Hey All,
New guy here. I was looking at two quarter-sheet finishing sanders to use for general ding repairs. The ones I’m looking at were a Makita (model BO4556) vs. a comparable DeWalt (not sure on the model). The DeWalt is 0.6 lb. heavier, and a few dollars more.
Which do you guys think is probably the better buy?
Welcome to Sway’s kpw…
I used 1/4 sheet sanders in the past , but that was before they came out with 5" random orbital sanders…
If you don’t already hav a good random orbital, I’d say forget the 1/4 sheet sander and go with the orbital instead… How much is the Makita? I 've got a really well made Milwaukee 5" orbital that cost me $79. Can. and it has a 5 year warranty… The orbital sanders move the paper around, well, randomly, reducing the gummy build up on the paper allowing it to last longer… They fit into curved surfaces better also…
If you’re sold on either 1/4 sheet sander, buy the one with the most amperage and the best warranty…
Here’s the one I have…I believe it works with sticky backed sanding disks or the hook and loop, I use the latter…
Check out the 1/4 sheet random orbital at the bottom of the link above, $59.00 is a good price
Just doing a few dings or burnishing a sanded/sealed board with a scotchbrite pad use an orbital.. Doing alot of ding repairs and sanding the occasional hotcoat pick up a sander/polisher. If I was going to spend $59 I would save myself $20 and pick up a polisher/sander from Harbor Freight currently on sale at $39. Otherwise a Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt or Hitachi sander//polisher will run $159-----$200 plus. Add a soft or medium "Power Pad" from Larry at Fiberglass Fin Co. (aka Probox Larry), another $40. Forget the palm sized vibrating sander.
Mc Ding is right about getting a sander polisher if you’re doing more than the ocasional ding… Although I’m not sure if Harbor Frieght electrical hand tools are as good a deal as they seem? You do really get what you pay for, most of the time anyway…
I own an 8-9" Milwaukee sander / polisher and at $200. plus 3 power pads,it can get expensive… … The 5" orbital complements the bigger sander well for finish sanding, an is not a bad choice for light usage…
The sander /polisher McDing recommends is best suited for board building, I’ve just never seen one for $39… We don’t have a Harbor Freight here in Canada, not that I’m aware of… We have a similar style chain store, but their electric hand tools are crap…Usually bad switches…
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-variable-speed-polisher-sander-92623.html
I'm usually going to grab one of my big Milwaukees for any sanding, no matter how small the job. Those little sanders always looked and felt like toys to me. But my friends in the marine industry tell me there have been a lot of advancements in the little buggers, especially the small random-orbits. They will actually remove material now rather than just kind of dancing around on top like the vibrating ones.
Porter Cable makes a very nice 5&6" sander with a grinder body. It is random orbit, has dust collection collar, variable speed, and has plenty of power to spare. It is like a Millwaukee sander/ polisher only scaled down, and a great compliment to a bigger sander. Harbor Freight tools are not for the long run. Everyday use will quickly burn them out. Chinese manufacturers use one size SMALL GUAGE wire throughout the tool…BAD MOJO. These tools although inexpensive, are more costly in the long run. They will work in a pinch, just not a go to tool.
KPW… although I initially tried and had some good success with the Harbor Freight sander polisher, I later found that they have the cheapest trigger switches known to man. The extra warranties for $10 are the only way to go if you choose to use one of these, and I hope you don’t mind driving to their store when it, more often than not, will stop at some critical moment.
I still have my Milwaukee tools from the 80’s (1800, 3000, & 5500) and a Makita variable that awaits some attention
The same problem (switch) exists with the Chicago (HF) palm router aka lamiante trimmer. After going thru several, I said screw it, l looked on Craigs List and bought a perfect condition, used, Porter Cable for $40.
Some stuff from HF is fine, other stuff isn’t worth the powder to blow it to hell.
Buyer beware.
I ditto my original post on this topic. Except to say I only own Milwaukees and Makitas. If I was just starting out and had limited money I would make due with something less exspensive until I was sure the extra cost of a Milwaukee or Makita etc. was justified and would pay for itself. The extra warranty on any tool is always worth the $10.
Howzit McDing, I love my Makita variable ( not the one with the loop handle)and it is over 14yrs old and I have only had to put new brushes and a new cord on it. When you think about it,it's not the grinder or orbital sander( I own a great 6" Rigid) but it's in the touch you have with you sander for most repairs. I have used my Rigid for blending gloss repair work but other than that it's the Makita that is the workhorse in my shop. I think if I were to buy a second one I would like to try the Hitachi since I have heard some great things about them. I knew Milwuakees are basically the factory standard these days but I have had quite a few builders have themburn out and especially the variable speed burns out. I do't think they are made in the US any more but Makitas are,go figure.Aloha,Kokua
Agreed1 I have had three Milwaukees(still have two) and two Makitas. The switch is always the first thing to go on either. A guy just has to be diligent about blowing them out after every use. I like the "soft start" on the Makita. Both of mine came with the "D" handle. I had a couple of Makita five inch grinders that I was able to take the handle off of and the thread size fit. Very good sanders. Just as pricey as a Milwaukee, lighter weight though. That's a good thing.
Howzit McDing, They didn't even start selling those D handle Makitas when I bought mine but the D handle ones came out a few months after I bought my second one. I think they use a few less amps than mine but not sure, I think mine uses about 7 amps but i'd have to check to make sure. You and I think the sme when it comes to keeping the dust out and I tellpeople to not blow them out when they are running but only when they are stopped,never had a swtch go on the Makitas, I think that is a milwaukee flaw.Aloha,Kokua