Any recommendations for a sander?

[Jeremy]

My trusty, but ancient (around 30 year old) 1/2 sheet finishing sander ended it's life with some sparks and a bang yesterday, so I'm looking around for a replacement.  It doesn't get enough use to be worth spending an arm and a leg on, but will be used primarily on nasty stuff like epoxy.

Technology seems to have moved on a fair bit since the time that my old orbital sander was made, and the choice now seems pretty wide.

Has anyone got any recommendations (or perhaps condemnations) please?  It needs to be a large area jobbie, as I already have a small triangular detail sander.

[Tomsk]

Regardless of type of sander, I can heartily recommend the products (and backup) from Axminster Power Tools. I use many of their own brand wood working machines as well as hand tools and find them excellent for the price bracket.

Tom

On Apr 13, 2012 5:27 PM, "Jeremy [via UK HBBR Forum]" <[hidden email]> wrote:

My trusty, but ancient (around 30 year old) 1/2 sheet finishing sander ended it's life with some sparks and a bang yesterday, so I'm looking around for a replacement.  It doesn't get enough use to be worth spending an arm and a leg on, but will be used primarily on nasty stuff like epoxy.

Technology seems to have moved on a fair bit since the time that my old orbital sander was made, and the choice now seems pretty wide.

Has anyone got any recommendations (or perhaps condemnations) please?  It needs to be a large area jobbie, as I already have a small triangular detail sander.

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NAML

[Timmo]

For sanding epoxy I find nothing beats a random orbital sander (connected to a vacuum cleaner.) The random rotating orbital action really does the business. I rarely get my 1/2 sheet orbital out these days. I'm a fan of Bosch and Metabo, got a 125mm Bosch which sits nicely in the hand but the 150mm Metabo (which has two settings, fast removal and fine action) is the job for bigger areas. That one did a great job on the decks of a couple of canoes. Axminster also do random orbital models that perform the same I'm sure.

Downside is that they require velcro backed sanding disks. I bought in bulk some time a go and have long since forgotten the cost but continue to appreciate their convenience.

Tim.

On 13 Apr 2012, at 17:27, Jeremy [via UK HBBR Forum] wrote:

Has anyone got any recommendations (or perhaps condemnations) please?  It needs to be a large area jobbie, as I already have a small triangular detail sander.

[Paul H (admin)]

I bought a heavy duty 450W half-sheet orbital sander from Wickes decades ago, its rock solid with a thick aluminium base, strips paint in seconds and rounds off long edges of wood efficiently, almost as good as a router. Spring clips hold the sandpaper and there is punch for the extraction holes.  It strips the high spots on wood/epoxy very quickly and gives a very flat finish - excellent for large areas like doors.

I have a Makita palm sander but its a toy by comparison and rarely gets used because the bigger model does the job quicker and better.

My model does not seem to exist any more but I would consider a Bosch model, 300W upwards:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-bosch-gss-280-ae-sander-prod22245/
http://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/ocs/tools/101287/orbital-sanders/

Extraction is really important.

-Paul

[Jeremy]

Thanks folks, the help and advice is much appreciated.  I had wondered about the velcro backed ones being, perhaps, a bit expensive to run, but having just looked at prices and done a few rough sums I doubt there's much in it between them and the clamp-on ones.

The one that's just died was a big cast alloy 110 V  Black and Decker one (they don't make them like that any more, for sure), that I acquired second hand around 25 years ago.  I'm leaning towards a random orbital, as I suspect the shape might make it easier to use.  Some of these seem to have built in dust extraction, which sounds handy, as it's always a bit of a nuisance having a vacuum cleaner hose trailing around.

[Port-Na-Storm]

Hi,
I had a Black and Decker quarter sheet palm sander I bought in Scotland, so pre-1986, to sand my granny's drawers. It was one of their black Pro range and was brilliant. I still had it when I was building "Caitlin", twenty odd years later. When it finally packed in I replaced it with a Bosch orbital sander costing around £80 which didn't even last one boat, although of course it did manage to last through its warranty period.
I replaced that with a cheap MacAllister orbital from Wicks. I think it cost about £30 two or three years ago. It is mighty powerful, you really have to start it up slowly and build the speed up or you'll gouge grooves in the ply.  It uses velcro discs which are brilliant and can be changed in a jiffy. I get mine from Screwfix, much cheaper than DIY outlets.

I hook up a vacuum cleaner unless its a tiny job, passive dust collection really doesn't do it when you've got a whole boat to do.

[Jeremy]

Thankjs Graham, maybe a cheapie like this is all I really need.  It's tempting to go for something like a Makita (I do happen to like Makita stuff), but the price differential, plus the limited use it'll get, makes something like that Wickes bargain buy attractive.  I could afford another gallon or two of epoxy for the difference in price between that one and the Makita!

[Paul H (admin)]

Port-Na-Storm wrote

.... I replaced it with a Bosch orbital sander costing around £80 which didn't even last one boat, although of course it did manage to last through its warranty period.

Graham,

Was the Bosch green (DIY) or blue (Professional)? The green DIY models are built to a price and probably not rated for the work we do.

I've got a Professional Bosch SDS hammer drill and its built like a tank, drilling into 1930s engineering bricks with ease.

On the subject of Bosch Professional tools, here is a pic of Chris Waite's jigsaw - I've used it and its an excellent bit of kit cutting accurately and smoothly with minimal vibration. They don't make this model anymore but I will buy the latest when I replace some kitchen worktops soon.



The "120" is the depth of cut in wood - yes you can cut 4in thick with a Bosch Pro jigsaw.



A Bosch Pro jigsaw looks like it can do some band saw jos, but a lot more portable! And it cuts metal!


Jeremy - I've never regretted buying top quality tools, but I've broken a collection of cheapies which become frustrating to use when they start to wear out.

-Paul

[simplesimon]

Jeremy wrote

Thanks folks, the help and advice is much appreciated.  I had wondered about the velcro backed ones being, perhaps, a bit expensive to run, but having just looked at prices and done a few rough sums I doubt there's much in it between them and the clamp-on ones.

Only snag to the velcro ones (if you use the tool a lot) is that you cannot just buy a roll of paper (much cheaper per sq ft). You have to buy the special sheets.

(BTW you can buy jigs to make the holes in plain sheets)

Simon

[Tomsk]

I have a Wickes belts sander and an Axminster own brand random orbitol.  Though not a scratch on the overall build quality of Makita and Bosch (pro models) power tools of which I have a couple, I will vouch for both of them for domestic boat building.  Axminster occasionally have good deals on packs of sanding discs too....

Tom

On 14 April 2012 10:56, Jeremy [via UK HBBR Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Thankjs Graham, maybe a cheapie like this is all I really need.  It's tempting to go for something like a Makita (I do happen to like Makita stuff), but the price differential, plus the limited use it'll get, makes something like that Wickes bargain buy attractive.  I could afford another gallon or two of epoxy for the difference in price between that one and the Makita!

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NAML

[Port-Na-Storm]

If I was using the thing day in day out like a professional I would agree, but Im struggling to justify buying something like this

Bosch

when I could get this at a quarter of the price.

MacAllister

I know the quality won't be the same but if it does the job and lasts a reasonable time then why dole out the cash.

I once laid an entire patio, cutting yorkstone with a cheap £25 Clark angle grinder from Machine Mart. It kept breaking within the warranty period and they kept replacing it, I went through three before the job was finished and I've still got the last one. It went on to do the grinding on the Wolseley and still comes out from time to time.

I can feel all those fingers twitching over keyboards wanting to write about tight Scots. Try to resist guys.

[Alan]

I have a very old B and D 1/4 sheet which works ok but causes hand problems because of the terrible vibration. So my thought is, why not treat yourself to something that might be pricey but is a delight to use? You deserve it!
I recently bought a Wiha flex shaft 1/4 hex screwdriver which is an absolute delight, and a Bahco adjustable wrench which I know from work experience is the business, ten times the cost of a cheapy and a hundred times as good. I know these aren't on the same scale of spending though.

[Paul H (admin)]

Graham, I guess with the money saved you can by a deep fat fryer and 12doz Mars bars. He he, couldn't resist. :)

Sent from my HTC

[Port-Na-Storm]

With a deep fat fryer  a gross of Mars bars and some batter, I could start up in business.

I think we're getting off subject a little bit here.

I've been doing an awful lot of sanding over the last few days, using that old stalwart, a block of wood, yards of 200 grit, and a bucket of elbow grease.

You paint it on, you sand it off again, you paint it on you sand it off again.  

[Paul H (admin)]

All joking aside, this hand sander is one of my favourite tools:



I found it at a builders merchant - Stanley GoldBlatt is the brand name. It's ideal for quick sanding of rough or splintered edges or a light sand of paintwork. The handle helps you cover large areas like a hull and it "feels" great in your hand.

At £6.99 you can't go wrong:

http://www.brooklyntrading.co.uk/p-3862-goldblatt-drywall-hand-sander-g05447.aspx

cheers
Paul