The time has come to upgrade my small Bosch (green line) ROS. With an improving level of skill I’m finding the Bosch vibrates more than I like and is very noisy. Well, that’s the excuse I’m sticking to and, anyway, Christmas is coming and the DW is looking for present hints.
Jobs in the immediate pipeline include removing surface scratches from a hardwood floor (the floor is finished with tung oil topped by a water borne polish), a pair of bedside tables and some paint grade cabinet work. I have a Festo shop vac purchased (with an eye to the future) to clean up during home renovations.
I’ve read the FWW #132 review of ROSs and am attracted to the Festo RO 150 E – although expensive I like the idea of a tool that can coarse and fine sand, and also polish. However, I’ve also seen very good reviews for some of the lighter ROSs designed for fine finishing. Ideally any sander I buy will still be going strong in 20+ years time so I don’t mind paying a extra for a professional grade tool.
What I would like is some feedback from users about the ROS they own or use. Comments on things like the differences in use and ease of control between the pistol grip and angle grinder style of tool. How effective are pistol grip sanders when used as a polisher. Also ideas on alternatives such as: is it better to buy two sanders, one specialised for fine finishing the other specialised for rapid stock removal.
thanks in advance
Ian
Replies
If you can, go with pnuematic.
Ian, My old Porter Cable has been going strong for about 7 years or more. Never a problem and the variable speed is a wonderful advantage. Does not have a dust collector but in those days none were provided. Good picking. Phil
My 10 year old PC with dust collector attachmnet is still going strong, I can't imagine anything better. Carl
I have the 6" Bosch w/hook and loop. I love it and I'm also picky about my tools. However everything I've read suggests a pneumatic if you have a large compressor.
Ian,
I've been using the Metabo Duo for some years now (it's on its 3rd pad) & I'm still happy with it.
I don't worry too much about changing the orbit from 3 to 6mm, just rely on selecting the appropriate grit for the job. A mate of mine who runs a stripping shop has the Festo & did comment on the cost of replacement pads (last time we talked tools over a brew), so check that out before you buy.
As for grip I like the pistol as I often use it one handed, a little like you'd use a palm sander just letting the weight of the tool work. I have a polisher so the Metabo is only used for sanding.
When this one finally dies I think I'll probably go air as they are a bit more apprentice proof however they do have their constraints, like having to cart a compessor to site.
I have the festool rotex and like it. the sand paper is not that expensive and the discs are around $25 or so. I would recomend the rotex highly!
Also in the new tool crib catalog there is a makita unit that looks like a copy of the rotex makita wants over 300 I think so my vote is still on the rotex. Their dust extraction is superb and that alone is enough for me. The drills are great too.
j.
Another vote for the Festo Rotex. Very well-made, and very versatile. The dust collection is nice to have, too. Nick
Where in the States can you get Rotex? The brand has come up before and I remember doing a web search only to find them nowhere available.
Don
Rotex is the name of one of the sanders sold by Festool.
http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/index.cfm
I use the PC 333VS hooked up to my shop vac. This combo gives me virtually dust free sanding. I like the Fesstool system but cost is an issue for me.
I've gone through most RO's on the market. Three years ago I purchased a Dewalt 5" RO with a 2 year guarentee thinking,"I wonder how many of these I can wear out in 2 years". I'm still using it.I purchased a 6" Dewalt RO 2 years ago, same thing. They're both reasonably aggresive, dust collection is very good and easy to handle.On the down side spin dampening could be better, though I've found them to be better than Bosch.The Bosch sanders, all three different ones,weren't bad except none lasted through warrenty. they were repaired and promptly crapped out.I've used the 6" Fein and prefer the Dewalt. The PC 5" RO's just don't seem to hold up, they're probably the best finish sander, but I have a box full of dead ones. The 5" PC angle RO is a good aggresive sander and I'm still on my first one, however, no dust collection and they are a bit squirrily. I've seen the top end Metabo at a trade show.Looks impressive, a brief test sand left me feeling that it was probably the best of the bunch. The price is a bit scary.I also use a 5" Dynabrade in the shop. I'm not wild about its dust pick-up but they sand well. Over all,the Dewalts seem to have more pros than cons and I find them comfortable to use.
The sand paper you use also makes a big difference.I've had good luck with Klingspor.
Anyhoo, hope you find one that works for you, it took me a while and I'm still looking for the perfect sander.
Cheerz,Glendo.
Ian,
I've been using a Fien with their vacuum. Incredible dust collection. This thing will actually pick things up off the bench with the sander running. Large things. It is an angle grinder type with no speed control or variable orbit pattern. I've had variable speed models and never used the feature so I didn't really miss that. It's aggressive and takes some getting use to, finding the balance and what not, but does a superb job. This is a sander meant to be used all day every day and last longer than me. It takes 8 hole 6" discs.
Thanks for the feedback.
I was a bit worried about how easy the angle grinder style would be to hold, especially if the tool is only used occasionally. Looks as though I'll go with a pistol grip style, the other advantage being that the tool comes with it's own dust collection, so I wont have to always drag the dust extractor around when I use it.
Air would be nice, but I don't have a compressor, or space to install one.
thanks again
Ian
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