Replies

1. 
   BilWil | Apr 01, 2008 05:13pm | #1

   Depends, like anything else, how much you want to spend and what you want from the tool.  I like the dual mode Festool, the Fein, and the dual mode Bosch.  I use mostly the Festool with Abralon because it seems to do a better job of dust collection and it has the dual mode.  The Fein is no slouch, good tool, but not dual mode.

1. 
   systembuilder | Apr 01, 2008 05:29pm | #2

   Thx for your input. I have a stable of sanding tools now:

   Bosch variable spped 4X24 belt sander with the sanding frame. Love it for rough leveling table tops. All it's used ofr.

   A couple PC Speedblock sanders. general use.

   Bosch 6 inch variable speed right angle sander. Aggressive.

   The new ROS will be used exclusively for sanding between finish coats and rubbing out finishes. I'm leaning to the Festool 150/3 because it seems the shorter (3 mm) stroke is better for the kind of finishing tasks it will be used for.

2. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 01, 2008 05:30pm | #3

   I have the Fein 6". Don't use it anymore. Two issues:

   It's heavy and cumbersome to lug around.

   The dust collection connector is crap and keeps coming apart unless you bind it with duct tape, and the hose that connects to it is also heavy and will bust an edge off a board just by the dragging / moving process of sanding.

   Personally, I'd not recommend it. This is one case where, although I do not have one yet, I'll side with the Festool Rotex and collector combo. Looks to be a much better alternative.

3. 
   Talma | Apr 01, 2008 08:02pm | #4

   My favorite is made by Lie Nielsen. Cheap works awesome, no dust, perfect finish, Faster than any ROS you've looked at so far. Can be adjusted to do moldings and any other profile you can think of. And the sand paper you have is enough! You'll never need to buy more.

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=hss

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 02, 2008 09:42pm | #5

   View Image

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Apr 03, 2008 03:19pm | #9

   Please, Bob! Don't get us started on those things.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

2. 
   systembuilder | Apr 03, 2008 02:16am | #6

   Very entertaining. Tell me, how do you rub out a finish with a cabinet scraper?

   FWIW, I bought the Festool ETS 150/3. Six inch, with a 3mm stroke.

1. 
   Talma | Apr 03, 2008 02:35pm | #8

   I've watched many finishers do a french polish, to what most refer to as a piano finish, with a pad.

   I prefer shellac for finishing, I go straight from a planed/scraped surface, to a finished surface without sanding etc.

   I've never seen or done it, but I've been told that if you have a lump or run with shellac you use a scraper to level it.

   Although I've yet to achive that piano finish, my finish is pretty good.

   I don't like sand paper because of all the extra work, dust, noise (from power sanders), and I hate how I always roll corners with it.

4. 
   JeffHeath | Apr 03, 2008 02:22am | #7

   You'll love the Festool sander.  I bought it over a year ago.  I don't sand much, as I prefer to plane, but use it to sand cabinet parts for finishing, and it's fantastic.  Twice as fast as my old Porter Cable, and dust free, hooked up to the CT-33.

   Jeff

5. 
   michaely | Apr 04, 2008 06:52am | #10

   I have the Rigid 6" R2611 ROS: two orbital patterns (fine/not fine?), variable speed, good built-in connection to any size vacuum hose for dust collection; ugly Home Depot orange color (smiley); btw, it uses 6-hole pattern hook & loop sanding disks

   michael