peter <[email protected]> wrote
> Belt sanders and ROSs sometimes overlap in their uses but are
> not completely interchangable. They are two different machines for
> two different uses.
ACK.
> If you expect a ROS to take material off with the same speed
> as a belt sander, you will be disappointed. If you expect a belt
> sander to do as smooth of a job as a ROS you will be disappointed.
There's this Festool Rotex 6" ROS which combines preliminary sander,
fine sander and polisher. I never used it but it gets excellent
comments, for example
http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=325
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fest-14.htm
> BTW, a good 6" ROS will require two hands most of the time
> also.
I have a Festool ES 150/3 6" ROS and use it with one hand all the
time. It's an great tool!
Feel free to contact me for any specifics.
Regards,
Christian
On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:00:46 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>My biggest problem with belt sanders is their weight and their need for two
>hands. I've never used a 6 inch orbital sander but they look like they
>might be a good choice to replace the belt sander.
>Anyone using these big orbitals?
I use one. I have had good experience with it. The
experience you have will depend on what you're using it for.
Belt sanders and ROSs sometimes overlap in their uses but are
not completely interchangable. They are two different machines for
two different uses.
If you expect a ROS to take material off with the same speed
as a belt sander, you will be disappointed. If you expect a belt
sander to do as smooth of a job as a ROS you will be disappointed.
To get a better answer to your question, you need to tell us
what jobs you want the sander to do.
BTW, a good 6" ROS will require two hands most of the time
also.
Peter
On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:00:46 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>My biggest problem with belt sanders is their weight and their need for two
>hands. I've never used a 6 inch orbital sander but they look like they
>might be a good choice to replace the belt sander.
>Anyone using these big orbitals?
An orbital can not really replace a belt sander. An orbital sander is
closer to a finishing sander than a belt sander. I don't see any
hand-held machine that can replace a belt sander--sometimes you just
absolutely NEED a belt sander. Belt sanders usually require two hands
on for best control. The weight is acutally a good thing--it helps
with the sanding.
On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 23:02:16 GMT, Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:00:46 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>>
>>My biggest problem with belt sanders is their weight and their need for two
>>hands. I've never used a 6 inch orbital sander but they look like they
>>might be a good choice to replace the belt sander.
>>Anyone using these big orbitals?
>
>An orbital can not really replace a belt sander. An orbital sander is
>closer to a finishing sander than a belt sander. I don't see any
>hand-held machine that can replace a belt sander--sometimes you just
>absolutely NEED a belt sander. Belt sanders usually require two hands
>on for best control. The weight is acutally a good thing--it helps
>with the sanding.
I don't know. I have one of the larger Porter Cable right angle type
orbitals that takes either 5" or 6" disks, depending on the pad and
counterweight currently mounted. Don't have any idea of the model
number, as I'm not close to the tool, but it was well over $100 some
years back.
I have used it quite a bit for renovation projects on my old house.
Used it sand old oak hardwood floors, first in a 10'x4' closest, and
more recently in a 6'x6' bathroom. Both spots were a bit too small for
a typical drum type floor sander, but the PC orbital did the trip.
Used custom cut, blue zirconia 36 grit disks, that I made up from some
belt stock bought from a local abrasives vendor. Turned the sander up
to its max setting, screwed in the helper handle on the side, and
really leaned into the job. Worked like a charm, although I received a
full workout in the process. Then, worked up through 50, 80 and 120
self adhesive disks before starting finishing. For the smaller
bathroom, I did try my recently purchased Porter 3x21 belt sander, but
found the belt clogged up too quickly from the old finish. The orbital
was far quicker in this application.
Have also used the PC orbital outside to feather old paint on my
siding clapboards. It has taken every bit of abuse that I can dish out
and has never complained. Wish all tools were this good. On the
downside, there is no provision for dust collection. Either wear a
mask or go into respiratory distress. ;-)
Uh yeah, I occasionally use it for fine finishing work.
David Glos