Random Orbital Sander

[Lakesailor]

I've just bought one as my old electric sander packed up.

Why have I not had one before? Am I the last man in the civilised world to get one?

Brilliant machine.

 

[LittleShip]

Don't worry about it....... I also went years without one, now in use it as first choice.

Tom.

 

[fergie_mac66]

they are good but they do have issues, usually the first thing to go is the velcro then the bearing on the pad. the pads are always hard to get new I have about 6 all needing new pads or bearings the pads are 1/2 the price of the sanders . Air powered random orbits use a flat pad with no velcro and the discs are sticky backed way better . If they ever make a none velcro electric radom orbit sander ill be first in the queue!

edit every 5 or6 months i have a sander day replacing the pads and bearings

 

[Lakesailor]

I'm just guessing you use yours a lot more than I will

 

[DanTribe]

I thought mine was brilliant until the random orbit bearing seized up [due to dust amazingly].
It then instantly became an angle grinder and my locker lid still has the scar.

 

[mrming]

My missus says I spend far too much time with "Sandra".

 

[VicS]

I've just bought one as my old electric sander packed up.

Why have I not had one before? Am I the last man in the civilised world to get one?

Brilliant machine.

I dont have one!

I should not be thinking about buying any more stuff ... I ought to be getting rid of some of the stuff I already have, but just in case I think I need one any recommendations ?

 

[JohnGC]

they are good but they do have issues, usually the first thing to go is the velcro then the bearing on the pad. the pads are always hard to get new I have about 6 all needing new pads or bearings the pads are 1/2 the price of the sanders . Air powered random orbits use a flat pad with no velcro and the discs are sticky backed way better . If they ever make a none velcro electric radom orbit sander ill be first in the queue!

edit every 5 or6 months i have a sander day replacing the pads and bearings

Not all sanding disks are equal when it comes to velcro. I find that Boosh disks stick to my Skill sander rather better than Screwfix cheapos.

 

[Lakesailor]

I went for cheapo. B&Q £35. I've never had problems with cheap machines. The only thing I've found is that a cheap jigsaw wasn't very accurate.

My old B&D electric drill is still better than the newer Bosch.

 

[JohnGC]

I went for cheapo. B&Q £35. I've never had problems with cheap machines. The only thing I've found is that a cheap jigsaw wasn't very accurate.

My old B&D electric drill is still better than the newer Bosch.

I mean the sanding disks themselves.

I found that the Screwfix disks I had didn't stay on the sander for very long.
Bought a new pad for the sander - it was quite worn.
Screwfix disks not much better.
Bought Bosch disks, no more problems.

The only Bosch tool I have is a jigsaw, it's the blue case "professional" range and seems to be very good.

 

[VicS]

I went for cheapo. B&Q £35. I've never had problems with cheap machines. The only thing I've found is that a cheap jigsaw wasn't very accurate.

My old B&D electric drill is still better than the newer Bosch.

Thanks.

Mixed experiences with cheap gear.

Must admit not impressed with my Bosch drill. I should have taken it back when I first bought it. I suspect it may have been dropped and damaged. The cordless one I bought more recently is fine.
Still got my Dads old two speed B&D and his little Bridges one. That must be 60 years old! I keep it on a stand with a small grindstone on it now.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Best

IMO the best I have used is a JCB from B Q. The pad has abigger bearing also has a internal skirt with a bearing surface that stops the pad rocking,it make the bearing last longer than any of the others.when the velcro packs in and it does with heavy use I switched to carpet adhesive spray. And the bearing still stays good have 2 at mo and the first one has lasted for 18 months

 

[Skylark]

Don't worry about it....... I also went years without one, now in use it as first choice.

Tom.

Being the owner of an immitation plastic boat, I'm surprised that you don't have a fleet of them.......and a few more for back up, just in case :encouragement:

 

[30boat]

It pays to go for quality.I have had an Elu,now Dewalt, for nearly 20 years.The pads are cheap and easy to replace,parts are obtainable and the bearing never seized.Powerful too.

 

[Keith 66]

Best electric random orbital sander i have had is a Sealey ER150, i have had one for 25 years & its still going.
Velcro discs are horribly expensive &seem to be universally fitted to DIY machines, the car trade use stick on discs far more.
Go to your local car paint supplier & see what they have. Aftermarket feather edge foam pads for stick on discs are readily available.
Quite easy to retro fit to velcro machines.

 

[snowleopard]

It pays to go for quality.I have had an Elu,now Dewalt, for nearly 20 years.The pads are cheap and easy to replace,parts are obtainable and the bearing never seized.Powerful too.

I got a DeWalt first off. Glad to hear they are reliable. One piece of advice I offer is to go for the 6" rather than 5" as they are a lot more effective (I didn't). Compared to the professional half-sheet orbital I bought many years ago the ROS is soooo much better.

 

[parbuckle]

Best electric random orbital sander i have had is a Sealey ER150, i have had one for 25 years & its still going.
Velcro discs are horribly expensive &seem to be universally fitted to DIY machines, the car trade use stick on discs far more.
Go to your local car paint supplier & see what they have. Aftermarket feather edge foam pads for stick on discs are readily available.
Quite easy to retro fit to velcro machines.

+1 keep away from DIY outlets Car paint factors will supply box 50 velcro discs circa £20 maybe share with friends if too many.

 

[savageseadog]

Best DA sander I've used is a Festo

 

[petehitch]

+ 1 for car paint factors for discs on ebay. I have a Makita which is very good but for ease of use you cannot beat a Mirka.

 

[Lakesailor]

I got a DeWalt first off. Glad to hear they are reliable. One piece of advice I offer is to go for the 6" rather than 5" as they are a lot more effective (I didn't). Compared to the professional half-sheet orbital I bought many years ago the ROS is soooo much better.

I rarely used my orbital sander (it still broke)
The ROS is so good for shaping and finishing wood. It's a real pleasure to use.