Best battery operated sander & drill?

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WasdaleWanderer

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Hello,

Having had excellent feed back ref. best options for a multimeter, which we took and are very happy with, we are now looking for the next set of tools for the winter jobs ahead.

Does anyone have experience and preferences for the best battery operated sander (and drill) for use on, in and around our boat. Thinking it would be best to get battery operated to allow for more flexibility.

Thanks in advance.

WW
 
What are you expecting to do? In my experience drills with sanding discs have very limited application and certainly not sanding to produce an acceptable surface for painting or varnishing.
One thing I can say is buy something 18v or above and with the largest capacity battery you can afford to spend 5Ahr would be good anything less and you will like as not be waiting for it to charge so 2 batteries would be useful.
 
Drill and Sander separate.
Dedicated sander for the hull (prep for antifouling), weatherboards (they need the varnish taking off and retreating), not sure but we need to prepare and replace the slip resistant coating on the deck at some point, so may need it for that.
Drill - the usual, self explanatory.

New to all this and starting from scratch really. But I need a sander for some teak that has been varnished and want to take it off for starters.
Any help?
 
fredrussell said:
Makita if you’re feeling flush, Erbauer if you’re not. Both cheapest at Screwfix.
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Makita battery drill, screwfix or B&Q sometimes...but I suggest you use a corded sander...even a cheapy will probably do the job better than an expensive battery model, even if you have several batteries there is only so much life in a battery
 
OK I would suggest a good 5Ahr drill and a small cordless orbital sander 125mm discs use the Abranet abrasives. Whatever you buy buy the same manufacturer so that you economise on batteries and charger. after the basic sanding then you should be thinking of hand sanding between coats with fine abrasives As for hull preparation using a sander of any type is now frowned on and prohibited in most places because of the toxic nature of the dust produced. If it is just to key the scraped hull prior to application of of the priming coat for later antifouling then you would be better with a long board and wet and dry paper but if you insist on power tools then a corded sander polisher would be a good choice as it will let you polish the topsides as well.
As for which marque my choice would be Makita but it depends on how deep your pockets are and how long your arms are.

If you buy any sort of orbital sander buy some Mirka pad savers to go with it as with constant use the velcro that attaches to the sanding discs becomes worn and won't hold the sanding disc. Pad savers are far cheaper than replacing the sanders own backing disc.
 
Graham376 said:
I've had Makita in the past but replacement batteries cost more than the original tool. Now have a few Ryobi One+, mid priced and possibly the largest selection of tools all using the same batteries - also available cheaper after market. Some 3-4 years old and still fine.
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+1 for Ryobi One+. I have sander, angle grinder (with 1mm SS cutting disc in case I need to ‘lose’ the rigging) and a couple of drills, one of which is an angle drill for those awkward spaces. The first set of batteries has been replaced with the newest Li-on batteries but I must have had this set for 10 years now.
 
fredrussell said:
Makita if you’re feeling flush, Erbauer if you’re not. Both cheapest at Screwfix.
Click to expand...
Wot he said...... Except spend the extra and get Makita, it'll pay dividends in a few years when it's still working well. Separate drill and sander though, and get ones with brushless motors as they are more efficient.
 
Graham376 said:
I've had Makita in the past but replacement batteries cost more than the original tool. Now have a few Ryobi One+, mid priced and possibly the largest selection of tools all using the same batteries - also available cheaper after market. Some 3-4 years old and still fine.
Click to expand...
Ryobi is doing a promotion until the end of December where where you can buy a One + starter kit (eg an 18v impact driver plus battery plus charger plus bag) and claim a free tool (eg a palm sander).

Ryobi Tools UK

Ryobi 12 Tools of Christmas Promotion
 
I have some Ryobi stuff but the price can be high. So I have started to get the Lidl Parkside 20v battery items. The 125mm is reasonable at a good cost.
The son has DeWalt battery sander and drill, both very good but pricey.
Overall I would say the Lidl items are the best value.
 
I am a matika fanboy.

My drill is excellent. DHP481.

The Oribtal sander DBO180Z is there least good. Has three speeds, "Slow, Slower and really slow". Joke stolen from youtuber.

Would still recommend Makita as a brand. DeWalt and Milwakee seem good too.
 
Goldie said:
+1 for Ryobi One+. I have sander, angle grinder (with 1mm SS cutting disc in case I need to ‘lose’ the rigging) and a couple of drills, one of which is an angle drill for those awkward spaces. The first set of batteries has been replaced with the newest Li-on batteries but I must have had this set for 10 years now.
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Very much the same for me - albeit rather more for home than boat use. The angle drill was indispensable for one internal boat application and, already having the batteries and charger, an inexpensive solution to a tricky problem.
 
Hydrozoan said:
Very much the same for me - albeit rather more for home than boat use. The angle drill was indispensable for one internal boat application and, already having the batteries and charger, an inexpensive solution to a tricky problem.
Click to expand...

Why buy a special angle drill when for very little money you can buy a 90° attachment for a drill.
 
WasdaleWanderer said:
Hello,

Having had excellent feed back ref. best options for a multimeter, which we took and are very happy with, we are now looking for the next set of tools for the winter jobs ahead.

Does anyone have experience and preferences for the best battery operated sander (and drill) for use on, in and around our boat. Thinking it would be best to get battery operated to allow for more flexibility.

Thanks in advance.

WW
Click to expand...
I would recommend the Einhell series of battery operated tools, as they meet the minimum accuracy requirements for professional use, but are half the price of Makita tools. Obviously they will be more than your local supermarket or Fleabay specials, but worth the extra. I like Red tools anyway.
 
TNLI said:
I would recommend the Einhell series of battery operated tools, as they meet the minimum accuracy requirements for professional use, but are half the price of Makita tools. Obviously they will be more than your local supermarket or Fleabay specials, but worth the extra. I like Red tools anyway.
Click to expand...

I would always go for a drill with a metal gearbox unfortunately you have to pay for that the next thing to look for is a brushless motor again you have to pay for it.
Eineill seem to be developing quite a following and their power tools look OK but I have no idea how durable they might be, I did look at a portable table saw and mitre saw out of curiosity a few months back and they were quite poor although relatively cheap. I think buying power tools is a bit of a nightmare and the axiom of you get what you pay for is relatively true but I think a lot of manufacturers end up resting on their name and building down to a price, in the end you pays yer money and takes yer chance.
 
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