2003 10:00pm | #11

   I'd agree with Christian. I have two (slightly older) Festool ET-2e ROSs (the model before the ES) and they are brilliant. They replaced the European equivalent of the Bosch 3725DEVS, which was very good but the Bosch doesn't have dust extraction anywhere near as good as the Festool. The downside is the the Festools are pretty expensive...

   Scrit

1. 
   adrienne4468 | Dec 26, 2003 07:13pm | #12

   My Dad got his 333 yesterday and loved it. Thanks for all your input.

   Tony

   We already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.

1. 
   MichaelPB | Dec 27, 2003 07:41am | #13

   If he does craft stuff a small stocking stuffer would be the extra thick contour pad, it really helps in sanding curves and profiles.  I use the PC with variable speed as my ONLY sander.  I have a box of various others that I never use anymore.

   Michael