Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Apr 29, 2005 03:02am | #1

   Do you know about orbitals, and random orbitals?

   And what do you want to do with it -- mainly?

   "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
   -- Bertrand Russell

   
   

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   Edited 4/28/2005 8:03 pm ET by nikkiwood

1. 
   willy | Apr 29, 2005 05:19pm | #4

   I'm a casual cabinet maker in my home workshop - - currently working on an armoire.  So most of my work is with hardwood and home furniture projects.

2. 
   rocotoed | Apr 29, 2005 04:01am | #2

   I've used a Bosch random-orbit sander for about a year now, professionally, and like the smoothness of finish, as well as its ability to remove stock almost as well as a belt sander, but without the gouging belt-sanding MIGHT induce.

   I've had much success with Ryobi-branded tools, so I'd not rule out their offerings. And avoid 'universal' sanding discs that, by offering 'universal' hole-spacings (5 & 8-hole) manage to leave out significant amounts of sanding area.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 29, 2005 08:49pm | #6

   I've had much success with Ryobi-branded tools..

   Me too! But I get all kinds of flack if I say Ryobi in here??

   Not to expensive and work! But no production shop here.. Tools just used EVERY day!

   I am sure there are better tools but I can do what I want with them and I do pretty good work if I don't say so myself!

1. 
   rocotoed | May 01, 2005 12:48am | #8

   My best 'gotcha' for Ryobi-bashers was a co-worker's use of a Makita 14" miter box. I bought a 14" Ryobi. But because his Makita 14" had a cast-iron base and aluminium turntable, a few hours in the sun siezed up the turntable, while my all-aluminium Ryobi continued to work perfectly.Since then, I've bought a lot of Ryobi products, and all have worked cost-effectively. Being the cheapest means that it doesn't have to last as long to deliver equal performance. Is that DeWalt (Milwaukee, Porter-Cable, etc.) worth the extra in actual hours worked?It's a tool, not a wife. Rocotoed

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 01, 2005 05:45pm | #9

   It's a tool, not a wife.  LOL

   My wife said that alot..  She was the BEST!

3. 
   vertis | Apr 29, 2005 06:52am | #3

   For under $60.00 go for the Dewalt square pad style palm sander,a good worker.It come with a dust bag I think the vac. attachment is an option but it works mediocre on average.LOL.Pete.

4. 
   user-343246 | Apr 29, 2005 05:28pm | #5

   The 6" metabo (which is IDENTICAL to the Ridgid from HD for $150) is awesome.  It has a vacuum port which is perfect for a hose from a Fein shop vac.  The Fein shop vac (turbo II) is the important part.  It picks up almost all of the dust and has a really cool switch which turns on and off automaticaly when you turn on the sander.  I've sanded for hours in my basement without very much dust at all.  I even sanded a floor with it.

   Lots of people like the festool, but I think it's way too expensive for what you're getting.  Most sanders will do a good job if you can figure out how to hook them up to the vac (so you don't keep sanding your dust).  I think the new dewalts have a good hookup, but I haven't seen them in action.

   -matt

5. 
   wchips | Apr 29, 2005 09:05pm | #7

         I have used Makita random orbitual sanders, they are prettey good,I also have Dewalt palm sanders. I just bought a extra random orbital sander last week this time a Dewalt with a vac.

        They get used 5 sometimes 6 days a week. I think i will like the Dewalt random orbital sander better than the Mekita, It runs a lot smoother  although the Makita it replaced was about wore out.

                       Have a nice day Lee