Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
Apologies for asking a beginner question, but the sales rep was less than helpful.
So I’m about to buy a sheet sander. There seem to be 2 general designs, 1- & 2-handed.
Which design is better for what kind of work?
I’ll be using it for sanding various small-scale DIY projects. Everything from large surfaces to detail work & edges. I don’t do enough woodworking to motivate buying ALL the sanders (even though the current 50% discount is tempting), so I need one that works ok for most applications.
Edit:
It needs to be cordless & fit my existing batteries, and I’m on a budget. The only ones in budget & battery are variations of the above designs. They do come with vacuum adapters.
Welcome to the forum.
My suggestion is instead to select a vacuum sander.
The tool I’ve used for thousands of heavy duty working hours is the Festool RO 150 FEQ (now the RO 150 FEQ-Plus). This expensive tool is highly recommended by me.
The HUGE advantage to a vacuum sander is GREATLY extended media life. The extraction airflow cools the worksurface, cools the media AND prevents clogging the paper, when proper grit and removal speed is selected.
The other big advantage is a VERY clean work area. As an example, I’ve sanded the bottom of my boat many times, before and after purchasing this tool. Before, even w/ the bunny suit, mask, goggles and gloves, I would be black and physically sick from the toxic, metal laden dust. Afterwards, I am clean and feel fine. ALMOST don’t even mask and goggles.
There are sooo many options for media, for any application.
Here are some images, showing me sanding off the bottom paint, then barrier coat, then new bottom paint.
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This topic shows my gable vent repair / restoration, which included sanding the wood bare, also using the Festool RO 150 FEQ.
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Rather than (IMO) wasting money on one of those OP-listed sanders, I would just get and use (another) ¼ sheet rubber sanding block.
wingless wrote:
10 hours ago, wingless said:My suggestion is instead to select a vacuum sander.
Very nice sander, but at >10x the price, that’s a hard no right now. I’ll look at one when I get a better paying job.These models do also come with vacuum adapters, though likely not as fancy.
I do need a cordless one, because some work is done in an off-site un-electrified shed. All sanders in my current price range & battery system are variations of the above two types.
Orbital sanders are not on offer, so those are also outside of my budget.
Here is a reasonably priced sander w/ a vacuum port, that would permit connection to a shop vac, to attain the improved media life benefit, from cooling the surfaces and removing the contamination.