97 Re: Random Orbit sander
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 5, by multiple authors.
97 Re: Random Orbit sander
From: avery@attdso.att.com (Bob Avery)
Date: 20 Dec 90 14:20:28 GMT
In article <1990Dec19.074834.21825@bellcore.bellcore.com> jchen@flash.UUCP (Jason Chen) writes:
>Being tired of using a Makita palm sander to sand 4x8s, I decided to treat
>myself a decent finish sander for Xmas.
>
stuff deleted
.......................................................... According to the
>manufacturers, this breed can do swift rough sanding (like a belt sander)
>as well as finish sanding (like a 1/2 sheet sander).
>
>However, I am very skeptical about this claim.
Me too! I can accept the finish sanding claim, but I have doubts about
the "swift rough sanding like a belt sander". I would think that the larger
surface area of the belt would provide more "mileage" before loading with
sawdust. The real advantage of the belt comes, I suspect, when it loads up
in that it can be quickly renewed by hitting it with a belt cleaning stick
[those rubbery eraser like things]. Belt sanding works so well for me when
cleaning glued-up work or getting rid of planing blade marks from new stock
that I can't imagine an improvement. Perhaps the real advantage comes from
eliminating the potential of making ridges in the workpiece by pausing with the belt. I've had this happen, but not recently. I think I've minimized this
problem by using 120 grit belts and probably just experience using the tool.
I work hard woods almost exclusively which probably helps also.
Although I have a 1/3 sheet sander I don't use it much. The surface after the
120 grit belt is so smooth that I go directly to 150 grit with a palm sander.
I'd use the larger sander however if the surface area was big, like a table top.
To me, the palm sander is just more comfortable to use, so I do so almost
all the time without thinking about it.
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