Thread: Random Orbital Sanders - comparisons

Hey Rusty you got a bargin at $265, their more like $385!

Actually, I think it was $365, come to think of it...sorry to anyone who rushed off to buy one . Still a good unit, but!

Happy New Year and stuff; I think I'll go to bed. Too bloody hot- the weather "forecast" on my homepage keeps changing to match the current conditions.

Catch y'all next year,
Rus.

Originally Posted by Solaris

i've got the Bosch GEX 150 and it's a solid unit. No probs sanding smallish burls etc.

the only beef i have with it is the non standard dust extraction port that it has. It's got its own dust filter (a rectangular shape) which is next to useless and i cant fit a vaccuum hose onto it because of hte shape.

So now i usually sand in the my backyard so not much a problem.

I have the Bosch and for about $10 at Total Tools I bought an adaptor that converts the useless rectagular shape into a 27mm diameter circular shape. The 27mm size suits the connector on at least some (maybe all) of the Festool dust extractors and the connectors on the Makita 446L and 447L dust extractors.

Regards,
Mirboo.

Originally Posted by Smed

Thanks for the input on the ROS to all those that have replied. I suppose I should ask about the Makita 6030 ... any happy buyers out there?

Smed

I've had one for about three years. It's an excellent machine. Low (almost non-existent) vibration and excellent dust collection, especially with a dust collector. I exclusively use disks with the outside collection holes which greatly increases the dust collection capacity.

Gidday

For me I was going to go the Metabo Duo.............but since I recently got a decent air compressor I'm going to get a quality pneumatic ROS.

Dispite what some think there a pleanty of quality airtools that can run on a good compressor!! their lighter run cooler and last longer!!!

Just make sure you look out for a cfm rating that suits the 'balls' of your compressor!!!

REgards Lou

Lou your gunna get a shock when you see the cfm rating needed for a dual action sander... its like 20cfm continous!

Been down that route Luke, ex car & bike nut 3 phase compressor and all the related gear, downsizing my metal biased workshop to the more wood craft, I came to believe a lot of pneumatic gear is overkill and not adaptable, nor transportable enough for my now interests (lite home reno sorta stuff). Having said that i would not be without a compressor for quids, currently only have/need a little 10cfm 50 litre baby, my most oft used air tool.......a blower, I have several laying around handy. Although you are right about longevity,this is true of whatever drive source is used, Quality is quality is quality, remember they do lose efficiency very quickly if too much moisture and too little soluble oil are present in the right areas of the system. Also you need to watch out for where some of that oil ends up at, esp things like rear exhaust sanders, grinders etc. Not saying it isn't a worthy route for dedicated shed tools, horses for courses I guess.
My oldest elecrtric tool 20+ year old hitachi 240v drill, never given much more than a brush off occassionally
Air tool- an atlas copco high speed die grinder 15+ years, always oiled before and after use,
Do love a good rattle gun though "wonder what the torque down settings were on these again?, oh well give it a few more"

Ouch!!

Hope not HArry check this dual action sander out:

http://www.tools-plus.com/ast300sp.html

<!--StartFragment -->claimed 5 cfm average drain throughout use!

I'll keep yas posted on how I get on its still early days into my research but from what I can work out if you keep in mind the rated cfm drain on the tools used then you should be able to run most kits on a 3HP 100litre single phase setup.

REgards Lou

My air sander claimed 4 cfm average! My 12 cfm(7.8 FAD) can't keep up, nor can a mates 15 cfm(11.5 FAD) compressor. It is OK if you only want to sand for 20 sec out of every minute. But use it for 5 or 10 min continuously and the eletric motor gets to hot to touch.

Regards
Glen.

Gidday

Having learn't a long time ago that you guys know what your talking about I've dug a little deeper and come across this which clarify's all:

If you plan on using an air tool on a continuos basis, it is a good idea to multiply the “Average CFM” x 4 to get a continuous CFM rating for the tool.

"Thx for the direction guys saved me a quid" Looks like I'll be sticking with my little Dewalt ROS & a Metabo Duo down the track................Whew!!

REgards Lou

I bought a cheapie $89 GMC ROC with 125 and 150 hook and loop backing plates, half a dozen assorted 8 hole discs to suit and a couple of vac hose adaptors all in a moulded black plastic case. I've given it a real flogging. I've never used one before so I can't compare it to any other brand but it does an excellent job from ripping a rough sawn finish to mirror smooth. Hardwood and softwood. I start with 40g and go to 60, 120 then 180g. It's not that noisy and the vibration is negligable. The only problem is that I have to blow dust off the hook and loop pad every so often because the disc starts to slip. But that's no big deal.

Hi Smed,

I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago, and after extensive trawling of this forum came to the conclusion that the Festool was the duck's nuts if you could afford it, and if not, then the Metabo Duo was the way to go.

I bought the Metabo and am extremely happy with it. Like everyone else says, pretty much dust free sanding when used with a shop vac. Being able to switch between a 3mm and 6mm orbit has been useful too - start with coarse grit and 6mm for rough stock removal and then work through fine grit and 3mm for finish sanding. Not quite as nicely balanced as the Festool in operation, but for half the price it performs very well.