Which Random Orbital Sander?

[swilkinson]

I'm in the market for an ROS.

Which one would you recommend and why?
Would you buy 5" vs 6"?
Some have 5 dust ports others have 8. Does that make a difference?

Here are a couple I'm considering.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...3?ie=UTF8&s=hi

http://www.amazon.com/s/sr=41-2/qid=...Festool&page=1

Are the Festools worth the extra money?

Anything else?

Thanks!

Scott

[Popeye]

I've had cheap ones and good ones but no cheap good ones.
Festools seem to me to be a bit out of the normal hobby budget.
I have a Ridgid VS. A very good sander IMO. Good dust collection. Doesn't tire out my wrist. Don't see much of a need for the VS. Don't use it.
I liked the Porter Cables but I buy the large packets of H&L disks and I had a bunch of 8 holes already so I passed on the PC. All 5 hole that I saw.
When I was up in PA at Thom's I used his Dewalt. Wish I knew what model it was. It is superior to my Ridgid. All the random motion ends up in the disk not your wrist. A big factor if you have alot of sanding to do.
No opinion on the 5 or 8 hole, mine have been 8 hole more by chance than choice.
This is one tool you can't do without but I sure wish you could test drive them all before you buy. Pat

[LarryG]

A recent comparison in one of the woodworking mags (I think it was Fine Woodworking) picked the Bosch as the overall winner as well as the best value. An apparently identical model sold by Klingspor's scored equally well.

Although they didn't specifically say so, if you read the test result numbers the Makita (which I happen to own) was right at second best, as I recall. I really like mine and find the dust collection works very well with a shop vac attached.

I once read somewhere that the 8-hole models will theoretically have better dust collection, which makes sense, but of course there's more to it than just the number of openings.

No opinion on the Festool other than to say they're way too spendy for my pocketbook.

[swilkinson]

Larry

Does your use of a shop vac negate the need for a downdraft table?

I've heard it may be hard to find a fitting to convert the Makita to the shop vac hose size. Is that true?

Thanks!

Scott

[LarryG]

Does your use of a shop vac negate the need for a downdraft table?

I don't know that I'd go that far. The vac gets a lot of the dust, but not all of it. I think it's mostly the dust that is generated out at the edge of the disc that gets away.

I've heard it may be hard to find a fitting to convert the Makita to the shop vac hose size. Is that true?

Wait a sec, I messed up. THIS is the Makita that I have, and that the magazine tested. Sorry about that. With this one, no extra fitting is required; just remove the little onboard dust bag and a standard 2-1/4" male shop vac hose end plugs right into the adapter that comes with the tool. The only problem is that the flange is really short, so the hose will come adrift easily, so I wrap a length of blue painter's tape around the connection.

[jziegler]

I don't know about the Makita, but I have the Bosch (great sander) and the connection for the dust box (with a nice paper filter, better than a bag) is not round. I still use it with the shop vac. I figure just about any tool can connect to the shop vac with a little bit of duct tape. Not the prettiest solution, but gets me through a sanding session. Usually there is an adaptor available if you want to buy it too.

Jim

[Copper]

I also have the Bosch and think it works fine. I empty out the filter after every use (take it off, and vacuum it out) and it's amazing how much dust it sucks up. It takes 8 hole hook and loop paper.

Whatevery you choose, I think having variable speed is more important than the brand (except for HF, maybe).

[swilkinson]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Keep it comming.

One additional question.

What are your thoughts on palm units vs non-palm units (the ones with a handle attached)?

[sweensdv]

I've been very happy with my Porter Cable 333. It doesn't have a variable speed option but then again I've never run into a situation where I felt I needed that feature. If you feel variable speed settings are necessary, Porter Cable does offer the 333VS.

Hooked up to my Shop Vac, I'd say that 99.9% of all the sawdust created by the PC ROS is captured by the vac.

[uglystick]

I just discovered a nice tool review resource at FineWoodworking.com

I've been happy with my 5" Ridgid R2600 (a "Best Value" in 2004) after owning for ~6mo.

[RayintheUK]

If you're mostly making small projects, a 5" sander is all you need - actually, it might be more than you need. Obviously, the larger the areas to sand, the better off you'll be with a 6" model. The differing number of dust extraction holes in the base might restrict your choice of makes of sanding disks, but is unlikely to worry anyone much. Most 6" ROS have two rings of holes anyway, covering both layouts.

Are Festools worth the extra? - depends who you are. If you're an occasional user, unlikely - unless you're badge-collecting. If you're a professional or frequent/heavy user, then yes, they are. That doesn't mean to say that they're the only top-line ROS. I've got one of these and I'd stand it against anything - and I mean anything - I can use it all day long and with good quality disks it's a pleasure to use.

Ray.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Reading above posts I will reply :

PC does have a VS 333 which is a great sander with an easy to adapt right out of the box dust connection for DC or Shop Vac.

5" can have 5 hole or 8 hole. I have only witnessed 8 hole on 6".

Bosch 1295 VSK or DVSK (case is difference) for $75 or so. I disagree with a couple of folks and firmly believe that VS makes a world of difference.

There is an adapter for the 1295 that converts opening to regular round opening. You can find it at dealers or Amazon for $5. Probably a better option than tape. RS006 part number.

For sheer power, refined sanding (minimal swirl) and incredibly low vibration I don't think it gets any better than the PC Speedbloc. I used to favor the Bosch for fine sanding and PC for rapid stock removal. I am now finding that I keep finer grits on the PC. I do like the Hook and Loop fastner for the Bosch better than the stick on or bracket held PC. The DC on the PC Speedbloc is nile. You need a downdraft table with the Speedbloc.

[SARGE..g-47]

I've used a PC 333 for 5 years. I just bought a Ridgid 2600 6" which is made by Metabo in W. Germany as HD just replaced it with the 2610. The 2610 is made in China. I went to 4 HD's and all had the 2610 which looks the same, until you start comparing it to the 2600.

Visited 4 local HD's and found one underneath stock on a top shelf. It's in my shop and from the sparse use so far, it's great.

I have used a 5" Makita, Bosch, PC and now a Ridgid (Metabo) 6". I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. I would shop to get the best price as all do a respectable job at a reasonable price.

Regards for the evening...

[pdxman1]

I liked the Porter Cables but I buy the large packets of H&L disks and I had a bunch of 8 holes already so I passed on the PC. All 5 hole that I saw.
... Pat

I just bought the Porter Cable 333VSK from Amazon and was suprised to see that it can use both 5 and 8 hole paper. I think the single speed is 5 holes only. I have not tried it with 8 hole paper yet, so I can't comment on how well it works. Also it is currently $64.99 at Amazon, which is a good price.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I just bought the Porter Cable 333VSK from Amazon and was suprised to see that it can use both 5 and 8 hole paper. I think the single speed is 5 holes only. I have not tried it with 8 hole paper yet, so I can't comment on how well it works. Also it is currently $64.99 at Amazon, which is a good price.

Scott (original poster),
This is the answer to your question. Press the buy button now.

Edit :
However if you want to complicate your life check out Tool King . . . .

http://www.toolking.com/category.aspx?categoryID=405