Replies

1. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 10, 2001 02:30pm | #1

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   I've been using a Ryobi I got from HD for $39.00. Works well and rather quiet compared to the Porter Cable and DeWalt I looked at.

   Been using it for 7 months with no problems.

   Mike

1. 
   jcallahan | Dec 10, 2001 04:17pm | #2

   *Depends how you define best. I've been happy with my Porter Cable 333. I've had good service from it .......no problems other than the o-rings on the dust canister need replacement. I prefer the hook and loop paper that the 333 uses. If you're looking for aggressive stock removal, I'd look at the Makita first.

1. 
   Ed_Hilton | Dec 10, 2001 05:41pm | #3

   *I have been using a Porter Cable 5" H&L for about 6 years. I don't think it's the 333 but it's not close enough to look at right now; might be a 334. Wore out one velcro pad. The dust collector/muffler won't stay on. Other than that it has been great. Survived severeal falls to the concrete floor with no damage. I found a light-weight white corrugated plastic hose at HD that I can connect to the dust outlet, and then to my shop vac, and it controls the dust very well. Check some of the back issues of FWW or FHB, thee was a report about 2 years ago. THe PC's didn't score at the top in aggressiveness, confirming what jcallahan says, but in practice it's a good tool.

1. 
   Ron_Teti | Dec 10, 2001 05:46pm | #4

   *I own the default, Ive had it for about 6 years. Still using it. had to replace the pad cuz the hook and loop paper was coming loose and replaced the o-ring for the dust cannister. The motor(top part of the ros is coming loose moving a little bit tried tightening it but to no avail. its a good tool but the default service sucks. If I were to buy a new one it would be the pc or makita. But the default is a good tool.

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke_ | Dec 10, 2001 06:10pm | #5

   *I have the 6" DeFault (nice name, : ), Ron) and have been putting it to a lot of hard use lately, otherwise I would characterize my use as more 'hobbyist' than production. It's a little harder to find 6" H & L pads (Woodworker's Supply carries them) in as many flavors as 5" and it's a pretty loud machine - other than that I have no complaints. It has electronic variable speed, but 'slower sanding' hasn't been a high priority so I haven't changed speed settings much.Jeff

2. 
   James_DuHamel | Dec 10, 2001 08:19pm | #6

   *I've got two of the Default 5" ROS. One is variable speed, the other is not. Like Jeff, I have no need to slow it down, so the variable speed is a waste. Been using them both hot and heavy for 6 years now woth no problems. James DuHamel

3. 
   Bill_Richardson | Dec 10, 2001 08:25pm | #7

   *Porter Cable gets my vote, a top notch tool. I have used my ROS contiuously, coarse to fine sanding, for 1 1/2 years now and it is still runnning strong.

4. 
   L._Siders | Dec 10, 2001 11:26pm | #8

   *5" Bosch here.. Does a good job

5. 
   Jason | Dec 11, 2001 12:29am | #9

   *Another vote for the PC 333; I ditched the canister immediately and got a "plumbing" assembly (this little dealy to step down from one size to another using band clamps), at the supplier for a buck and hook it straight to my vac. No problems. And, if you're looking for strange-sized ROS papers, Jeff, try Klingspor. Their catalog is almost an education in itself.

6. 
   allen_schell | Dec 11, 2001 01:27am | #10

   *Been abusing my bosch 5" daily for 7 yrs, replaced the cord once.

7. 
   Keith_C | Dec 11, 2001 01:45am | #11

   *Got the PC 333 and the Bosch 5". PC is better for me. I use the PC as a buffer/waxer for the vehicles and it spends most of it's time in the race shop. Bosch gets the work shop duty.

8. 
   Keith_C | Dec 11, 2001 01:50am | #12

   *By the way, what is "dust control" Don't the rest of you just let it pile up on the floor and sweep it up when you can't find tools when you drop them like me? I did buy one of those Delta units with the drum and big bag(2 stage) and the chute for the Unisaw, and by god one of these years I may even unbox and assemble it.

9. 
   Don_Rogers | Dec 11, 2001 02:05am | #13

   *If best = for pro use then look at the Metabo SX E 450 Duo. This one has taken a hammering in my workshop to the extent that it is now on its 3rd pad. This machine is, however a little on the heavy side for continuous overhead use, being better suited to use at bench height. I do recommend hook up to the vac though as the bags are of limited use, (like outside ;-). A collegue recommends the Festo but after using it I can't see where the extra dollars go. FWIW.Don

10. 
    GACC_DAllas | Dec 11, 2001 03:37am | #14

    *We use the PC PSA (sticky 5" pads) and no dust collection.You have to replace the pad every 3 years or so. Other than that, no problem.Hook and loop paper is WAY to high priced for the amount of paper we go through.My opinion,Ed.(Tip - Let the sander stop turning before you set it down - gives a longer life to the bearings.)

11. 
    r__ignacki | Dec 11, 2001 03:39am | #15

    *on 3rd pc in 5yrs, the sticky one

12. 
    RichMast_ | Dec 11, 2001 04:56am | #16

    *Ditto P-C 5" sticky back (Model 7335). Makes a racket but works great and lasts a long time. Ditto what Ed said about replacing the pad every few years. I have the vacuum hood attachment which I use when needed. Hope this helps. Rich.

13. 
    Ed_Hilton | Dec 11, 2001 05:51am | #17

    *Ed Williams - can you remove and reuse the sticky paper, or do you have to throw it away after each use? One of the reasons (ok, the only reason) I prefer the hook & loop pads is because I can quickly and easily change grits, and save the old one for later use.

14. 
    Shoeman_ | Dec 11, 2001 06:49am | #18

    *Ed, I'm with you on the changing paper. I bought the pressure sensitive adhesive pad PC about 4 years ago for the same reason Edward Williams stated (the hook & loop discs cost way too much). Since I don't do large production with this sander, I found I was peeling off and throwing away good discs to change grit. Finally bought a 5 hole hook and loop pad for it. Much nicer for changing discs and saving the ones that have a lot of life left in them. I also ended up buying an 8 hole DeFault pad because I found a great deal on a few hundered eight hole discs - now I can use any kind of discs on my PC334 with the turning of 3 screws to change the pad. Also got a nice USmilitay Ammo can from Northern tool that holds the sander, all three pads, and a variety of discs very nicely.

15. 
    Frenchy_Dampier | Dec 11, 2001 07:03am | #19

    *I've been happy with my Mikita. it's about two years old and holding up well. I like how quiet it is and how smooth it runs. The fact that I can spend hours with it and not have numb hands is a real bonus...

16. 
    r__ignacki | Dec 17, 2001 01:24am | #20

    *Someone showed me a sticky to H&L conversion pad they got with their ryobi sander, anyone use these?

17. 
    Jay_Honeycutt | Dec 17, 2001 05:39am | #21

    *Gotta go with the default here - 5", H&L. It's loud and the bag is a complete waste of material, but the sander fits my hand perfectly - I can use it all day with no discomfort, though I try to avoid that.Can't see the sticky paper working out so well for many people for the reason listed above, that is, changing grits often means throwing away a perfectly good paper. Does that drive costs up for you, Ed? Or do you use several different sanders w/ different grits? (there's a new tool idea I need to try on my wife)

18. 
    Luka_ | Dec 17, 2001 05:43am | #22

    *As long as you are careful taking the paper off, you can use weatherstrip adhesive or even contact adhesive for countertops, to re-glue the sheet to the sander the next time.

19. 
    bear313 | Dec 17, 2001 06:10am | #23

    *I can't believe more of you don't use the 5" Bosch--it's a really nice running machine and works day in and day out without a hitch; H and L paper seems to wear better than PSA, too. The only fault is that the disc sometimes loosens up, makes an awful sound and I retighten it for another month or so.

20. 
    Greg_Brown | Dec 17, 2001 11:45am | #24

    *I run a couple of the sticky back PC sanders- 1 for 220 & 1 for 150 grit- I demoed a Fien at one of the woodworking shows-it has a switch for how aggressive it sands-beared down on it & felt like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when he was buffing a car, set the buffer on the car,it sent him running after it...If money wasn't a factor...($500 at tool crib)

21. 
    Daniel_Dunn | Dec 17, 2001 03:46pm | #25

    *I run the mikita. after six or seven years of hard use it died, went to bosch nice tool but it died after about two years, went back to mikita. Daniel

22. 
    Adrian_Wilson | Dec 17, 2001 04:19pm | #26

    *I hate the PC; used to have a bunch in the shutter company I was with (lots of sanding).....they were always in the repair shop, right alongside the PC's from every other shop in town. Moved to Dewalt, much better tool. Now, in the school shop, I have another bunch of junky PC's, and two Dewalts. They're always the first choice of the students. New electric ones will probably be Metabos though. And for full out professional shop use, there's always air driven Dynabrades (ooooohhhhhh).I definitely prefer H/L; no more expensive in the long run, once you factor in throwing away discs that aren't completely used, or having to have a bunch of sanders each dedicated to one grit. And after running both types side by side, in my opinion you get a better job from the H/L, which is what's important to me.

23. 
    Dick | Dec 17, 2001 08:56pm | #27

    *Have a Bosch 5" v.s. and a 5" Makita. Bosch works well, but backing pad hooks wear out fairly quickly and pad has to be replaced fairly often. I like the Makita better, light, strong and durable and really low vibration. If I could, I`d dump the Bosch in favour of another Makita.

24. 
    Brent_Weir | Dec 19, 2001 10:01am | #28

    *A little off the subject here, but I had a Makita 1/4 sheet palm sander that was H&L and bought a ton of paper for it. Lover the tool, but it "Disappeared" a while back. I think a friend borrowed it. ("Hey, I bet my friend Brent the Contractor has a sander I can borrow....)Can't find a replacement. Is this tool out of production?BRENT

2. 
   Ray_Fiore_P.E. | Dec 19, 2001 10:01am | #29

   *
   What's the best random-orbit sander you have used lately? I'm in the market for the field tested BEST. Pros / cons would be appreciated.