Can you use a no-hole pad with a 5 hole ROS? Or do you have to cut the holes our yourself? Also, I have a Ryobi variable speed ROS, and it's OK. Any particular model you'd recomend? Is a 6" better to move up to than a 5" model?
-
-
I bought a finish sander first and used it a lot. After buying a ROS I don't think I have used the finish sander.Comment
-
They work but you do loose the dust collection. I have several ROS, my favorite is a Bosch.Originally posted by BigguyZJohn HunterComment
-
The current issue of FWW (No. 185) has a ROS bakeoff. The Bosch 1295DVS got Best Value and Best Overall.
I have a Porter Cable 5" ROS. It's a very effective tool, too effective sometimes. I have to be careful to start it while the sandpaper is in contact with the wood or will go in there and tear out some wood!
I actually prefer the ROS during the first few stages of sanding/finishing, and a finishing sander for the latter stages, when I really don't want to take any material off. Unfortunately, my finishing sander gave up the ghost when prepping my outdoor furniture this spring. I'll probably search for another $5 garage sale unit to replace it!
JRJRComment
-
I find this discussion confusing. A 1/4 sheet sander sold new will be a random orbit sander. I have not seen anything else for a decade. The speed of stock removal is a function of the diameter of the orbit (bigger orbits remove material quicker) and the speed of orbit (faster removes quicker) and the design of the sander. The orbits are generally a bit bigger with a round pad sander than with a square pad sander but if you are buying it for speed, you should check. I think the hook and loop paper is an advantage for the round pad design but speed of stock removal doesn't seem that different to me. I have a big DeWalt right angle grinder type ROS with a 6 inch round pad that I bought when my wife ran over the belt sander (I left it on the floor of the garage/workshop) because I read the speed of removal would be similar. Not true. I also have two square pad sanders. An old Rockwell speedblock (now sold by Porter Cable) that is semi-retired due to lack of dust collection and a new Rigid that has a bag. I do not see much speed of sanding difference between the big DeWalt and the two square pad sanders. Most of you guys are using smaller round pad sanders which from everything I've read sand slower than my DeWalt.
If you want speed, get a 3x21 belt sander. They are more difficult to control but that is what I start with on a panel. I really like my rebuilt Ryobi from Cummins for about $60. FWW rated it a best buy.
JimComment
-
Jim, I don't think so (but will allow for the possibility of being wrong). To the best of my knowledge, quarter-sheet finish sanders are orbital sanders, but they're not random orbital sanders. The pad moves in a circle but it's always the same circle, which causes finish sanders to produce more swirl marks than a true ROS.Originally posted by JimDLarryComment
-
On a ROS, the pad not only orbits, but also spins - which is why they all have to be round. With a 1/4 sheet sander, if you hold it in place, you'll have same point on a sandpaper pass repeatedly over same spot. With a ROS, as each orbit completes, it will be some other point of same distance from pad center. This helps to better distribute the scratches, and makes for faster sanding.
My Dewalt 1/4 sheet came with a punch plate that will make holes in the paper after it is on the pad. The ROS paper I buy all comes with holes - but I suppose if I wanted to use hole-less discs, I could make a punch plate by taking a piece of plywood, using a disc with holes as template, driling holes, and driving short thick screws throuugh them so their points protrude from other side.Comment
Comment