Recommendations for a random orbit (orbital?) sander

Thunder Pulse · #1 09-11-2011, 03:19 PM

I need to get one to do some furniture work. Looking for recommendations of what to look at and what to stay away from. I like quality tools, but it won't be getting heavy use so I'd like to get something that's a good bang for the buck. I want a corded unit, not battery powered.

Do the replacement sanding disks fit most units universally? I don't want to get a unit that seems like a good deal only to find out that I need to get specific replacement disks that cost twice as much as others.

Thunderitter · #2 09-11-2011, 05:31 PM

I asked the same question of guy who owns a tool repair shop and he said Ridgid - well made, 2 year warranty, and good value for money.

I bought a 5" model for around $69 if I recall correctly and very happy with it. Any 5" hook and loop sanding disk fit it. I've got a Ridgid 18V compact drill, a trim router and 1/4" sander and I'm happy with them all too!

Fat.Mike · #3 09-12-2011, 09:18 AM

I'm a carpenter and have tons of Makita and Ridgid stuff. I still prefer Makita, but you can't go wrong with Ridgid for the $. Most of their motors now have a lifetime warranty, and their stuff is very durable and dependable. I have their Router, Jigsaw, mini-sawzall, air stapler, and nailer. (love their nail guns)

TRitter is correct, most 5" discs are universal. Though pads get expensive.

Thunder Pulse · #4 09-12-2011, 11:06 AM

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at what's available. I did a quick Google search yesterday and found a site that reviews sanders, but I'm suspicious of it because all the reviews I skimmed through were good.

Random Orbital Sanders - The Best Orbital Sander Resource

Among the Makitas on the site is one that uses sheets instead of the round disks I normally picture when I think of a ROS. I'm guessing it would be more economical in the long run, but I don't know if it's a true ROS.

Makita BO4556K Orbital Sander Review

avvie · #5 09-12-2011, 11:38 AM

When did Ridgid stop being a POS?

That company built a great reputation for decades of top-notch plumbing equipment.... suddenly they're woodworkers??

I bought their table saw, as did a couple of my colleagues... stopped working in about 3 months. I took the motor apart and the drive was designed to sling lubrication away from the mating threads (screw-drive), heat up and melt. I told the factory tech about it, and alerted the tech forum, but they digitally silenced me (removed alerts). Also, at their product demonstration the drills started smoking. Cheap Chinese crap, and the "lifetime warranty" got canceled after the first few months.

Porter-Cables are totally worth the extra money. Dewalts aren't bad either. Recommended by someone who's done enough work to burn through about 12 of them since 1995.

The Owl · #6 09-12-2011, 11:59 AM

A long time ago I used to do some furniture refinishing on the side, and one thing that helped for me was a Sears-Craftsman random orbital, reliable as could be.

avvie · #7 09-12-2011, 08:44 PM

Yep. the Sears Craftsman is made by Black And Decker... as is the Dewalt brand. They're the brand's higher grades.

SBsoundguy · #8 09-12-2011, 09:19 PM

I'd go with Makita. At least they have some tools being made in the USA. Every other company are making all of their power tools in China.

EDIT:Hitachi make great tools also.

jonathan_matos5 · #9 09-12-2011, 10:04 PM

milwaukee makes a decent one too. and last i checked they were made in USA if that is your thing.

Fat.Mike · #10 09-12-2011, 11:22 PM

I have the Makita "mouse" sander you listed, and it has served me flawlessly for 2 years. The advantage there is definately the savings on sandpaper. Most of their stuff is made in Japan to extremely high tolerances and quality. Every Makita tool I have owned will take a beating and still keep working flawlessly. (impact driver off an 8' ladder, numorous drops of the "mouse" off the workbench, a sawzall that won't quit)

I have the Milwaukee ROS and the thing spins like a grinder. You MUST start it on the workpiece, otherwise the revs get so high it will damage your wood. Most others (2 Bosch's and an air powered Snap On from my auto body days) I have had were not like that. But once you learn the "trick" it is a great tool, but that will slow you down in a production environment.

As to calling Ridgid tools P'sOS... I disagree entirely. You may have had quality problems, and I respect your opinion because I would probably feel the same way; but every tool I have bought (post '09) of theirs has done it's job and done it well repeatedly. Bang for the buck... they are to tools the modern Squire CV series. Yes, I'm going there, and do you're research; a majority of their tools are "hencho en Mexico," not "cheap Chinese crap."

I would certainly rather give money to Mexico than china.

Edit: Check out Fine Woodworking mags website. They seem fairly unbiased when reviewing "box store" tools and it really is a great magazine. (MOST of their advertisers don't sell product at Depot or (B)lowes.) IIRC they did a ROS comparo sometime last year. I'll dig through the mag. pile sometime tomorrow for you if I can and try to find the issue.

bassteban · #11 09-12-2011, 11:33 PM

It's been said, but yeah- Makita is nice, as is Dewalt, B&D & Craftsman. If you wanna toss $1200 for a SMOKIN vacuum & sander combo, I LOVE the Fein rig I use at my part-time cabinet job.

SBsoundguy · #12 09-13-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

milwaukee makes a decent one too. and last i checked they were made in USA if that is your thing.

On other forums people are saying that the newer Milwaukee tools have made in china on them.

iamlowsound · #13 09-13-2011, 06:27 AM

You can never go wrong with makita for tools. If you live in Canada, mastercraft makes a decent ROS and they have a lifetime warrantee.

lowsound

avvie · #14 09-13-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat.Mike

As to calling Ridgid tools P'sOS... I disagree entirely. You may have had quality problems, and I respect your opinion because I would probably feel the same way; but every tool I have bought (post '09) of theirs has done it's job and done it well repeatedly.

I'd guess that they may have made some needed changes. My experience was during their first year of release and Home Despot was announcing them as their flagship brand... '03?..'04?.. At that time they were indeed awful. They had introduced them with a lifetime warranty but soon dropped it... they would have bankrupted quick otherwise. Don't know what they're like after '09, but I'm not planning on finding out.

fhm555 · #15 09-13-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avvie

...When did Ridgid stop being a POS?...

+1

Bought a Ridgid shop vac and while it's not the most worthless POS tool I've ever owned, it's real close.

I've got some Ridgid pipe threading stuff that's as good as it gets, I just wish the Ridgid shop vac didn't suck so bad...or maybe I should wish it just sucked better??

Thunder Pulse · #16 09-18-2011, 06:37 AM

OK, I've done a little looking around in person this week and have a question: Should I get the typical ROS with the round base, or would I be fine with a 1/4 sheet sander as pictured in the second link in post #4 above? The specs are pretty much identical for both types. Is the only difference the fact an ROS makes 'random' orbits and the 1/4 sheet sander just goes back and forth?

I've seen the 1/4 sheet sander grouped in the the ROS sanders in some discussions, but I've also seen them called 'finishing sanders' and as something to be used after you're done using the ROS. That confuses me as the same variety of sandpaper grits are available for both.

Speaking of which, I noticed that the hook&loop/velcro replacement sandpaper disks are about 10x more expensive than using simple sheet sandpaper, so I would just assume use a 1/4 sheet sander over a 'typical' ROS if it'll get the job done for me.