Realistically, how much better is a "good" brand ROS than a lesser brand?
Would it be foolish to buy pic related for ~$40 brand new for the occasional woodworking project? Really how much better is a "good" ROS than a "bad" one?
Random Orbital Sanders
You must work for black and decker trying to corner the users of the high class diy board to shill your products. Away with you!
Are you really upset they deleted your shitty thread?
No i just want to be sure the same rules apply to everyone.
>occasional
You'll spend more time learning to let the machine work than you will worrying about whether you bought the "right" tool.
Doesnt answer the question though...
Idgaf black and decker or any other brand , just in general whats the difference btw a expensive and a cheap orbital sander? Is it worth it?
Do you enjoy being able to feel your hands after 30min of sanding?
I've chipped our mortar with an sds for days at a time, I doubt a ROS is gonna be worse.
TY for answering the question thank you for the advice.
>whats the difference btw a expensive and a cheap orbital sander?
the randomness
lessor orbitals can fall into a circular pattern and leave swirls in the finish
> You'll spend more time learning to let the machine work
Please explain this to us newbs. Thanks.
The natural inclination is to press on it. Don't. Your hand is just there to either keep the sander from wandering, or direct it where it needs to go. Pressing on it compresses the pad, making the even coverage you wanted from a random orbit in the first place harder to achieve, ripping the paper up sooner, and potentially shortening the life of the sander. Same thing generally applies to all sanding, but is way easier to fall into with these.
Well shit, I really do learn something new every day! Thank you very much anon.
>for the occasional woodworking project? Really how much better is a "good" ROS than a "bad" one?
Not enough for you to care, or for it to make a difference.
Just get one that you can connect a vac to.
Focus more on getting quality sandpaper.
If you want something high quality, then look at the ones 3M makes. These are used in industrial settings, where they need to meet higher standards (including occupational safety, for use for many hours a day).
Buy this and own it forever, https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-3-Amp-Corded-5-in-Variable-Speed-Random-Orbital-Sander-DWE6423/311528803
This was also $55 in 2017 when I bought it
yeah honestly this was worth spending the money on, I had an old bnd one and this was a major step up, made me not loath sanding as much
I've got this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-2-5-Amp-5-in-Corded-Single-Speed-Palm-Random-Orbital-Sander-Polisher-ROS10/202242754
Works great too. Even comes with a hose adapter that my 1/2 gallon cordless DeWalt wet/dry vac's hose fits perfectly.
I love bosch stuff
Have some actual testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C4gZA-XxTc
Short answer: yes, it matters in terms of the end quality, dust control, and comfort of use. Plus the price difference between a good one and a shitty one is so small as to be a waste of money buying the crappier ones.
If you're getting really serious? It's worth it to really splurge on a Festool, Mirka, or 3M, since sanding is both time-consuming and one of the most critical steps in completing a piece, and those are in another league with it comes to performance.
I hate the festool. The fricking thing drops sanding disks and the velcro continues sanding. Replacing the velcro pad is $50. I haven't had this issue with any other brand including ToolShop dumpster fire tier.
in the upper price bracket some allow you to change orbit radius (metabo, aeg), while some couple fixed to the motors(feststool, bosch)
those are game changers, more than halving rough sanding time
dont spend too much on shit you'll rarely use. this one will do just fine anon. the only thing is that you're able to hook it up to a vac
I would use a square one, paper is cheaper.
Square sanders are garbage for getting a good finish.
Cutting the paper just right is annoying IMO, plus no dust holes.
The 5” discs aren’t that bad, buy in bulk when there’s a sale. I paid $19.97 or whatever for pic related at Home Depot… a 10-pack of each grit is $15.
OP here
Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I found a good deal on a Craftsman and bought it. Feel like it was a good compromise of decent quality plus not too expensive. Used it to sand boards to fix me mums outdoor table and it turned out pretty good.
I’ve got a Stanley fat max and I sanded my house down with it.
It’s corded, and it surprisingly good at what it does.
My last one was a store branded one of the same size and it lasted 2 years of absolute abuse.