Thread: Random Orbital or other small sander

I have a makita 1/3 orbital-very good good finish use it a lot on larger things about $130

Also have a bosch detail sander, not bad on small odd shaped things, about the same price but the sheets are a killer at about $1 each

Have a 125mm ryobi ROS on loan, interesting so far but have not really given it a workout.

With this type of sander y ou are not going to get a rough piece flat, all the sanding pads have a flexible backing pad and this lets it skate over hard high spots. Some people seem to recomend a belt sander for this, but I do not have experience with that. Alternatively Monaro timbers will sand it flat for you for a fee using their drum sander.

Hi Ankali

PAH1 has suggested some appropriate sanders (ones which I also own) but I would like to reiterate a point he made - small sanders will NOT flatten timber. They may smooth it, but not flatten it. Also, there is the danger, when sanding small areas, that the sander will round over edges (ones that you may wish to keep crisp).

Perhaps a sander is not the tool you seek. What about a card scraper? This would both smooth and flatten small sections of timber. Plus the benefit is cheapness and clean air!

Regards from Perth

Derek

I bought a random orbital sander about 8 years back and after a few uses a decided that a cork block and the right grain sandpaper was the best way to go, much more efficient - elbow power. I don't own, but am tempted to buy, some type of belt sander. Either way the rounding on the edge of the wood, is a HUGH problem. A thicknesser if you can afford it and the wood if big enough is the way to go IMHO

Originally Posted by Ivor

I bought a random orbital sander about 8 years back and after a few uses a decided that a cork block and the right grain sandpaper was the best way to go, much more efficient - elbow power. IMHO

In the words of J P McEnroe, "you can't be serious!"

Originally Posted by PAH1

............Also have a bosch detail sander, not bad on small odd shaped things, about the same price but the sheets are a killer at about $1 each..................

PAH1,
you can buy velcro backed discs for a 7" sander polisher for a few dollars and cut about a dozen of the little detail pads out of it.

Mick

Swimbo went shooping a while ago and came home with a sheet of 150 grit sandpaper 1metre x 2 metre's velcro backed, it cost her $4. We have cut a lot of discs from this, it is nearly time for her next shop.

It came from some bargain centre somewhere!!!

Tim