Which Sander w/ shop vac attachment

[Dig Doug]

I have the Festool shop vac, a depot Ridgid shop vac and a big concrete grinding shop vac ….

looking for a nice palm sander to go with my assorted shop vacs.

What sanders do you use w/ vac?

Does the vac hose stay on ?

looking to use it all sorts of finishes….

 

[flyingblind]

Why not just look at the Festool sanders if you have one of there Vacs? Most people say the combo is the cats meow.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Are you asking about square pad palm sanders or random orbital?

I have a few different sanders and connect to dust collection whenever possible. Those simple bag collectors just don't do the trick.
I found that the Flexiport setup is easy when I'm swapping sanders. The setup has a pretty durable rubber end that stays on sander ports fairly well. The one disadvantage is the weight. The hose is heavier than the cheaper versions. It's super flexible, but the weight is noticeable when I'm working in the air.
Some sanders come with cheapo connectors that wear out at the body connection and get loose quickly. I usually end up just taping those things to the sander after awhile. That issue seems to pop up more on sanders that have oversized multi fit connectors. The connectors end up having too much swing pressure because they extend out so far. If you are connecting to hose all day, look for a shorter dedicated dust outlet that is part of the body.

It's interesting that you have a Festool vac, but not one of their sanders. I have one of their small random orbitals and it works well. It is fairly comfortable, but not "wow" different.
In terms of durability, it has been excellent. I've burned through quite a few orbitals over the years. With this thing I've only replaced the hook pad. The durability is worth the money for me.
I have looked at their vac system. It just seemed like a lot of moola for my setup. Most of big project stuff is done in a shop with dust collection.

 

[Mike65]

I have a Porter-Cable RO sander & a old DeWalt palm sander both which I hook up to my Ridgid shop vac. The hose stays on the DeWalt better than the PC, probably because the PC sander hose attachment just a press fit where the DW is a slip in fit so it less likely to fall off.

 

[jonshonda]

Bosch is well known for their sanders, and have great hoses and fittings as well. I have their big 6" that is RA and straight cut for heavy material removal. Also have a much smaller 5" palm sander as well. Great combo.

 

[shoot summ]

Bosch is well known for their sanders, and have great hoses and fittings as well. I have their big 6" that is RA and straight cut for heavy material removal. Also have a much smaller 5" palm sander as well. Great combo.

I have the Bosch RO as well, much better than the typical names, but not as expensive as Festool.

I've mostly converted to air though, if you have the air it is way better imo.

 

[cgrutt]

I've had several Festool sanders and they are quite good. My favorite was the 6" Rotax. Unfortunately I've sold all of the Festool due to financial reasons. Been using a Makita RO with Festool vac and it works OK. The sander works great but dust collection is better with the Festool sanders (which probably has to do with how the Festool paper is preferated). Makita makes a similar/clone of the Rotax which is about 1/2 the price of the Festool. I'm considering buying that but would strongly prefer the Festool. One thing that is great with the Festool sanders with Festool vac is the power cord is same length as hose so you're never pulling the plug out of vac. Of course that's not an issue if you're using battery operated sanders but I actually prefer corded sanders if vac hose is going to be tethered along anyway.

 

[Snapped-off]

Makita, Bosch, or Festool.

 

[LeeG]

Festool sanders were my gateway drug.

 

[tarmy]

Festool with the 30’ hose is my solution. Sorta like Eley hose reels. They are expensive and they work great and are the best for the application.

 

[acer66]

I have Bosch and Festool sanders and while the latter is better the Bosch ones I have are not that far behind.

 

[Dig Doug]

Thank you for your replies!

I was looking to see if there was a a cheaper alternative to the Festool sander. My neighbor up the street has 2 Festool sanders, I’ve borrowed both to try out and they are really nice, But are expensive !

I guess I need to bite the Bullet and get one …. ok 2!!

 

[cgrutt]

I have Bosch and Festool sanders and while the latter is better the Bosch ones I have are not that far behind.

Yeah mechanically I think all the name brands are quite similar from a functional standpoint. I have had Festool, Makita, Porter-cable (old school USA stuff) and Craftsman. They've all worked quite well. I don't have a Bosch sander but do own some Bosch (Routers, impact driver, planer, etc) and I'm sure it is just as nice as the Festool. Where Festool really shines however is when you pair one of their sanders with their HEPA vacs. Nearly dustless experience (I've worked with raw wood, painted trim and walls, stained hardwood flooring and sheetrock with the Festool sanders and vac) and the combo is the best I've ever used. Too bad their sanders are nearly 2x the price of everything else.

 

[cgrutt]

Thank you for your replies!

I was looking to see if there was a a cheaper alternative to the Festool sander. My neighbor up the street has 2 Festool sanders, I’ve borrowed both to try out and they are really nice, But are expensive !

I guess I need to bite the Bullet and get one …. ok 2!!

Just FYI the Makita dust port fits Festool hose quite well but it fits inside hose. The festool hose plugs into their sanders and interlocks IIRC. Ive had to make adapters and use duct tape with the Porter-cable sanders. Festool paper is also pretty expensive, but as stated I think they've nailed dust collection. Can't go wrong with Festool IMO but the others do work.

 

[Trapps]

The Texas Urban Sawmill review convinced me to save $$$ and I'm super happy with the Bosch products. I recently added a Fein vac...

 

[paredown]

I got a Mirka 5" and a Festool (plus Bosch for job site stuff)--and I find I reach for the Mirka every time if I'm in the shop. Small light and unstoppable. (I use a Festool vac with anything I can attach it too.)

Also spendy.
(And I love the Mirka Abranet discs too).
Mirka 5" with case

 

[acer66]

I got a Mirka 5" and a Festool (plus Bosch for job site stuff)--and I find I reach for the Mirka every time if I'm in the shop. Small light and unstoppable. (I use a Festool vac with anything I can attach it too.)

Also spendy.
(And I love the Mirka Abranet discs too).
Mirka 5" with case

Nice, I remember stumpy nub was saying that mikra is top notch.

 

[Two Speed]

If you got a 3d printer, shop vac/tool adaptors plenty out there.
one example, and lots more if you do a generic search;

Printables

www.printables.com

 

[Stelzer]

Working as a lead based paint renovator, I use Festool everything except for the hose. Bosch makes this one available on Amazon that's about $80 cheaper and 5' longer than the Festool hose and fits Festool connectors perfectly, though is not antistatic.

For quick material removal, I use my RAS 115.
Follow that up with my RO 125, first in grinder mode and then in orbital mode.
For corners or polishing, I like my RO 90, which has an interchangeable delta head, (triangle shaped), to sand corners and tight spaces.
Look for Surfprep pads when sanding contours, as they can be fit to Festools.

To the OP, if you were to just get 1, the Festool RO 90 would be my choice, since you can put it in grinder mode with heavier grit to quickly remove material, then switch to orbital mode to use as a finishing sander, and as mentioned, it comes with an interchangeable delta head, and it's also a very effective polisher.

Side Note, nobody in the history of civilization has every just had one Festool sander though. They are the lays potato chips of the sanding world in that you can't have just one.

 

[acer66]

I have the Bosch version of the Festool RO 90.

While it does not have a triangle or polish head it has the two modes.

I would want to have a smaller finish sander next to it.

In the more aggressive mode that thing gives me a workout.

 

[cgrutt]

I have the Bosch version of the Festool RO 90.

While it does not have a triangle or polish head it has the two modes.

I would want to have a smaller finish sander next to it.

In the more aggressive mode that thing gives me a workout.

What's the hole pattern on that sander? Does it take the Festool paper? Looks nice.

 

[shoot summ]

I have the Bosch version of the Festool RO 90.

While it does not have a triangle or polish head it has the two modes.

I would want to have a smaller finish sander next to it.

In the more aggressive mode that thing gives me a workout.

I have the earlier version of that sander, picked it up on a black Friday sale for about $180, worth every penny of it.

 

[Zeke]

Stumby Nubs likes the 3M sander and their paper. I bought 2 Festools not realizing I could get both in one. Don't make that mistake if you go FT.

 

[acer66]

What's the hole pattern on that sander? Does it take the Festool paper? Looks nice.

6-Hole and I am not sure about Festool paper.

I only have a 5” Festool and normally Festool does its own thing.

 

[cgrutt]

6-Hole and I am not sure about Festool paper.

I only have a 5” Festool and normally Festool does its own thing.

Thanks I think the Festool 90 is a 7 hole pattern which is pretty much the same. The larger Festool sanders have a ton of holes though something like 48-60 IIRC. I think the Makita supports that paper was wondering if Bosch did as well. I had to sell my Festool sanders but still have a ton of paper for them was just wondering if the Bosch would work. I also have a lot of Mirka paper which I believe is six hole as well. Mirka paper is very good BTW.

 

[acer66]

Thanks I think the Festool 90 is a 7 hole pattern which is pretty much the same. The larger Festool sanders have a ton of holes though something like 48-60 IIRC. I think the Makita supports that paper was wondering if Bosch did as well. I had to sell my Festool sanders but still have a ton of paper for them was just wondering if the Bosch would work. I also have a lot of Mirka paper which I believe is six hole as well. Mirka paper is very good BTW.

Yeah Mikra seems to pretty good
In whatever they make.

I remember Stumpy nub talking about a sanding disk that was like a stiff mesh with some abrasives on it providing great airflow with no holes needing to match.

See if I can find that.

 

[Voi]

Yeah Mikra seems to pretty good
In whatever they make.

I remember Stumpy nub talking about a sanding disk that was like a stiff mesh with some abrasives on it providing great airflow with no holes needing to match.

See if I can find that.

Mirka makes a mesh sanding pad. I do not recall the product name off hand. Have some samples in the shop I can check later.

 

[acer66]

Mirka makes a mesh sanding pad. I do not recall the product name off hand. Have some samples in the shop I can check later.

Yes I think
i found and its called Abranet.

Mirka Abranet® - The Net Abrasive That Powers Up Your Sander

Mirka Abranet® is a dust-free solution for a clean workplace. Abranet improves your quality of finish and helps protect your health. Learn more!

www.mirka.com

Needs an additional backing disk because of the heat is what I read otherwise its bees knees is what they say.

What is your take?

 

[Voi]

Yes I think
i found and its called Abranet.

Mirka Abranet® - The Net Abrasive That Powers Up Your Sander

Mirka Abranet® is a dust-free solution for a clean workplace. Abranet improves your quality of finish and helps protect your health. Learn more!

www.mirka.com

Needs an additional backing disk because of the heat is what I read otherwise its bees knees is what they say.

What is your take?

That's it.

I have three slabs to sand this winter. No opinion yet.

Also no opinion on the subject of this thread. I have a Bosch RO & DeWalt extractor which I run through Dust Deputy. I'd like better DC so hopefully the mesh pads will help. I do have the backing pad as well.

 

[Trapps]

I can confirm the Festool discs work well on the Bosch GET 75-6.



I also use a 150mm Festool Protection Pad on my Bosch sander.