Thread: Best Random Orbit Sander?

My original point is I consider FT's sanders superior in that they provide an integrated solution that is better than their competitors.

For my needs, and those of most others I'd suggest, is a Rotex 150, ETS 3, and a Deltex. This gives you the one of the best roughing/polishing sanders available, one of the smoothest operating finishing sanders, and the largest operating orbit delta on the market for all those nasty little corners.

I wouldn't recommend the RO90 as it isn't big enough for rough rotary work, too physically big and awkward compared to the Deltex, and compromised as a finisher.

My Sxe400s are better to handle also, as is my 25 year old GDA280E delta.

You get a sanding system that covers almost all contingencies with this 3 tool combo. It negates the need for belt, rotary, orbital and linear sanders and polishers, while providing an economical amount of system interchangeability.

Just curious how you think a rotary sander of any brannd is better than a Linear sander. You talking finish or just stock removal.

I'm referring to an angle grinder or drill powered rotary, and a Festool Duplex type linear sander.

I wasn't suggesting that one type is inherently superior, but that my suggested 3 tool combo is a comprehensive, economical and useful substitute for all the other types I mentioned.

Ok sorry i missunderstood what you ment by linear understood..i mean linear sanders as such used in the auto industry action of the sanding action is literally back and forth. Apart from the noise i think they great.

That"s what the Duplex sander does. Festool makes a fairly good one with twin gear driven counterweights to counter vibration. It's just a bit slow to produce results, and due to its linear action tends to clog the papers also.

Years ago I had a so called "dual action" B&D sander with a lever to change between orbital and linear operation. Pretty hopeless really. It was slow, noisy and extremely vibratory, with little apparent difference between the two modes.

Ok we are different pages..a linear sander as i call it is like a stroke sander..it does not rotate at all....The sander literally sands forward and backwards...there is no rotation at all. many many years ago you could buy electric stroke sanders but they weren't very reliable. Pneumatic stroke sanders are common place

That's what the Duplex does: stroke backwards & forwards only. It"s marketed by FT as a more rapid alternative to a hand block. I have a couple of them. They are useful in having easily changed platens: flat concave convex right angled & a kit to custom make your own for complex mouldings.

While useful I'm personally a bit underwhelmed by the tool. As previously mentioned they're slow and due to the linear action tend to clog papers easily in paint!