DIYbanter - View Single Post - Random orbital sander

(Todd) wrote in
om:

Cheap sanders won't last as long and are REALLY
noisy, plus a better sander will vibrate less in your hands giving
more control. If you do any amount of sanding at all it's worth
it
to go more expensive and find a sander that's quiet. The one I
have
at the moment that I LOVE is my Bosch.

I'll echo this. We have several sanders on hand, including some cheap
ones received as gifts or bought for one-off projects, etc. Over the
years I've melted down several B&D or equivalent 1/2 sheet sanders,
all of which are made entirely of cheap plastic and quite literally
melt with use. Unless someone's given it to you, I'd avoid B&D,
Skill, etc. as next to useless (though they will sand a few items in
a pinch before failing).

Much higher on my list are consumer models from reputable tool
makers. Right now we have a Makita palm sander and a Bosch 5" RO
sander we've been using a lot on a remodel project and in some
furniture building. Both work well, are comfortable to use for longer
periods, and seem sturdy enough to last a while. I expect the same
goes for the Dewalt, PC, etc. brands at similar price points ($50 for
the palms, $100 for the RO, give or take).

If you're able to bog down the "Tim the Toolman" sander that easily,
I'd give it away before it melts and go buy something a step or two
better...it'll save you trouble in the near future.

-Derek