Sanders Now

The three best random orbital sanders are Festool, Bosch and, Porter-Cable. All three are produced by some of the oldest manufacturing companies in this business and are known for their respective innovations. These makes are durable and the results they give are simply incomparable while their designs and operation gives due consideration to the comfort and strain of the operator.

ETS 125 EQ random orbit sander from Festool is a striking and highly successful sanding machine. The quality of output delivered by this small machine would amaze any woodworker. Look at its weight of just 2.4 pounds! That kind of a lightweight machine enables convenient effortless approach to sanding job from any angle in any position. Even working in vertical plane or overhead work is not strenuous any more while the results continue to be as smooth ever. It has a sanding stroke of 5/64” or 2.0mm, which gives equally smooth results for pre-sanding and finishing assignments. A highly effective dust extraction system keeps the operation clean to deliver smooth and clean surfaces. The precise design of the extractor offers a concentrated stream of air that is instrumental in increasing the life of pads, abrasives, and the tool itself while it continues to provide flawless smoother finishes to the job. It’s a very well balanced machine that has low vibration, thus ensuring smooth operation and smoother finishes. There’s provision for speed control and a fast break stop that gives a very convenient hold over the machine at any position of use. Having handled this tool once, any workman will find it difficult to shift to another tool.

Bosch’s 3725DEVS random orbit sander/polisher on the other hand is a multipurpose power tool that out performs any of its competitors. The pad of this sander simultaneously rotates and orbits, very much like the motion of a human hand while it is sanding any object. So, you get a surface that’s perfectly finished. It comes with a powerful motor with variable speed control that enables speed adjustment from 4,5000 to 12,00OPM to suit any desired speed as demanded by the job at hand. It’s smooth and powerful operation makes it best suited for any kind of finish, fine or delicate and for aggressive removal of material from the work piece. Its gear housing is cased in aluminum die-cast and the dual mounting pad makes it very long lasting and causes very low vibrations when under operation. 3725DEVS includes a through-the-pad dust extraction system that sucks away the dust and trashes from the surface of the work piece, thus enhancing its finish and simultaneously increase the life of tool and accessory. This is a very comfortable tool to work with and its front may be detached conveniently to approach corners and narrow spaces for better quality of sanding.

Now, have a look at Porter-Cable’s 390K (5″). Here’s a handsome low profile orbit sander that offers versatility for a number of applications. It perfectly maintains balance of power, speed and control enabling craftsman to perform and deliver impressive results on the most aggressive or the most intricate subjects with equal ease. The 3.5 Amp motor incorporates EnduraTech technology that very significantly extends the life of the tool while ensuring best possible performance. Its low profile design allows the body of the sander to approach the work piece from very close quarters to give an exceptionally smooth finish while enabling the operator to have a better control and contact. The speed may be varied from 7,000 – 12,000 OPM to remove a variety of materials at the most optimum rate and maintaining the uniformity of finish over and over again. The provision of a mechanical brake pad causes a great reduction of spin-down time and ensures to remove the gouge factor from any assignment. A very effective dust collection system, extra-smooth finishes and ergonomic design make this sander a wonderful tool.

Every craftsman should endeavor working on these random orbital sanders. These models not only offer a smooth comfortable operation but also succeed in consistently delivering results that are par excellence and sure to impress and delight the user time and again.