Thread: Orbital Sanders

There are other machines with this claim to fame. The Makita BO6060 for instance. For more information see http://www.makita.com.au/catalogue/d...?tmodel=BO6040

The Makita is considerably cheaper than those machines you have nominated.

Originally Posted by MikeK

Hi,

I'm in the market for a ROS. I've done the searches and have narrowed my choices down to:
- the Metabo SX E 450 Duo
- the Festool RO 150E Plus Rotex Sander.

The Metabo has 2 orbit sizes (3/6mm). The Festool has a 5mm orbit size. However, the Festool is described as ..."This does the job of three machines: coarse sanding, fine sanding and polishing. Simple shift from coarse to fine motion.". So, what gives? I thought that it was the different obit sizes that gave the different results.

As usual, any comments are greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

The Rotex has a selector that controls the type of motion. It is very effective-an amazing tool, really. I use mine as a belt sander, a finish sander and I do also polish my car with it. Be aware that it is a bit heavy-they also have an RO125E, which has different ergonomics.

Greg

Mike

Interesting - these are the two I have been looking at. I think it comes down to how much money you want to spend and how often you are going to use it. The rotex is the Rolls Royce but you will pay for it - never any discounts on Festool.
If you can afford it and justify it get the Rotex. If not get the Metabo.

Mike, the best Random orb is the 8" Fein. Once you have used one a "little" 6" like the ones just described feel and perform like toys. Its a BIG sander and vibrates a little more than the others so gel gloves are esential, but the vibration dosnt transfer to the work peice. The quality of sanding finish is outstanding. Table tops are a breeze as its something like 60% more surface area than the 6" and you can just use 100# and a light hand sand then polish. Thats how impressive it is

MikeK,

The Festool Rotex, as GregoryQ pointed out, has a lever on the gearbox that changes it from a gentle random orbiter sander (with a very nice magnetic braking system) in one mode, to a very aggressive rotating plus oscillating action in the other mode. They also have a variable speed control.

They are great to use, you can effectively switch from fine sanding to coarse sanding without having to change the paper.

You can also get three different pads for the unit, hard, soft and super soft. The super soft is used for polishing.

Expensive - yes - but great!

Chris

Gents,

Thanks very much for the replies.

Mark - thanks for the alternative. I hadn't seen that.

Mat - you hit the nail on the head - it comes down to price vs quality/features. The other variable you missed was SWIMBO

Lignum - I had a look for the Fein online. Couldn't find it but I have a call into the Australian rep. It sounds like a "beast"! Is getting paper for it difficult? (6 inch paper is easy to get, but I haven't seen a lot of 8 inch paper around).

Chrisp & Gregoryq - thanks for the clarrifying info.

Regards,
Mike.

Hi Mikek i own the metabo sx e 450 duo i use this tool to remove gelcote from glider wings in an industreal situation ie 8 hours a day for days at a time it i have used a festool but an older model for this job allso one word can discribe the metabo. Brillant i wood happily buy another one

Originally Posted by MikeK

Gents,

Thanks very much for the replies.


Lignum - I had a look for the Fein online. Couldn't find it but I have a call into the Australian rep. It sounds like a "beast"! Is getting paper for it difficult? (6 inch paper is easy to get, but I haven't seen a lot of 8 inch paper around).


Regards,
Mike.

Mike Yep a beast. But its not as bad as it sounds
The bodys roughly the same size as the Rotex and about the same price maybe a bit more as festool as good as the stuff is, is over priced. It also comes with a 6" disk so you wont ever have to go with out. The 8" disks are freely available either through Fein or any good supplier of quality abrasives. The best part is the average power (input) of the better random orbs is around 500 wats give or take, this beast is 1200 watts, thats a massive difference. and it has a unique single circular dust hole in the pad wich is by far the best i have ever come across. All their stuff is extreamly high quality especialy the multi detail sander. A friend showed me his once and had the cutting blade attached and cut through some wood with ease and kept it running and rested the blade in his palm and it just left a slight red mark and no cut. Awsome stuff The random orb Is the FSS 12-27 E and look under Polisher http://www.fein.de/corp/au/en/products/products.php

I have the Metabo and have to say it is excellent. Beautifully balanced and a pleasure to use on either orbit. That said I havent used the Rotex but have lusted after one. I settled on the metabo on a cost basis but can't fault it at all.
Cheers
Jock

I have the Rotex, used it on rotary mode with 25 grit to take chain saw marks out of redgum, Random Orbital up to 2500 grit for polishing.
It does it all beautifully, gracefully and is ergonomically as perfect as I can find.
With dust extraction there is no need for a dust mask as it is engineered to work properly and there is no dust present.

Originally Posted by chrisp

MikeK,

The Festool Rotex, as GregoryQ pointed out, has a lever on the gearbox that changes it from a gentle random orbiter sander (with a very nice magnetic braking system) in one mode, to a very aggressive rotating plus oscillating action in the other mode. They also have a variable speed control.

All of which the Makita BO6040 also has. I have a BO6030 which is also a good machine and produces a fine sanded surface and has excellent dust extraction. It doesn't have the versatility of its brother but then I've never needed it.

I tried the Makita but found it ergonomically inferior to the Festool, the dust extractrion port on the side was inclined to be a constant source of annoyance.
I have found Makita to be good in most instances but not in this area.

Originally Posted by MikeK

I'm in the market for a ROS. I've done the searches and have narrowed my choices down to:
- the Metabo SX E 450 Duo
- the Festool RO 150E Plus Rotex Sander.

Mike
I've got the Rotex and my dad has a ES150/3.
In my opinion the ergonomics of the ES150 are much better than those of the Rotex.
At times I wish I had bought both ES150s — the /5 and /3 (the pair cost only a little more than the one Rotex), then I use the Rotex as a polisher and am happy. The Rotex is most comfortable when used at about waist level. If you'll be sanding at a tall bench you may want to look away from the Rotex.


ian

Originally Posted by MikeK

Hi,

I'm in the market for a ROS. I've done the searches and have narrowed my choices down to:
- the Metabo SX E 450 Duo
- the Festool RO 150E Plus Rotex Sander.

The Metabo has 2 orbit sizes (3/6mm). The Festool has a 5mm orbit size. However, the Festool is described as ..."This does the job of three machines: coarse sanding, fine sanding and polishing. Simple shift from coarse to fine motion.". So, what gives? I thought that it was the different obit sizes that gave the different results.

As usual, any comments are greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

Mike i couldnt reply to your PM as its full, so ill do it here.


The sander is the "universal rotary". I know every one has favourites and the metabo and festo are very very good, but the guys recomending them (im assuming) havnt used the Fein (pronounced Fine), if they had they would be praising it. Its like comparing a 6" buzzer to an 8" buzzer - The 6" is good, but you cant compare them. Its realy chaulk and cheese. This is a remarkable product. As an interesting exersise cut out a 8" diameter cardboard disk and place it side by side to a normal 6" disk. The difference is MASSIVE. If aroud 700 isnt a problem (around what you will pay for the Festool) then this is it. And as i said it is unbelevable on table tops. Great stuff