sander/polisher

General Discussion
1
If you could only afford one in your toolbox, what brand ?
2

Only one…Milwaukee

Trust me on this one. I didn’t listen and went through a half dozen cheaper ones.

The moment I fired up my first Milwaukee…I realized why it is the industry standard.

Now I have 2, and I haven’t been able to bring myself to even pick up the cheap one.

Just my 1.874 cents

3

My makita was $380 over ten years ago and refuses to die. Might not be the best brand anymore though.

4

I’ll second Todd’s nomination. Milwaukee. My first was a Harbor Freight POS. I knew better but the $25 price was to tempting for me as a beginner. It crapped out really fast and never worked that well when it was running. I bought a used Milwaukee for $80 and love it. Runs smooth, its got torque up the wazoo and its a US company (if that matters). Also don’t feel like you have to buy one new. I find used ones all over the place especially in pawn shops and any power tool repair shop has parts for them if needed.

5

rupes

6

Amen to that! I got my first one for around $80 and loved it so much I bought one of those new “factory reconditioned” ones.

Don’t make the same mistake spud and I did.

7

Makita does it for me and has for 40 years! Much lighter and easier to handle than a Milwaukee and they never seem to die! That is not to say the Milwaukee is not a good machine just prefer the feel of the Makita.

8

Just on the sander/polisher question and only my view.Have done alot of sanding over the years and my preference would be a Rupes for sanding and Makita for polishing.I know that’s two but work out what you are doing most of.Sanding wins.Rupes are a heavier machine irrespective of speed.INMHO, they sit better on the surface and follow the contours as required.The makita is heaps lighter and I feel tends to bounce over the surface more.Don’t get me wrong,I have three makitas.Good tools.You just have to push the head of the sander somewhat to achieve the same result.They still sand great.Makita,I think is cheaper but this is not always the answer.I spose at the end of the day,if you are doin’ a lot of boards go the rupes for sanding.If only 1 or 2 makita is the one .

Regards

Steve Rice

9

I bought a variable speed Porter Cable sander polisher a year or so ago to replace my stolen “ol’ faithful” Milwaukee. It’s been a great buy, it not only has a speed control dial, but the trigger allows you to maintain as low or high an RPM as the speed setting is on. You can have the adjustment dial on 6000 but run it at 1000 RPM with a light touch on the trigger. However, I still miss my Milwaukee!

10

Well…I have not tried the Makita. I do have a Makita grinder that is awesome!

I haven’t seen a variable speed Makita. What’s the model?

Hey Vern…guys like hand shaper have a hell of a lot more experience than I do.

I went with Milwaukee because a bunch of other guys I know in the industry recommended it.

I guess the big thing is…go with a “name brand” ie: Milwaukee, Makita, Porter Cable etc.

Just look for certain characteristics…high amp rating: 11-13 is really good, variable speed is a big plus, stuff like that

Hope that helps

11

Aloha Todd:

They have a number of different models largely depending on what type of side handle or included accessories are part of the deal.

The one I have I believe is a Makita 9227CY that comes with a side handle instead of a wrap around handle.

These are variable speed machines from 600 - 3000 RPM. Wonderful tools especially for foiling fins

12

…Makita s made in Japan are superior than Milwaukee

Makita s made in Brazil are not superior than Milwaukee but still handles right like the Japanese ones