Looking for help with a Palm Sander

[charlie.schroeder]

Howdy All,

I am in the market for a random orbital palm sander for some refinishing projects on the house. Sanders are not my area of expertise, so any input in what is good today is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[signcrafter]

I have a ridgid corded one that has worked good for the last 12 or so years. Just recently I picked up the milwaukee m18 RO sander and love it. So nice not having a cord.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I have a ridgid corded one that has worked good for the last 12 or so years. Just recently I picked up the milwaukee m18 RO sander and love it. So nice not having a cord.

How’s the run time with it. Already a Milwaukee guy, so that wouldn’t be a crazy jump.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a nice Makita and a cheap Harbor Freight. Both do the job. Both corded

 

[signcrafter]

How’s the run time with it. Already a Milwaukee guy, so that wouldn’t be a crazy jump.

I didn't time it but it does go through some batteries. I used it pretty much non stop for about 4 hours and I kept rotating three 5.0 batteries in a rapid charger. Just a guess but probably about 30 minutes on one battery. I tried putting a 9.0 in it and didn't like the feel of the balance so stuck with the 5.0s.

Was doing some little sanding the other day and was great not having to get a cord out. Usually when I'm using it I have a jigsaw, router, track saw, and a few other tools out. So eliminating any cords is a huge help since picking up and putting down tools one after another tangles cords like crazy. The m18 router and m18 or m12 jigsaw are on my long list of tools to get. Then just need milwaukee to come out with a m18 track saw that works on my makita rails.

But as far as the sander goes I love it and am actually thinking about picking up another one so I don't have to keep switching grits as much.

 

[rice rocket]

I don't care for the cordless craze (on sanders, at least), because I always run my sanders with a dust extractor. If you're not, you're likely using 5x more sandpaper than you need to be (and covering your house with dust).

I have both Bosch and Makita palm sanders, they both work well.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I didn't time it but it does go through some batteries. I used it pretty much non stop for about 4 hours and I kept rotating three 5.0 batteries in a rapid charger. Just a guess but probably about 30 minutes on one battery. I tried putting a 9.0 in it and didn't like the feel of the balance so stuck with the 5.0s.



Was doing some little sanding the other day and was great not having to get a cord out. Usually when I'm using it I have a jigsaw, router, track saw, and a few other tools out. So eliminating any cords is a huge help since picking up and putting down tools one after another tangles cords like crazy. The m18 router and m18 or m12 jigsaw are on my long list of tools to get. Then just need milwaukee to come out with a m18 track saw that works on my makita rails.



But as far as the sander goes I love it and am actually thinking about picking up another one so I don't have to keep switching grits as much.

Appreciate the input. I hear ya on the tangled cords. Two hole hawgs and two corded impacts at work create a giant rats nest switching between all of them. Unfortunately my battery game is lacking and in need of an upgrade as they are all well aged, so I think the cordless will be out for me. I can only imagine at the rate they are pumping out tools, that track saw can’t be too far off.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I don't care for the cordless craze (on sanders, at least), because I always run my sanders with a dust extractor. If you're not, you're likely using 5x more sandpaper than you need to be (and covering your house with dust).

I have both Bosch and Makita palm sanders, they both work well.

I was looking at a new Bosch, read the dust collection is actually pretty good.( Not a huge deal for me). Is the cupping issue actually a thing with the pad?

 

[rice rocket]

Which one were you looking at, specifically? ROS20?

I've never had issues w/ warped pads, but again, I'm always using dust extractors, which cools the pad and your work surface to reduce clogging to a minimum.

I know it's a hard sell when the base models come in @ $50, but if you up your budget to the 3725DEVS, it's a much better experience overall. Less vibration/fatigue, faster work, better dust management, I believe they're still made in Switzerland. Only time I take out the little mouse sanders is when I'm touching up stuff on walls or such, when I have to hold the full weight of the sander for long periods of time. Otherwise, flat surfaces, let the sander do the work.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

It was the ROS20 I was first looking at. Checking out the 3725, it just looks more comfortable from the pictures, which better ergonomics is really starting to become a thing of mine. I don’t mind paying for quality tools, they pay for themselves one way or another, as long as they last.

 

[signcrafter]

I don't care for the cordless craze (on sanders, at least), because I always run my sanders with a dust extractor. If you're not, you're likely using 5x more sandpaper than you need to be (and covering your house with dust).

I have both Bosch and Makita palm sanders, they both work well.

The milwaukee actually has a really good dust collector built in with a filter. Was surprised at how well it worked. But I do run mine with my shop vac and cyclone dust separator most of the time. I use this hose because it's light and super flexible, https://www.rockler.com/dust-right-universal-small-port-hose-kit. I would much rather have one vac hose attached to the sander then a cord and hose. The issue with cords is they all get plugged in right next to each other. So in my case I'll pick up my jig saw and use it and set it down, then the router, then the sander and repeat as needed. Once or twice into that rotation and the cords are wrapped up like crazy and when I pick up my sander it's dragging a router and jig saw with it. So ya cordless is great for these.

 

[engineer2]

I have a 20 year old Bosch corded quarter sheet sander. (older version of the 1297D)
Pro:
Uses standard sandpaper, you can find anything for it.
Plenty of power, even if you bear down on it.
Parts are available.

So-so:
Dust collection is OK, it gets about half of it.

Con:
Small switch is ergonomically poor.

Repairs:
I have to replace the bearing in the orbital mechanism every few years
The paper clamp broke once from metal fatigue.

 

[exmaxima1]

I bought the Bosch 3725DEVSN last year when it was on sale for around $115. Not technically a "palm sander" but very easy to handle with one hand. I didn't expect it to be so good, but it convinced me to sell my 3x21 and 4x24 belt sanders. Highly recommended

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I do agree that the 3725 does kinda get away from the palm sander aspect. With that being said, maybe it would have a few more uses.

 

[CJM8515]

I have both a milwaukee corded 1/4 sheet sander and a dewalt adjustable rpm random orbit disc. I like the dewalt better for most things. Cordless is fine if you are barely gonna use it, but corded is the way to go imho.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I think you have to put your hands on a few to see how they feel. Compare the amps ratings too.

Have Makita, Dewalt, Bosch. They all work fine, but not as well as my favorite 7" Sander/Polisher "wood eraser" ,with 50 grit!

 

[The Cobbler]

I have 2 older porter cable r/o 5" sanders. replaced a pad & belt on one and a bearing in the other in 20 years of occasional use. I like them and for what I demand of them, they're fine

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I do agree probably should check a bunch out in person for the hand feel. Appreciate all the input everyone!

 

[tarbellb]

For a cheap general duty 5" palm sander, the Bosch ROS20 (variable speed) is the best imo.

I have used (and warrantied) several Milwaukees, they are not great. Heavy handed, dust collection is fair to poor, and unreliable.

Makita would be my next choice, smaller, ergo, reliable.

Once you decide on a ROS, do yourself a favor and buy Mirka mesh pads, absolutely better then any paper pads in every aspect.

PS, buy the Bosch. Then when you get real serious about sanding, buy the 1250DEVS...

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a Porter-Cable 330 1/4 sheet sander. It is one very smooth running bammajamma. No vibration at all. It's one of the early original designs before Porter-Cable got taken over by the conglomerates. It's a finish grade sander.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to say thank you for all the help and input. After getting my hands on a few, I went with the Bosch ROS20. CPO had a pretty sweet deal going as well on it, plus I got it with the hard case (seems impossible to get them anymore). Thanks all for the help!

 

[Packard V8]

Glad you got what you're happy with.

plus I got it with the hard case (seems impossible to get them anymore).

I don't keep many blow molded hard cases. To me, they're space hogs. The one machine I wish I'd gotten with a case is the Fein multi-tool, because of all the attachments and the wrench needs kept together.

FWIW on my shelf are corded sanders: a small Ryobi more than thirty years old, mediuim size Porter Cable and Makita and a huge, heavy 1/2" sheet Junior Tool Company more than fifty years old which is the best of the bunch. The weight means the paper moves and not the machine body; the smaller, lighter units buzz the operator's hand more.

However, no one mentioned air tools. I've also got a forty-year-old Rodac palm sander which is far more pleasant to use than any of the electrics; it's quieter, smoother, more powerful and seems as if it will last forever. Rodac was the choice of professional auto paint and body guys, but they just couldn't compete price-wise against the Chicom-good-enough-stuff.

Anyone else use air sanders?



jack vines