Thread: Where to see/buy Mirka Ceros ROS in Brisbane?

Originally Posted by chocwheaton

Anyone know a Brisbane based supplier for Mirka sanders?

Electric Sanders

They're roughly festool money, or a little more I think. Interested in them mainly because of the low weight compared to the festool ets 150's.

Cheers

Try here: Contact Us I was converted a couple of years ago at a trade show and haven't looked back. Half the size and weight of the Festool and they don't lose speed under load. Little bit pricier but worth every cent.
Only thing to keep in mind is that the pad supplied is the equivalent to the Festool medium, so it has a tendency to round edges a little if you're not careful. It's also not ideal for flattening joins that are more than about 0.5mm out. I have tried to get the hard Mirka Unipad but the distributor in Melbourne didn't know what I was even talking about and didn't want to. I even contacted suppliers in Germany and England and they both had "no facility to ship to Australia"... guess they haven't discovered the postal service. I also tried third party pads, but they were all medium hardness as well. And the Festool pads won't fit either (that was a $60 experiment that didn't end well). So, if you do manage to hunt a hard pad down, PLEASE let me know.

According to the specs, the one you linked to only runs on 120V, so I would guess you can't find them anywhere in Oz.

Edit: actually I stand corrected. Seems there are 240V versions. There's a place in WA that has them. No idea about Brissie though

The one I linked to is where I bought mine.

Thanks all. I don't think I could buy a $500+ sander without holding one. Better yet a test run in the shop like you can a festool would be in order for that kind of money.

In particular I would like to be able to turn up at a shop or service centre in case I have any issues with it. I hate having to resolve issues via post returns.

BC coatings did have a contact address for Brisbane, so I'll give them a call. Contact Us

Managed to find this info for Australian Mirka contacts: SG_Australia Will send an email to [email protected] and see what they say about Brisbane.

elanjacob: your experience trying to find a harder pad is pretty much the kind of thing I'm worried about buying into...limited support in Australia. I think I remember reading on international forums that Mirka have heaps of different pad types. A shame they're hard to get here. I have 3 shops within 30 minutes drive that will sell me replacement festool pads. That kind of convienence does count for something.

Cheers

Greg

Yes, the lack of support can be an issue. I'm also a bit spoiled for choice as my 'shed' is the work factory, so if I need a hard sander I grab the Festool. That being said, the Mirka seems to run much cooler and the Velcro doesn't wear out as fast. Not sure if the two are linked or not, but I've had the same pad for two years and it's not losing grip at all, we go through a Festool pad in about 6 months, so if you can find a hard pad I don't think you'll have to replace it anytime soon. The Mirka is also brushless so it has fewer internal bits that could need replacing.

Either way you'll have a great sander.

I got an nice and prompt initial response from mirka. I should find out soon if there's a Brisbane supplier

---------
Hi Greg,


Thank you for your enquiry.


I’ve copied our representative in Australia, Mr Peter Sadler, in this email and Peter will be able to provide further information about locating CEROS in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, I’ve attached a leaflet about CEROS for your reference.


Thank you.


Best regards
------------

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Yes, the lack of support can be an issue. I'm also a bit spoiled for choice as my 'shed' is the work factory, so if I need a hard sander I grab the Festool. That being said, the Mirka seems to run much cooler and the Velcro doesn't wear out as fast. Not sure if the two are linked or not, but I've had the same pad for two years and it's not losing grip at all, we go through a Festool pad in about 6 months, so if you can find a hard pad I don't think you'll have to replace it anytime soon. The Mirka is also brushless so it has fewer internal bits that could need replacing.

Either way you'll have a great sander.

Do you find the abranet abrasive easily available (relatively speaking...I know it won't be stocked at bunnings )?

Cheers

I've heard back from the Aus Mirka rep (fast service all round) and the Brisbane supplier is Ford parts, paint and refinish located in Eagle Farm. They stock the CEROS 150mm ROS and abranet abrasives, but are out of sanders at the moment. A new order is expected to be placed in a few weeks. They're also open on Saturdays, so for us weekday working types, there is a Saturday morning supply run option. Beats taking time off work to go to a Mon-Fri only shop.

Price quoted was $667 inc GST. About $100 more than the equivalent Festool, the ETS 150/5. I don't know if the CEROS comes in a proper storage container for that price. I've seen pictures of the CEROS in what looks like a festool systainer, just bright yellow. Is the extra $100 worth it? I have no idea!!

I'll wait a month and try Ford parts again to see if they have them in yet, then go have a look.

PM
elanjacobs: In case you don't have his contact details, drop the Mirka Aus/Nz business development manager a line about the harder pads.

Peter Sadler
Business Development Manager
Australia and New Zealand
Mirka Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
19 Pelican Point Road,
Sanctuary Lakes,
Victoria, 3030 Australia
Ph + 61 3 9395 8485
Fax + 61 3 9395 8485
Mobile + 61 424 163535
E-mail: [email protected]

Cheers

Thanks for the contact info, I'll see what they say about a pad.

I had some Abranet samples and was impressed with the dust extraction but, again, I just use what we have at work (Würth sanding discs, they last very well and the 15-hole pattern lines up with the Mirka pad holes). BC Coatings sell them if you want, but I personally don't think they're worth the price. Mirka Abranet 150mm Sanding Discs

I got my sander for $605 inc-GST without the case two years ago, so $667 MAY include a case, but probably just a price hike (they can be had on eBay for about US$550 inc shipping here (A$620-ish) WITH a case, so you might be able to negotiate something). Mine is permanently attached to a vac, so didn't bother with the case. If I had to do it again, I'd still pay the premium over Festool; the switch on top and small size make it like an extension of your hand. Not so much of an issue if you're mainly doing flat panels, but a world of difference if you're sanding curves or vertical surfaces. It's also quieter and has less vibration. The Festool is a great machine, but the Mirka (I think) is in a different class.