Sam777 Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Hi all, I have been reading a LOT of reviews on these 2 sanders: Dewalt & Makita. They both have variable speed features which I understand is needed for fret work mainly due to the ability to slow the sanding speed down. I have never had an orbital sander. Would you please give me a little advice so I don't buy something I get stuck with? I figure If I have not needed an orbital sander before, I don't see myself getting any more powerful sanders than these. Reviews for the Dewalt are great except most of the reviewers didn't like the fact that Dewalt's vac connection is proprietary and a regular vac hose did not fit. Reviews for the Makita are even better except almost all reviewers complained about the dust bag blowing off by itself and making a mess. Here are 2 links to the 2 sanders I am considering: Sorry for the long explanation. I appreciate your comments if you have any of these. Thank you all DEWALT at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWE6423K-Variable-Random-Sander/dp/B00ZTPCLZ8 MAKITA at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO5031K-5-Inch-Random-Sander/dp/B002FJYE0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1485832704&sr=1-1&keywords=BO5031K Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I have a DeWalt and no regrets I have replaced the hook and loop pad on mine and is was economical. Would not change it for anything. Very dependable and easy to control . Not sure if this is what you are after but this is my opinion and experience. Definitely would recommend this tool. Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Sam, my random orbital sander touches every project I do. The trick is to sand your blank to finish grit before you apply your pattern and cut. Then when done cutting, I touch up with a folded piece of the same grit I sanded to, usually 220 grit. I rarely use the ROS on delicate fret work. I can't speak for either of the models you are looking at as I have not used them. I own two Porter Cable 333's. One is hooked up to my Dust Deputy and Shop Vac. The other I have had as a spare for when my primary dies as they are not made anymore. It's been waiting for at least 10 years! Lucky2 and Birchbark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I have a DeWalt and no regrets I have replaced the hook and loop pad on mine and is was economical. Would not change it for anything. Very dependable and easy to control . Not sure if this is what you are after but this is my opinion and experience. Definitely would recommend this tool. Wayne, Thank you for the comment. I think I will go with the Dewalt. I appreciate your reply. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Sam, my random orbital sander touches every project I do. The trick is to sand your blank to finish grit before you apply your pattern and cut. Then when done cutting, I touch up with a folded piece of the same grit I sanded to, usually 220 grit. I rarely use the ROS on delicate fret work. I can't speak for either of the models you are looking at as I have not used them. I own two Porter Cable 333's. One is hooked up to my Dust Deputy and Shop Vac. The other I have had as a spare for when my primary dies as they are not made anymore. It's been waiting for at least 10 years! Thank you Dan, Do you sand the blanks even the BB plywood before you apply patterns? Thank you for your reply. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Without question this is the best sander I ever used and will ever use. It is my do everything sander and I have a lot of sanders. But always go to this one. Easy to buy paper for and change it. I do not worry about dust because I either sand out doors mostly or use a down draft table if doing indoors. All those sander with the holes to me are useless. You still get dust in the air. My 2 cents. www.rockler.com/porter-cable-speed-bloc-quarter-sheet-finishing-sander-330?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20Top%20Sellers&utm_content=pow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Well not to sound like an oddball,(Believe me I have been called worse) I use a Black,Decker,When I was cutting thicker wood.It was single speed.worked Great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimErn Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I'll be the second oddball, I use a battery operated Ryobi. I have had really good dependable tools from Ryobi (knock wood) I also Finnish sand the blank before applying the pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don in brooklin on Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I have a Dewalt. Not sure if the same model but when I take the dust bag off my old shop vac fits right on. We have the Makita at the club and they are great too. You can buy dust port hoses for this too. You can't go wrong with either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I use a harbor freight special and it works well for what I use it for. Just need to ensure that you have a vac for it. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Looks like you have decided on the Dewalt Sam, Just going to say that I own both tool brands ans do not think you can go wrong with either one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Like Dan, I use my ROS on every project I make. I'm currently using a Ridgid for most of my routine ROS needs. I like it most, because the shop vac hose connects directly. I have a Milwaukee that is a good sander, but I have to use an adapter to make the shop vac hose fit, so I tend not to use it as much. Variable speed is fine, but I don't use it all that much. I could probably live without it. I don't use the ROS after I've cut the fretwork. I sand the blanks first, then just go over the cut project, lightly by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 What is the advantage of an orbit sander over a palm sander? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 What is the advantage of an orbit sander over a palm sander? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I think a random orbit sander leaves fewer sanding scratches, while being more aggressive. I think you will get better dust collection with a ROS as well. For years, all I had was a basic 1/4 sheet palm sander. I was always frustrated at the swirled scratches it left behind, requiring me to do a lot of hand sanding to get a clean finish. Several years ago, I was helping my brother build his kitchen cabinets. We were sanding panels for the cabinet sides and he was using a ROS and I had my palm sander. I had never used a ROS before and was amazed at how much faster and smoother it was compared to my 1/4 sheet palm sander. Granted, the sander I had was maybe not the highest quality, but I was convinced I needed to go a different direction. I immediately went out and bought a Porter-Cable ROS and I almost never use my 1/4 sheet sander anymore. I wore that sander out and currently have 3 different ones in my shop now. I suppose a 1/4 sheet palm sander has it's place, but I find very little use for mine anymore. Sometimes I use it on contours and edges, because it's a little easier to control in those applications, but for flat work, all I use is the ROS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I use a mouse to sand the pattern side before gluing the pattern on. than after the sawing is done I use it on the reverse side and it does a good job, Ido theis on all projects including fret work. IKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I have a DeWalt and no problem with it. But I also thing Mikitas are good tools. The price is the same, so maybe it is down to whether you prefer blue or yellow.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 (edited) Here is a great link explaining the different sanders capabilities. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/a3118/know-your-power-sanders-and-how-to-use-them-13314160/ I agree with Bill on the palm sanders. I have a couple of Makitas that have not been used in years. From my experience RO sanders leave no swirl marks. I wish I would have jumped on the $55 Festool sale that was going on for a while. Right now I have a $5 yard sale Ryoby 4-1/2 inch RO. It is OK but the dust collection sucks. I used to pre sand all of my wood with it until I bought a Sand flee, and that has now been replaced by a Supermax drum sander. I really like dewalt tools but dust collection and ease of hookup to a vacuum is important to me in my basement shop. Edited January 31, 2017 by Rolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Thank you Dan, Do you sand the blanks even the BB plywood before you apply patterns? Thank you for your reply. Sam Yes, even BB. Since it is already sanded, I only have to touch up by hand the fuzzies with the same grit sand paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Here is a great link explaining the different sanders capabilities. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/a3118/know-your-power-sanders-and-how-to-use-them-13314160/ I agree with Bill on the palm sanders. I have a couple of Makitas that have not been used in years. From my experience RO sanders leave no swirl marks. I wish I would have jumped on the $55 Festool sale that was going on for a while. Right now I have a $5 yard sale Ryoby 4-1/2 inch RO. It is OK but the dust collection sucks. I used to pre sand all of my wood with it until I bought a Sand flee, and that has now been replaced by a Supermax drum sander. I really like dewalt tools but dust collection and ease of hookup to a vacuum is important to me in my basement shop. Lucky you! I would love to have a drum sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Thanks Rolf & Bill. My palm sander is about used up. So now I'm in same shape as Sam77 lol. Always good to shop for tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 (edited) I have a Makita palm sander. It doesn't have any type of vac or bag attachment but I don't think it needs it. Mine is close to 30 years old and still works like the day I bought it. It is one speed I believe around 12,000 orbits. It looks like this one. I use it on all of my fretwork. Edited January 31, 2017 by Sparkey SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Looks like you have decided on the Dewalt Sam, Just going to say that I own both tool brands ans do not think you can go wrong with either one.No I am still thinking of the Makita too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Any orbital sander will work Sam. It's a matter of preference and budget in mind. Majority of them are made in China and chances are from the same factory with a different name and casing. I happen to use a Makitta but have used Craftsman as well. No difference other than price. I hook mine up to a shop vac being I find the dust bag useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandaideman Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I have a dewalt I bought a few years ago referbished at Rockler and have no regrets. Like Wayne I have replaced the pad was very easy and reasonable cost. My shop vac hooks in to the sander with out trouble. There was a bag on it not sure how long it lasted before tearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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