1/4 sheet vs. orbital sander

[nh_yota]

I have both of them - but one thing I've never quite understood is the reason to use one versus the other. I'm aware of the general benefits of each one, but if an orbital sander is so great, why do we still have 1/4 and 1/2 sheet sanders?

Sander professionals enlighten me.

 

[speed bump]

Without doing a quick google I would guess that you would use a 1/4 or 1/2 sheet sander when you needed to sand something along a grain. It seems to look odd when I sand cross grain on trim or what not.

 

[southalabama]

Because people buy them.

Preferences.

 

[nh_yota]

Obviously being square the 1/4 sheet sander is good for getting into corners. However I also have a Bosch oscillating multi-tool which I use for sanding in tight spaces. I'm just wondering if the 1/4 sheet sander has gone the way of radial arm saws.

 

[Stuey]

Obviously being square the 1/4 sheet sander is good for getting into corners. However I also have a Bosch oscillating multi-tool which I use for sanding in tight spaces. I'm just wondering if the 1/4 sheet sander has gone the way of radial arm saws.

Yup.

I generally consider random orbital sanders for general work, 1/4 sheet sanders for finish work and work in corners. Doesn't the 1/4 sheet often have smaller orbital action or stroke length as well? I don't use my 1/4 sheet sander much, but I won't get rid if it either.

 

[Zeke]

I use a 1/4 sheet and 6" round vibrators for everything. They're both Makitas. Well, I have belt sanders, but that's not the discussion. The old 1/2 sheet sanders are too slow and worthless.

I think the science behind the RO or DA sanders is that it's impossible to leave a pattern.

 

[BikerDad]

Paper for 1/4 Sheet sanders is cheaper than discs for ROS. ROS can't get into inside corners. That's about it. In pretty much every other respect, a ROS is superior.

 

[KenC]

The 1/4 sheet sanders are orbital but not random orbit. If you look closely, they always leave an orbit track. finer grits just mean the track if harder to see. Random orbits do not leave the same type of pattern, ie: they are random,not fixed orbit.
their finish is better and do faster stock removal than fixed orbit.

But, 1/4 sheet are great for inside corners

 

[Lassen Forge]

The only thing I've seen 1/2 sheet sanders (of sorts) used for recently is hardwood flooring finishing. Other than that or large flat wood surfaces, don't recall seeing one... and that was a while ago.

I have my "little" 1/4 sheet sander - use it mostly for finish work. The orbital I have (also a Makita) doesn't leave as smooth a surface as the 1/4 sheet. I also find myself using the 1/4 sheet more for wood, the orbital more for metal. They both have their uses...

If I was doing large expanses of woodwork (like tabletops or wood counters etc.) then I could maybe see a 1/2 sheet sander, but when my old (early 60's) Craftsman gave up the ghost (finally wore out) I didn't bother replacing it, because I used it so infrequently.