I need to buy a sander tomorrow

[rmack898]

Wood is a four letter word to me and the title says it all.
I seldom work with wood but having a brand new house requires me to do a few projects that require working with wood.

The only sander I have (outside of automotive type DA's) is a 30 year old Makita 1/4 sheet palm sander.

I have some re-claimed doors that I need to sand so they can be refinished. I am thinking that a 5" or 6" random orbit sander is what I need, but I really don't know to much about sanding wood. The doors I need to sand are unfinished but heavily weathered from being outside. We plan on doing a washed stain finish on them.

I am limited to what is available at the 2 major box stores or a very well sticked Ace hardware.

While have a bazillion dollars in red cordless tools, I think a corded sander makes the most sense.

What should I buy? I need to buy it tomorrow morning.

 

[JP Chestnut]

I’m a new homeowner and just bought a cordless makita random orbital palm sander. It’s pretty easy to use and does anything I’ve needed it to.

I think cordless is the way to go.

 

[PCustoms]

Whichever you get, get one with dust collection.

I have a Bosch, works pretty good. I've also used the larger (6" I think) Ridgid.

 

[scooterbum46]

If you're looking for another 1/4 sheet corded, stay away from the Dewalt, very poor rear bail (paper clamp) with pivot extensions that protrude off the platen and break easily(I've seen floor models with them broken). I've got the Dewalt corded variable speed R/O and really like it, several years old and still works great.

 

[Rarified27]

I have a 5" DeWalt Orbital Sander from 2010 still going strong. The attached bag is aced well as to not limit access and doesn't puff small particles through. A solid, reliable buy.

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[driftpin]

Better check those doors for warpage before spending time on them. Pop the hinge pins off a door of the same width and throw those doors into the opening/framing, that should give you an idea about their usability.

If they're panel doors I've used a belt sander for the stiles/rails, the panels probably are best done with a random orbital sander. If you're working in a shop, yes to the dust collection, if outside, you could skip it.

 

[SJay3660]

Bosch is nice, If you really want to get it done quickly look at Fetool Rotax.

 

[rmack898]

These doors were originally bi-fold panel doors that I cut down and glued together to make a pair of 24" barn doors.

 

[CJM8515]

I have a 5" DeWalt Orbital Sander from 2010 still going strong. The attached bag is aced well as to not limit access and doesn't puff small particles through. A solid, reliable buy.

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have a similar one. not a dewalt guy but they had the best deal and it worked well so far. going on 5 years with sporadic use

 

[Rarified27]

have a similar one. not a dewalt guy but they had the best deal and it worked well so far. going on 5 years with sporadic use

Same situation led me to buy it. I'm Milwaukee cordless and DeWalt corded. They had what I needed at a price I could afford. My sander gets used a few times a month, all year long with no issues. Just did some cedar window boxes and it was smooth as always. I have a corded Ridgid I bought in a pinch for a second set of hands and it's not nearly as nice.

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[Fly YX]

I Know the shelf's at my hd we're pretty bear on sanders ended up having to get a cordless Ridgid that was in a different spot then it should have been but if you have a lot to do probably go corded unless you have a lot of batteries.

 

[captaindiode]

I recently got a new Makita random orbit disc sander from Home Depot. It seems to do a good job. Model BO5041.

 

[Legion Prime]

I've got an old DeWalt DW421 5" orbital that we've had and used since the mid 90's. I've replaced the dust collector since they no longer make the original style, replaced the pad and then replaced the cord since it was rather worse for wear, still running it to this day. That being said I would buy a cordless unit today despite having the DeWalt. I bought a cordless circular saw since I was sick of all of mine having only 3' cords and it is just night and day not having to deal with a cord. I am working on refinishing our porch and using my friends even older Craftsman belt sander, cordless is the way to go. If you already have cordless tools just go with a cordless sander, I seriously can't think of a reason not to.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm not answering your question because I have some concerns
Once you sand the flat surfaces, how do you plan to sand everything else?
you have a huge job there to bring them to any sense of new type or uniform condition.
I would seriously look at leaving them just as is and finding a finish to leave that weathered look

trying to get the surfaces all looking the same after you sand the flats will be a ton of work, and virtually impossible

 

[SeisMec]

I agree with The_Cobbler, but will add that you might want to consider attempting to remove some of the stains with oxalic acid. (Test it on an edge.)

Bob Villa's opinion is a little more circumspect about it than that 1st link.

Forty years ago it worked great for me on Mom's oak, 3 leaf, Pedestal Round table.

 

[The Cobbler]

there's also a lot of leverage on the glue joints. I can see them splitting there over time. it doesn't look like a tight glue joint . did you put in anything to strengthen the joint

 

[jshillin]

I have a Bosch Corded RO Sander, but I got an M18 RO Sander for Father's day and have used the hell out of it. If you have a couple 5.0AH or larger batteries, you should give it a go. I haven't used my Bosch since getting the Milwaukee. It's so nice not worrying about the cord.

 

[RTM]

Under the gun, I would buy whatever they have paper for. The selection of sandpaper available has been poor lately, and trying to match 5 hole Velcro paper th 8 hole PSA isn’t fun.

Random orbits can use much higher grits to do the same work, and get a better finish than your old 1/4 sheet.

And scrape or chisel the excess glue off, don’t try to sand it.

 

[Shed of tools]

For one project any sander will do the job a brand name one will make it more for and a Makita should last you the rest of your life for doing projects at home.

 

[gnpenning]

I agree with Cobbler about the sanding and glue joint. If you look on at the glue joint on the stiles you can see how much glue surface area along with the support of the joint. Hopefully you supported the joints.

 

[Jswain]

If you already have an automotive type DA & a 1/4 sheet then I would just buy the sandpaper for those machines and call it a day. Unless for some reason you don't have access to air where you will be sanding the doors, the price you don't have to pay for a new machine will stock you up on sandpaper for awhile, and the DA won't care if you are using it to sand metal or wood

 

[rmack898]

I would seriously look at leaving them just as is and finding a finish to leave that weathered look

We are going for a weathered/distressed look but we need to at least sand to a uniform starting point.

there's also a lot of leverage on the glue joints. I can see them splitting there over time. it doesn't look like a tight glue joint . did you put in anything to strengthen the joint

The pics are a little deceiving but the joint is tight, I used 1/2" dowels on 12" centers and a bunch of bar clamps.

Under the gun, I would buy whatever they have paper for. The selection of sandpaper available has been poor lately, and trying to match 5 hole Velcro paper th 8 hole PSA isn’t fun.
.

Good point on seeing what paper is regularly available.

I agree with Cobbler about the sanding and glue joint. If you look on at the glue joint on the stiles you can see how much glue surface area along with the support of the joint. Hopefully you supported the joints.

I will scrape the glue with a scraper.


I'm off to the box to see what they have.

 

[ChevyEFI]

The 5" orbital Chicago Electric from HF with some 3M papers from HD works for me.

It would get you through that job no problem.

Please post results.

 

[exmaxima1]

Whichever you get, get one with dust collection.

I have a Bosch, works pretty good. I've also used the larger (6" I think) Ridgid.

+1 for the Bosch RO sander

I love how easy it is to swap discs, and the collection system is very good. I sold my belt sanders after getting the Bosch 3725DEVS

 

[rsanter]

You know wit the right sandpaper you can use the DA you have on wood.......

 

[tarbellb]

Also recommend using your DA if possible.

The best sander you can buy at the big boxes stores is the Bosch. More importantly is the sand paper, buy the best possible. 3M is excellent, Mirka, or even Diablo.

 

[sparky 1971]

I am with you on working with wood. I hate it. That being said, I constantly have some type of wood working project going on. I bought the Masterforce random orbit at Menards. That cheap little thing works incredibly well. I used it yesterday sanding on my deck. About 32' X 6" along the house where I don't trust myself with a big floor sander and about 96' of 1X12 fascia board. It didn't shut off for two hours. It got hot to the point it would have been miserable without gloves, but didn't miss a beat.

 

[908Jim]

there's also a lot of leverage on the glue joints. I can see them splitting there over time. it doesn't look like a tight glue joint . did you put in anything to strengthen the joint

I was thinking the same thing. Wood dowels perhaps?

 

[Legion Prime]

I'm off to the box to see what they have.

So, what did you get?

 

[Farmall450]

I’m a new homeowner and just bought a cordless makita random orbital palm sander. It’s pretty easy to use and does anything I’ve needed it to.

I think cordless is the way to go.

I really like my DeWalt RO. I think cordless is fine for these uses.

 

[BillK]

is a 30 year old Makita 1/4 sheet palm sander.

Does your present sander work ok ? Personally I dont think a new one is going to be much better unless you just feel like spending money on a new tool. I have a Black & Decker 1/4 sheet sander that is at least 30 years old and it is still my go to tool for that type of job. Start with a rough grit and see what happens.

 

[rmack898]

So, what did you get?

I was torn between the Milwaukee M18 RO and the Dewalt corded RO. They are both 5" sanders and use hook/loop paper. Diablo brand paper is everywhere.

As much as I have invested in Milwaukee cordless tools, I just didn't think that this was a good application for going cordless.

I bought the DeWalt corded sander and am quite pleased with how its working for me. They didn't have the Bosch and I'm not a fan of Ryobi.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[Legion Prime]

I was torn between the Milwaukee M18 RO and the Dewalt corded RO. They are both 5" sanders and use hook/loop paper. Diablo brand paper is everywhere.

As much as I have invested in Milwaukee cordless tools, I just didn't think that this was a good application for going cordless.

I bought the DeWalt corded sander and am quite pleased with how its working for me. They didn't have the Bosch and I'm not a fan of Ryobi.

Nice! My dad bought our DeWalt 25 years ago and it's still going strong, just used it along the wall of the porch. The best paper I've found so far is the 3M Sandblaster, stuff seems to last forever. I bought some of the 3M professional discs at a much better price and they're doing pretty well so far. You should be using yours for many many years to come.

 

[Mikes shop]

Anyone know a source for old black and decker drive belt. Model #4026. sanding belt size is 3”x21”. I tried replacement parts but no luck there. Problem looks like this is a splined drive belt,( similar to serpentine on cars) not a ribbed belt which appears to be the norm on newer belt sanders. I am going to look it the splined hubs on the Motor shaft and drive drum to see if they could be replace to accept a newer style belt. this sander was built well, and runs great, but not without a drive belt.
thanks for any help.

 

[Wolley]

I'd go with what you already have. But if you want a new one get something with variable speed that you can adjust and a cord.

 

[finn]

We hav three. (Actually my wife has three, as I hate sanding wood. The first is a Bosch, then I needed one at my mothers in Florida to refinish her dining room table, so I bought a HF since it was, I thought, a one time use tool. The third was a Craftsman that I stumbled upon going through the old Sears Hardware store, on sale for $12. ( I bought two and gave one to my son).

All three work well, and would be suitable for what the op os doing. The Bosch finally stopped working, but it was a broken wire terminal, which was easily repaired (although the $8 terminal shipped to the house was almost as expensive as the HF or craftsman cost new).

Personally, if you hate woodworking, I would second the possibility of using your existing air tools for the project. Mine made fast work of Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car construction when the boys were younger. Plus they seemed to really enjoy the air tools over whittling down that pine block with a knife.

 

[toolenthusiast]

The DA is fine in principle. However, if it spits a bit of oil onto the workpiece, it’s a lot harder to degrease wood than steel.

 

[RTM]

Anyone know a source for old black and decker drive belt. Model #4026. sanding belt size is 3”x21”. I tried replacement parts but no luck there. Problem looks like this is a splined drive belt,( similar to serpentine on cars) not a ribbed belt which appears to be the norm on newer belt sanders. I am going to look it the splined hubs on the Motor shaft and drive drum to see if they could be replace to accept a newer style belt. this sander was built well, and runs great, but not without a drive belt.
thanks for any help.

Do you have any remnant of the old belt, or teeth on the drive and driven ends that you can match up?

Seems with a little math, and looking at the various descriptions here

Toothed beltsAT profile | norelem

Material: Polyurethane (PU) with steel cord reinforcement. - Note: Endless toothed belt with trapezoidal profile and reinforced steel...

www.norelem.com

you might be able to get something that works. Then go to your supplier of choice. With the increase in robotics and 3D printers being built, parts like this are much more available in the real world, rather than just in the B&D parts room.

Or go here and buy theirs for $14.95, (plus $30 shipping) and measure the belt, and have 2

http://www.cumberlandenterprises.com/powertools.html (Ctl F for 4026)

 

[Firebrick43]

Anyone know a source for old black and decker drive belt. Model #4026. sanding belt size is 3”x21”. I tried replacement parts but no luck there. Problem looks like this is a splined drive belt,( similar to serpentine on cars) not a ribbed belt which appears to be the norm on newer belt sanders. I am going to look it the splined hubs on the Motor shaft and drive drum to see if they could be replace to accept a newer style belt. this sander was built well, and runs great, but not without a drive belt.
thanks for any help.

How about starting a new thread instead of resurrecting a zombie thread?