Input on 1/4 Sheet Sanders

[tombell572]

I've commented here a few times that my wife and I are restoring the interior of her family home that we now own in Portland Oregon. It's a single story craftsman style bungalow built in 1912. During the '50's it was common to "modernize" these houses by painting over the stained Douglas fir trim and stripping off moldings. In attempting to bring these details back to original I often rely on a 1/4 sheet finish sander because its size works well with the type of work I'm doing. Over the past 3-4 years I have cooked two of them, a Ryobi and a Makita.

I'm looking for recommendations on a better quality brand--I'd like to stay with the 1/4 sheet format since this size works well with the door and window casings.

Tom B.

 

[BK13]

I would have thought Makita would have been one of the better ones.


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[Parrothead]

I've beat the tar out of my Dewalt random orbital sander, and it's only been rebuilt once. If that's any indication I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Sanders live a rough life. Right now I'm using a Masterforce 1/4 sheet sander (Menards), but not sure who makes it. Maybe Bosch?

 

[Todd.Brock]

They are probably all about the same. I have an old school makita from the early 90's and then a 15 year old porter cable made in USA that has served me well. B if they are blowing up on you, consider a rigid brand from Home Depot with a lifetime warranty and. Justbe sure to register the damn thing or the warranty is useless

 

[Zeke]

I have 2 Makita 1/4 sheet shakers and the newer one looks and feels a bit cheaper (and it's 20 years old). They take the same parts with the exception of the paper clamps. I think the newer one gets the nod there. They do go through the main center bearing after a few hundred hours. And you should blow them out once or 2wice a day to keep them running cool.

One more thing, even little sanders like these don't like long skinny extension cords. I use no less than 14 ga. and all my cords longer than 25' are 12 ga. The Walmart specials that homeowners offer me never get used unless it's on their tools.

 

[PBCampbell]

This may be worth checking out....
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5-5-Amp-Trim-Router-with-Free-1-4-Sheet-Sander-R24011/202488411

 

[DMAR]

I've had a Bosch for several years now and it has worked great. Not sure if they've maintained the quality on the new ones, but I'd recommend the Bosch if they are still made the same as mine.

I'm surprised the Makita crapped out in you, how much use did you have in it? Makita normally makes very good tools. My father has had his Makita sheet sander for a long time and it's still going strong...

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Porter Cable, older Makita, and Bosch all make great units.

 

[DHCrocks]

If you have a lot of sanding to do you should really think about a 5" or 6" random orbit sander. It leaves a better finish and does so much quicker. To get into the inside corners you can use a oscillating tool with a sanding head.

As far as making yours last longer, blow it out with air after every use. Get it from all the ventilation openings and once in a while open up the case so you can thoroughly clean it. The dust build up is whats killing them, it traps in heat and wears the parts.

 

[TIKI II]

I have had two of the Porter Cable 330 for 20 plus years now and they are bullet proof at the time it was the best available. I don’t use them often but when I do they are worked hard and they have never failed. Assuming the build quality is still the same I would give them a serious look.

https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-330-Speed-Bloc-Sheet-Sander/dp/B0000222Y9?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

 

[dadsEH]

Cooked or just wore out the brushes?

 

[tweedlestan]

My Makita is 20 years old an still going strong.

 

[Wamsutta]

+1 to the Porter-Cable 330

 

[Gotcha640]

Are you using any kind of dust collection beyond the bag on the back? Are you poking the suction holes in the paper?

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[Boilerhouse]

My Makita 1/4 sheet is +30 years old, bought it in 1984. I actually have several Makita tools from that time frame which are still going strong. The one which has been the most abused is the 4" angle grinder. I hadn't heard the new stuff was lesser quality but I will keep my eye on that.

 

[DMAR]

I have had two of the Porter Cable 330 for 20 plus years now and they are bullet proof at the time it was the best available. I don’t use them often but when I do they are worked hard and they have never failed. Assuming the build quality is still the same I would give them a serious look.

https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-330-Speed-Bloc-Sheet-Sander/dp/B0000222Y9?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

TIKI, those are nice sanders... I used to really like Porter Cable wood working tools. Still have USA built circular saw, random orbital sander, and a plunge router, all from the 90s that work great.

I stopped looking to buy PC tools when I saw the new ones were made in China, and looked cheaper. No thanks, I'm not into disposable tools. What a shame...

 

[exmaxima1]

I have had two of the Porter Cable 330 for 20 plus years now and they are bullet proof at the time it was the best available. I don’t use them often but when I do they are worked hard and they have never failed. Assuming the build quality is still the same I would give them a serious look.

The quality may still be ok, but Porter Cable stopped making tools in the USA many years ago. I would not pay the premium price of a P-C 330 for a Chinese/Mexican-made palm sander

 

[Mr_fixit]

I'm also interested in the same question, but my question refers to the way the sandpaper is held down. I used a crappy black & decker where the mechanism that held the paper down really stinks. And I used a tired Makita that was much better. So which brand has a terrific way to hold the sandpaper to the machine? And a good machine?

 

[southalabama]

I've got a 20 year old makita that works fine. Also got a brand new dewalt.

I think they've almost become disposable. Use it a few years and toss it.