Best Random Orbital Sander

[EEtwidget]

Im in the market for a random orbital sander, I think it will make refinishing the vanity project go much faster. I'm leaning towards the dewalt but I'm open to all brands. I don't know if I would ever really need variable speed, at least for woodworking applications, but working with other materials it might come in handy.

What do you guys think? Bosh, Crapsmen, Dewalt? Too many too choose from.

As always I am able to buy this tool because I did some side work. I only have about $100 to spend on the sander though.

[Conductor562]

I have a Makita RO. Nice sander. No complaints at all.

[Punda1991]

Conductor is right! I have the makita also and it's the best one I've owned.

[EEtwidget]

Are you talking about this guy?

 

Makita 5 in. Random Orbit Sander: Model # BO5030K     $69.97

 

Great price, or the variable speed model?

[EEtwidget]

The Bosh also looks good.

 

Bosch 2.5-Amp Orbital Power Sander Item #: 294221     $59.00

 

But I dont know if I like the dust collector

[ChrisK]

I am a fan of the Bosch RO. The Makita is a pretty slick machine too. Although I love Milwaukee I've never used their sander. Believe it or not I have a Hitachi 5" RO too, that is a pretty slick machine. I bought it on Big Sky tools as a recond unit. As usual it appears and acts like a new machine (at least when I got it....not so new looking now). I paid $29!

[dwain]

I just bought the Bosch 5" ROS20VSK.

 

It's my first ROS, but after lots of research I went the Bosch over the Dewalt. That dust filter is amazing. I honestly don't feel the need to wear a mask or glasses unless I'm sanding above chest height. If this is high on your priority list, look no where else.

 

Check out this comparison that I found helpful.

http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/work-order-tracking/tool-test--5-inch-random-orbit-sanders_6.aspx

[Anonymous]

Last time I bought a sander was in 2008.  I walked into home depot, looked at em' all, held them all, and ended up buying a ridigid.  It's been great but if I had to do it over, I'd probably buy a bosch.

[Conductor562]

I have the one you linked, not the variable speed. I got it because my Makita 1/4 sheet sander held up so well, and the RO turned out to be great too.

The Bosch would be a fine choice too though.

[Punda1991]

I've read good things about the bosch ros as we'll, but I like my Mikita

[Schavo22]

I have the makita without the variable speed. Like it a lot the only complaint is that the dust collector bag falls off too much during use, but that problem could be easily fixed. I remember reading about the porter cable winning best overall award in a comparison with other major brands

[ChrisK]

You know...if you want drop some BIG money get the Festool RO90. Massive quantities of material removal with it down to super finesse. Big bucks though. The link that Dwain provided is what I used when I bought my Hitachi. It's a really awesome RO but like everyone else, I'd go with the Bosch. I've got the RO90 with the Midi (Eric and Dan did an awesome review of those tools) and it simply cannot be beat. I also have the Metabo 3" SXE 400 too and it is an awesome tool too. Amazon sells the Metabo for $119 but it has a vac port and is a well made German machine.

[EEtwidget]

I dont have money for the festool, wish I could go that route. Looks like I will be putting which ever sander I get to good use. We are going to sell our house and there is lots of work needed to get it in shape. The vanity project will be put on hold and Ill start knocking out some honey do's.

 

Im leaning towards the Bosh RO. The price is right and reviews are awesome. The Mikita is also in the running. I'll make a decision before the week is up.

[Conductor562]

The Makita is 3 amps. The Bosch is 2.5 IIRC

[dwain]

Yeah the Bosch isn't leading the pack for for stock removal. Makita and Hitachi do better. The Dewalt (though 3 amp) also fairs poorly in this spec.

[Punda1991]

Go makita! I use it almost every day in our shop and we don't baby it! It really holds up, also someone mentioned the bag falling off! If you put it in fairly tight you shouldn't have that problem, it has fell of with a shop vac hose connected tho!

[BK13]

So, FNG orbital sander question: is a variable speed handy/necessary, or do you typically just crank it up to 11 and let 'er rip?

[Conductor562]

I personally don't see much need for variable speed, but maybe that's just me.

[Punda1991]

One of my jobs I work through winter is at a furniture store servicing broken tables, chairs, couches, ect the varable speed works for me cause it's good for finishing table tops! But idk I could still do it on full speed too! But for control vise it's on point

[ChrisK]

Depends on the paper and finish you want. I like variable for fine work it really helps out. But truth be told I normally keep it at max for material removal.

[BK13]

Okay, thanks, fellas.

[Punda1991]

I want the festool so bad to use the polish pads! Then the varable speed is great as we'll!

[ChrisK]

Do it....do it man....get into da choppa.....!

[EEtwidget]

The biggest benefit to variable speed is when sanding material other then wood. reduce the speed =reduction in friction/heat. Sanding materials like plastic at high speed will gum up the paper and melt your work piece.

[hfd7c]

I have the Ridgid R26011 and have no complaints. Ive used the Dewalt D26451K quite a bit as well but bought the Ridgid simply because it felt more comfortable in my hand. For the few extra dollars I would definitely buy a model with variable speed. As others have said it works well for sanding different materials but also simply for control of the sander. Sometimes your want to just go to town and rip down quite a bit while other times more finesse is needed and this keeps the sander from jumping around.