Shopsmith Forums

I have made do for many years with a small Craftsman vibrating palm sander. I have a project coming up that is going to require more sanding than I am willing to do with that sander. It works great until it is time to change paper. Here is a changeover that makes the Shopsmith a piece of cake.

I am looking for advise but please do not tell me to go get a Festool or anything else in that price category. A reasonably priced random orbital that is easy to change paper on.

I am especially interested in WARNINGS. Like whatever you do don't buy XXXXX.

Dusty: I had one of those crafstsman shakers....... hand would be numb in a few minutes. then changeing the paper was a terrible job.

A bearing finally went out a couple of years ago.... Bought this one for $69.00 at HD.

velcro paper works slick.... Rigged up an old vac hose for dust collection..
dust collection works really good with this. it comes with a little bag for dust but, that is so,so.........it is also variable speed...........

when it is done buy another one for that low a price............[ATTACH]18116[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]18117[/ATTACH]

Dusty;
I am partial to the DeWalt line of tools. I have the DW621 Random orbit sander and I am happy with it. It is suitable, I think, for all but the most critical of finishes. It has a dust collector vacuum port as well as a bag for the dust and uses velcro backed paper.
I also have the DeWalt biscuit joiner, a fixed base router, a plunge router and the 12" miter saw as well as the 18 volt drill. I like 'em all.
Bill V

Dusty, I was given a Craftsman random orbital sander as a gift, and other that the switch being in an difficult location, I have been surprised by the utility if the thing. I have not used it a lot, so I can't comment on durability, but so far it has held up. Dust collection with the bag is fair, and with the shopvac on it it works pretty well. velco fasteners work nice, disks are readily available, it is fairly quiet and does not bother my hands. I don't think I would have bought this, But as I said I am surprised by it so far. My old B&D palm buzzer is still alive and working, but it is loud and numbs my hands in 10 seconds, so anything was going to be better that that.

I have a Porter Cable 5" RO, hook & Loop and have used it extensively (poor woodworking requires lots of sanding) and have been pleased with durability and performance.

I'm partial to Porter Cable model 333 sanders, but these are out of production. I expect the newer versions work just as well. Never found much use for the variable speed models. I also have a Porter Cable model that looks like an angle grinder and while it is powerful, it is awkward to use. I've never had a problem with swirl marks with the 333 if I start sanding with 100 grit disks. When starting with 60 grit, you need to look closely with a raking light after using the 100 grit disks to ensure you've sanded away the swirls left by the 60 grit. I also like Mirka sanding disks.

Porter Cable also makes quality finish pad sanders. The Speed Bloc quarter sheet 330 is virtually vibration free, as is the half sheet model 505. I don't know if the latter is still in production. Price wise, the 505 ranks with a Festool.

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I have been using a Porter Cable Model 340 1/4 sheet palm sander for about 10 years on some pretty heavy work, and it is the best buy and best running of all the small finishing sanders I have used. Most comfortable to run. I use a Milwalkie belt sander to finish shape oak cabinet wood and smooth down 3/4" oak boards jointed together and then do all my finish work with the Porter Cable 340. Easy to cut up sheets of sandpaper and easy to clip on the sander. Switch is easy to handle. And it puts out a lot of power compared to a lot of other larger sanders. And power and smooth operation gets the job done. And its made in the USA!

Dusty-

I bought a new B&D Mouse sander which serves me well. It has built in dust collection and does a fine job. I picked mine up at the local Do It Best hardware store for around $40.

BPR

I have a 5" Rigid RO and a PC 1/4 sheet finish sander. Two sanders for two jobs.
Although I seldom use the PC because the Rigid does such a good job.
The velcro pad on mine was worthless. But, the sticky paper works with the non velcro pad.
I'd go with the Rigid.