5" ROS upgrade - recommendations

Ollie wrote:
>
...
> ...The question is if the
> extra features are worth of the extra mula.
...
Personally, I don't think so...I use the PC 333/334's (one's for H&L,
the PS, but I forget which is which just now). They last a long time
even being abused and are cheap enough to be simply discarded. There's
nothing else that has the hand comfort and balance as far as I'm
concerned. I've tried the Ryobi, Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee and none are
nearly as nice to use.

We've gone through two in the last year, but in that time we've rough
and finished sanding every square inch of a 80-year old severely
weathered 38x66x14 (to the bottom eave, 38 ft to the top of the loft)
barn in preparation for priming and painting. Plus, all the finish
lumber, and the first one was several years old before we even started.
Replaced one set of bearings in each at ~$5/bearing from the local
bearing distributor and one died from a broken winding (after being
dropped off the lift I have no idea how many times by the hired hand).
W/ that kind of abuse, the plastic dust collector gets worn and vibrates
some which a little bit of an annoyance for fine sanding, but no issue
from an operational standpoint.

Replaced a pad on each and went to PS exclusively because of paper
cost. I do <not> like the new "brake" on the pad on them nor any of the
others. It is simply a "do-nothing" o-ring placed like a belt around
the drive shaft and a fixed(!) internal post. It's to stop the pad for
the whiners who complain about scuffing or the run on if set it down
before it stops but the first of those problems is solved by just
picking it up cleanly and the second isn't really a problem to me. What
the brake actually is is a terrible heat generator that contributes to
hot hands holding it for extended periods and bearing failure.

I personally have never felt a need for the variable speed on a ROS but
acknowledge others could find some use for that particular feature.

IMO, YMMV, $0.02, etc...

On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 00:58:39 -0500, "Ollie"
<[email protected]> calmly ranted:

>I have fixed speed Dewalt 5" Random Orbit Sander. It has been serving me
>well over the past years, but I feel that I am using it "too much" and ther
>must be some better tools available. A Random Orbit Polisher would be nice
>for the finishing jobs. A combined ROS/ROP would be a nice solution. All
>coments and recommendations for the following three models are very welcome.
>
>1. PC 7424, http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi/portercable/7424
> $115 at ToolBarn, 3.7 A, 6", 5 3/4 lbs

But will it handle the dust of sanding? Check with PC before purchase.
Are you sure you want a right-angle sander?


>2. PC 7228, http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi/portercable/7428
> $169 at ToolBarn, 10 A, 7", 8 lbs

Not a random orbit sander. 7336?


>3. Bosch 1250DEVS, http://www.internationaltool.com/bosch1250devs.htm
> $205 at International Tool Corporation, 6.5 A, 6", 6 lbs
>
>On paper, the Bosch seems to be the dream machine. The question is if the
>extra features are worth of the extra mula.

That's "moolah" and Bosch always seems to be worth the money. Why
not try the Bosch 3727DEVS 6" Random Orbit Variable-Speed Dustless
Sander/Polisher at $144 from Amazon.com? I believe the difference
is in the locking to remove the ROS for straight orbital use, but
you wouldn't use that on wood for furniture.

Here are some reviews:
http://www.woodworking2.org/ToolSurvey/Portables/Randomsanders/search.htm

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"Ollie" writes:

> On paper, the Bosch seems to be the dream machine. The question is if the
> extra features are worth of the extra mula.

You are a victim of the present exchange rate against the Euro.

I have a 6" Bosch ROS that I have beat the crap out of over the last 5-6
years, and like Timex, it just keeps ticking.

Yes, Bosch is worth the money, IMHO.

HTH

Lew

when my bosch was stolen i replaced it with a dewalt. when the dewalt dies i
will replace it with a bosch.
the dewalt is more like a toy the bosch is more like a tool.

jim

In article <[email protected]>,
igor <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 06:34:22 GMT, "Lew Hodgett"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Ollie" writes:
> >
> >> On paper, the Bosch seems to be the dream machine. The question is if the
> >> extra features are worth of the extra mula.
> >
> >You are a victim of the present exchange rate against the Euro.
> >
> Wow, you must be right. OP listed the Bosch price at $205. Eleven hours
> later at the link he gave it is $229.99.

Rrrrrridgid has a cpl of nice ROS sanders. I swear by the R2610. Best
bang for the buck IMHO. (Pssst German made Metabo)

But because you can buy a Festool ETS 150/3 (or 5) EQ for $235.00, why
stop at the Bosch?
$155.00 buys the Festool ES 125 EQ, definitly worth a look.

I am NOT affiliated with Festool...I just admire their no-nonsense
approach to design for the pros.

Rob

"Common sense is not common"
(Voltaire)

On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 06:34:22 GMT, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Ollie" writes:
>
>> On paper, the Bosch seems to be the dream machine. The question is if the
>> extra features are worth of the extra mula.
>
>You are a victim of the present exchange rate against the Euro.
>
Wow, you must be right. OP listed the Bosch price at $205. Eleven hours
later at the link he gave it is $229.99.