Help Chosing Electric Sander

[Trevor101]

I hope I chose the right forum for this question....
I want to purchase an electric sander of some description but would like to know what type is best (Belt / Orbital / Other...)?
It's main use is for sanding medium size -large panels & tops for cabinets / furniture etc.
I need something something that would give fine / smooth results without marking the wood in any way.
Any suggestions????

Thanks
Trev

[RETIRED]

Gooday Trevor.

Yes, it is the right forum.

We have belt, orbital, in line and random orbital sanders.

You did not say how much you had to take off or the sort of finish (eg thickesser, jointer or sanded) you are trying to finish.

We use the belt sander for heavy work, orbital and then random orbital.

If you have a reasonable finis and can afford only one sander go for the random orbital. tis most things to most people. Handles the rough stuff with course paper down to fine work with finer grits and no noticable swirls.


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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[Rod Smith]

Hi Trevor. If I had only one sander it would have to be a belt sander, especially for sanding panels. Cross sand first then with the grain. Depending on how uneven the surface is I start at either 60, 80 or 100 even 100 grit gives a reasonable finish. Sometimes thats good enough, usually I finish with a random orbit. My orbital just sits there, with a coat of dust these days. Perhaps if someone asks for a lend of a sander? Nah, I hate lending tools (and borrowing). See ya, Rod.
PS Can't go wrong with the heavy duty Makita

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[Shane Watson]

Yep Gotta Agree with !

Except I have one different sander. I use a Stroke Belt Sander first on everything. Ok ok, this is an industrial machine that very few home handy people will have the access too, but, hey I'm just saying what I use http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

Actually, I own four sanders - The Stroke Sander, Pnumatic random orbital, 1/2 sheet orbital, and that trusty makita belt sander ( which hasn't been used since the belts that came with the machine were finished http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif ) And the 1/2 sheet hasn't been used for about four years. So I only use the random other than the Stroke ( not that stroke stoppers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif )....

Every tradesman/handyman will have his own likes and dislikes and techniques, especially when it comes to sanders. It really depends on the type of sanding you will be doing. Once I have sanded my timber on the stroke sander I only need a quick squirt over that will smooth up the surface and leave a good surface to polish. So thats why I opt to use the Random orbital, and as I use air exclusivly in my shop, it happens to be pnematic as are most of my tools ( again personal preference )

Don't know what a Stroke Sander is??
Well basically it is just a big belt sander. Mainly designed to sand large panels/table tops etc. You place the panel onto a "bed" that slides in and out under the belt and you apply pressure to the belt with a pad and that in turn sands the panel. theres more to it than that, but that gives you a general idea. I use it to sand pieces of timber from as small as about 5mm x 5mm to as big 5m x 5m. It's definitly an industrail machine and I wouldn't go suggesting you buy one, unless your neighbours are deaf http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif But I am sure you are interested!! To bad if ya ain't, you've read it now http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers
Shane..... http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

[ubeaut]

Hi Trev

My big Hitachi belt sander has been a fantastic machine. I have had it for a little over 17 years and it is still going strong. I made a stand for it so it could also be used inverted. It has sanded almost every conceivable type of timber over the years and has been used inverted for sharpening literally thousands of carving tools.

A very noisy machine, but virtually indestructible and 1000. It has seen the demise of a number of other sanders in our school of woodcrafts including a couple of Makitas, 2 Bosch, 4 Ryobi, and a couple of B&D

I could not recommend this one highly enough. I do however have the hots for the new Fein and Festo random orbitals. Will definitely get one when I am flush enough (around $360-$400). For a quick fix the Triton random orbital that fits on to an angle grinder seems to be a pretty good thing so is the one distributed by Kato Trading
http://www.ubeaut.com.au/kato.htm . Both of these are a cheap, quick fix that
work well.

I might also add and I feel sure that almost any one who uses a belt sander will agree. A belt sander is not the easiest of tools to use especially a big one. It takes a lot of practise and a few tears before you can sand a fine finish onto a table top without leaving any tram tracks in the wood.

My choice if I was on a budget and had to buy one sander would be a top of the range random orbital. Definitely have a look at the Fein & Festo range, they are awesome and will do everything from rough shaping down to the finest finish possible.

Hope this helps a little.
Cheers
Neil http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

PS I always hand sand to finish off no matter what sander I am using. The better random orbitals virtually eliminate the need for this completely.


[Note: This message has been edited by ubeaut]

[S Hayward]

hi all
Plenty of good advice here. One point though, I must agree with Neil when he says it's very hard to sand a table top flat with a belt sander. I'd say almost impossible for most people. A stroke sander is a fantastic tool in the right hands but it too can cause stuff ups of monumental proportions ( been there done that! ) One more machine, definately not for the handyman, is a wide belt thickness sander. This is the machine for tops and panels. If you ever have a big top to do it may be worth looking to contract out that part of the sanding. The results will be better than anything you can achieve with power tools. Then you finish off when you get the job home. Also agree with Neil that it is best to finish with a hand sand. As for which sander to buy first, probably the random orbit is a good starting point. Or maybe a Norris plane, but that's another argument!
Happy sanding.
Shaun.

[Grand Poobah]

A Norris Plane! DROOOOOLLL

Gi'me, gi'me, gi'me, Yum!!!

The exhalted and wet chinned,
Grand Poobah

[DonN]

Buy the Fein these machines are the Rolls Royce of power tools.
DonN

[This message has been edited by DonN (edited 04 November 1999).]

[S Hayward]

Poobah
Don't dribble too much, you will rust the Norris!!
Shaun