Shop Tips
Workshop Tip: Align sander disks faster
Dowels make it easier to line up disks perfectly and quickly.
Sanding requires frequent changes from grit to grit, and getting disks seated correctly on my random-orbit sander has always been hit-or-miss. So I traced a disk on plywood, installed three dowels, and solved the problem. I put one or more disks on the jig, drop the sander onto the dowels, and the next disk is attached perfectly.
Click here to enlarge the illustration.
—ED DALE, South Burlington, Vt.
Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #282
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Festool Rotex FEQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander
The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.
Craftsman Random Orbit Sander
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.
Hedgehog featherboards
The Hedgehog's unique spiral shape and single knob make it easy to set up and fast to adjust.
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