Who makes a good palm sander?
- Thread starter M6erfan
- Start date
The HF Bauer gets good reviews?
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I got a Makita off the clearance table at our local ace hardware a few years ago and it’s been good to me. But I can’t remember the model number off the top of my head.
southalabama
Well-known member
Not going to be enough difference in the brands to fret over. Pick one.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Bosch
finn
Well-known member
I have a HF, a Craftsman, and a Bosch.
The first two cost something like $12 when I got them, and the Bosch was a little more.
All three work ok, without issues, but the Bosch, as expected, a little smoother.
The first two cost something like $12 when I got them, and the Bosch was a little more.
All three work ok, without issues, but the Bosch, as expected, a little smoother.
i just shelled out a black and decker 1/4 sheet sander. about 15 years old maybe. i was surprised how cheaply made it was when i tried to repair it. i could have opted for one much like it but decided against it. hopefully the dewalt i replaced it with will be better.
my local choice at ace was cman, b and d and dewalt. part of the reason i went with the dewalt.
my local choice at ace was cman, b and d and dewalt. part of the reason i went with the dewalt.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
I agree with just buy one.. with a good warranty/return scenario. Maybe do some research on best dust collection and lowest noise.
Having said that I have an older Dewalt that I have used an absurd amount and it's still going strong. I replaced the hook/loop pad once and that's it. Parts still readily available.
Having said that I have an older Dewalt that I have used an absurd amount and it's still going strong. I replaced the hook/loop pad once and that's it. Parts still readily available.
You asked who makes a "good" palm (RO) sander. Festool. There is no comparison between Festool and the big box store versions but the same can be said about the cost. Very expensive and only worth it if you're working with hardwoods and fine furniture or if you do it for a living.
IMHO Dewalt makes the best el cheapo but I'm only comparing it to a Porter Cable I had. I'd consider both toys in comparison to the Festool.
IMHO Dewalt makes the best el cheapo but I'm only comparing it to a Porter Cable I had. I'd consider both toys in comparison to the Festool.
Stooge
Well-known member
Good timing, I was just thinking about a getting a new electric sander last night. i had to sand the paint off of a few small pieces, probably 5minutes of work, and where all of my sanders are air, had to fill up the big compressor, since i never replaced an electric milwaukee that let it's smoke out.
Sounds like theyre all similar so its a choice of colors. I usually lean towards Bosch and Makita, so i'll start there
Sounds like theyre all similar so its a choice of colors. I usually lean towards Bosch and Makita, so i'll start there
Movin/on
Well-known member
I've got a few of them both single speed and variable speed, If I'm going from bare wood to painted/poly surfaces the variable speed helps a lot. Price might be double though. I've got Bosch, Makita, Dewalt and PC some if 1/4 pad and others in random orbit. Random orbit variable are my go to's. If I'm sanding aluminum for polishing I use a 1/4 pad clamp on since I can go up to 1000 grit.
Movin/on
Edit: my PC variable speed RO finally (after 30 years) has an issue with the variable speed feature. Need to take it apart and see if there is corrosion or dust causing the problem.
Movin/on
Edit: my PC variable speed RO finally (after 30 years) has an issue with the variable speed feature. Need to take it apart and see if there is corrosion or dust causing the problem.
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Here's a recent similar thread with lots of recommendations: https://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471620
I'll vouch for the HF Bauer 5" random orbital sander, only $35 and potentially cheaper if you can find a coupon: https://www.harborfreight.com/28-amp-5-in-random-orbital-palm-sander-63999.html
I'll vouch for the HF Bauer 5" random orbital sander, only $35 and potentially cheaper if you can find a coupon: https://www.harborfreight.com/28-amp-5-in-random-orbital-palm-sander-63999.html
engineer2
Well-known member
I'm in the market too. My Bosch is about 20 years old and while it still works OK, parts are getting scarce and it seems to eat the orbital bearing on a regular basis because it is loose in the plastic housing. I never liked the on-off switch on the Bosch.
I considered the Makita, but I read it has a reputation for letting parts fly. Would love a cordless quarter sheet sander, but Makita doesn't make one.
I considered the Makita, but I read it has a reputation for letting parts fly. Would love a cordless quarter sheet sander, but Makita doesn't make one.
Thanks guys, kinda what I thought. It seems sanders are either in the $30-$50 range, or $200-$300 range. I have an old PC 6" random orbital but want a smaller 1/4 sheet sander for some cabinet doors and sills I need to refinish. I'm looking at the lower price range; Dewalt, Bosch, and HF.
Pretty sure this was one of the reviews I looked at that thought the Makita was the smoothest operating.
https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/14-sheet-palm-sander-reviews/
https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/14-sheet-palm-sander-reviews/
TimTaylor75
Well-known member
I've been quite pleased with my DeWalt & Hitachi sanders.
Thanks for the link
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
I’d go with Bosch. Any product of theirs that I have bought has never let me down.
macgee
Well-known member
+1
While its a competitive market, I can personally vouch for Bosch's warranty service; its excellent and easily one of the best that I've had to deal with. Not sure if the others have that?
If you already have a PC 6" RO then maybe check out a multi-tool for sanding corners, trim and details.
jar944
Well-known member
Mirka or Festool.
Dynabrade if you have air.
Dynabrade if you have air.
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,598
22 posts and not one person has questioned why you would want/need to sand your palms.
Did I log into the Twilight Zone?
Did I log into the Twilight Zone?
Legion Prime
Well-known member
The DeWalt DW421 we got in the mid 90's is still going strong. I replaced the dust box with the new style spring in a bag type as the O-ring that held the old box on is discontinued and I didn't feel like bothering with it. My dad at one point replaced the loop pad with an adhesive one that I bought a new hook pad for and I replaced the cord as the insulation on the old one was falling apart. Apart from the switch not clicking over all the way on occasion it's never not worked and still running strong having done everything from smoothing bondo, sanding wood projects to sharpening axes. I will say the 3M sandblaster pads are the best I've ever used. When I first got them I thought they were a little pricey but I'll be damned if each one doesn't last longer than any other 3 pads put together.
I'm also fixing to be shopping for a new palm sander, since my old cheapo Smack & Pecker crapped out on me. And I also dont really know who makes a good one. But I do know what will make me decide to buy... Low noise. FFS, that Black & Decker was loudest power tool I've ever heard in my life. My table saw isnt half as loud. The only thing that compares to the insane amount of noise that old PoS put out by just turning the thing on, is perhaps running a grinder on a large metal trash can with a microphone inside hooked up to a PA system cranked to 11 at 3am on a quiet night with the garage door standing wide open.
TLDR: The answer to your question is NOT Smack & Pecker.
TLDR: The answer to your question is NOT Smack & Pecker.
gnpenning
Well-known member
IF you can try out before buying. Vibration, heat can be annoying, I prefer variable speed control.
toolin' around
Well-known member
I’d second that... had a Festool when I was in Oz, and it was the by far the nicest thing I’ve owned!
Had a bunch of other brands, including the Bosch, which was nice, but still no comparison.
rsanter
Well-known member
I have a couple of the dewalt ones, they are great
Parrothead
Well-known member
If you’ve got a Menard’s nearby, they have the HF equivalent with a much better warranty.
Masterforce = Hercules
Performax = Bauer
Well at least as far as sanders go. The parts list on the Performax and the Bauer are the same. I own two Masterforce (orbital and 1/4 sheet) and they compare favorably to my DeWalt.
Masterforce® 2.4-Amp Corded 1/4 Sheet Sander Kit - 6 Piece at Menards https://www.menards.com/main/p-1496989345358.htm
Badgerstate
Well-known member
Id go Ryobi. You could get a Corner Cat or a 1/4 sheet sander for about $40 new. You could also get a random orbit sander for about $45.
Ive got a Ryobi random orbit and the corner cat and theyre both wonderful sanders. I like the random orbit for general sanding and the corner cat for jobs where I have to sand into square corners or for when the random orbit is just too big.
Ive got a Ryobi random orbit and the corner cat and theyre both wonderful sanders. I like the random orbit for general sanding and the corner cat for jobs where I have to sand into square corners or for when the random orbit is just too big.
jgromada
Well-known member
I have 2 single sheet sanders from Bosch. I have some speciality ones from Ryobi as well
Thanks, but no Menard's in this neck of the woods.
Pig In A Poke
Well-known member
Festool then Bosch
toolin' around
Well-known member
I have one, and I like it, but the dust bag is a bit funky... just seems to be in an odd location or the way it fits on seems easy to bump off. I like the fact that it’s cordless and fits my Milwaukee kit, but it might have been better in M12... the M18 battery adds a fair amount of bulk.
Good for casual jobs, but I still miss the Festool!
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Porter-Cable 330. Look no further.
Legion Prime
Well-known member
I will say if I ever buy another palm sander it WILL be cordless. The difference with my cordless circular saw is just unbelievable. Here's hoping the Ridgid one works as well as the old DeWalt.
Gentleman Adventurer
Well-known member
I've had a Makita 1/4 sheet palm sander for years. Still works great.