DIYbanter - View Single Post - Request for advice on sanders to prep for paint

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wrote:
I'd like to ask for advice on purchasing a sander that will help us on
some home projects.

We're doing a lot of painting in two houses to just change the look of
a few rooms, take out of railings, patch holes and seams with joint
compound on drywall, etc. We're not pros, but we're going to try to
do a good job. However, our lack of knife skill will require some
sanding work and we're thinking of getting an orbital sander to help.

I guess that we're looking for a sanding solution and believe that
random orbital is the way to go to smooth surfaces, but if we're way
off base then you won't hurt feelings if you set us straight.

Anyway, I've read that dust collection systems vary by model, that
sometimes orbital isn't a good choice, etc.

Ideally, I'd like the "best" for the "least amount of money," but I
know there are a lot of variables ... how one doesn't gauge the wall,
the type of sandpaper, etc.

Is a random orbital the best tool for the job?
Is there a brand that offers a decent job (with some effort to learn,
obviously), with ease of use?

I appreciate any advice given.

Thank you.

I've done a lot of the work you describe. Only sander I have used is a
"Mouse" (B/D? mini-sander) with a pointed pad....got that for getting
into corners on some doors I painted. For drywall, all you have to use
is a damp cloth wrapped around a flat sanding block, assuming spackle or
j.c. is applied decently smooth. Sanding drywall or spackle is horribly
dusty otherwise. For normal painting, I use sandpaper and a purchased
sanding block....if I need more aggressive, I use coarser sandpaper
(rarely). Refills for my little power sander are very expensive. When
I paint walls, I do final dust collection with the floor nozzle and
vacuum cleaner

)