Thread: Which RoS (Random Orbital Sander)?

Another option is the Mirka range, which I've tested and liked the job it did, the only thing I personally didn't like was the paddle switch, otherwise they're a great sander.

I now use Festool though, which finishes just as good as far as I can tell.

Mirka CEROS. Its cheaper, smaller and lighter.

Also, unless you plan on using it exclusively as a fine finish sander, get the 5mm orbit instead of the 3mm

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Mirka CEROS. Its cheaper, smaller and lighter.

Also, unless you plan on using it exclusively as a fine finish sander, get the 5mm orbit instead of the 3mm

My current thinking is go with the 3mm and keep the Bosch for the rougher stuff. Thoughts?
Also, I was of the understanding that you can do everything with the 3 that you can do with the 5, it just takes longer.

A 3 sander is usually sold as a finish sander, while a 5 is more of an all-rounder. If you're running 2 sanders, then it doesn't really matter; if it was one or the other I'd definitely recommend a 5.

You could do everything with either, but I'd much rather just go to a higher grit on a 5 to finish than spend so much more time trying to do coarse work with a 3.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

A 3 sander is usually sold as a finish sander, while a 5 is more of an all-rounder. If you're running 2 sanders, then it doesn't really matter; if it was one or the other I'd definitely recommend a 5.

You could do everything with either, but I'd much rather just go to a higher grit on a 5 to finish than spend so much more time trying to do coarse work with a 3.

At what grit would you consider fine sanding starts?

I would call finishing 240 and higher

+1 Mirka Ceros coupled with SIAnet abrasives. I just recently lashed out and bought the expensive stuff from The Sandpaperman. It turns out that the expensive stuff is cheaper than the cheap crap I have been using. This SIAnet stuff lasts for ages and has far fewer wild grains so it gives a really nice and even result. I only use #180 grit for leveling the surface from a jointer/thicknesser and then #240grit just because it feels nicer. For flat tops like a coffee table or benchtop, I hand sand with the grain with 240grit after the random orbital. I hand sand regardless of the sanders orbit stroke because hand sanding only takes a few minutes and a little bit of sweat equity in the piece goes a long way to finding lumps and bumps that you may have missed, or worse put in while sanding with the sander!

Yeah, SIA make really good abrasives. Bloody expensive, but they last.
Revcut Blue are good as well

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I would call finishing 240 and higher

I rarely start lower then 120 and probably spend 70% of my time here. Sounds like the 5mm is the way to go

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Mirka CEROS. Its cheaper, smaller and lighter.

How do you find the vibrations on the Mirka?

I've been looking for a replacement to my ROS and am in need of one that has very little vibration, have heard the festool to be class leading in this area (from a Festool rep so obviously bias)

I'm very happy with the vibration level; it's gotten a bit worse lately as the bearing has worn, but after well over 5 years (might be closer to 7) it's to be expected.

I can still use it all day in 3 hour blocks

Has Mirka discontinued the Ceros line or does their website just suck? Always thought the separate power pack was a great idea and planned on buying one eventually, will be a shame if they’re going away.

Still there https://www.mirka.com/sg/Mirka-CEROS...-50-MIM6502011

Price seems to have skyrocketed since I got mine, about $800 now, I only paid $600

Cheers mate, should have googled. Wonder why it doesn’t show up in the menus?

Did you get the power pack included or is that a separate purchase?