A powerful 6-in. machine with two modes: a 1/8-in. orbit for fine finishing and a 1/4-in. orbit for aggressive but controlled materials removal. Changing modes was awkward, requiring the user to rotate the pad by hand. The dust bag worked well when connected to a vacuum, the sander ran best with reduced suction. The front handle of the sander was instantly removeable for getting into restricted areas. Less-than-average vibration. A bit heavy for extended vertical use.
This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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Sep 01, 2004
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