Sander Recomendations

[ELAhrens]

If you could only have two or three powered sanders what would they be and why?

One of a series of questions in preparation to setting up a small home shop. TIA

Erik Ahrens, Apprentice termite

[Gfretwell]

Belt sander and a ROS? One to take material away fast and one to do finish work ... If I understand the question.

[George]

Plane(s) Spokeshave(s) Scrapers ROS Orbital 1/4 sheet

Don't like or use hand-held belt sanders. Stationary are useful for some things, but only if the piece is firmly held against a table or stop, so it isn't pressing the belt where it heats, dries, and sets scratches in the surface.

[Doug Miller]

Delta BOSS (Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander). Comes with an assortment of spindle sizes ranging from (IIRC) 3/4" to 3" diameter. Does a great job of sanding curves, especially inside curves. Very, very quiet. When attached to a dust collector, it makes almost no mess. Wish I'd bought one a long time ago.

Porter-Cable 333 random-orbit sander. Produces very smooth surfaces very quickly -- although a scraper does a better job, faster, and with less noise.

-- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

[Morgans]

IMHO, you don't like them because you have not used them enough to get good at it. They are a great way to rough sand, and flatten, but take a lot of skill.

[George]

Your opinion is worth the information it's based on.

Planes are much faster, friendlier, though perhaps you haven't acquired the necessary skills yet....

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I have PC 333 ROS DeWalt 433 ROS Ridgid Oscillating drum/belt Ryobi Belt sander

I use the Ridgid frequently for many things and have good control by moving the work against the belt.

I use the Ryobi the least as I have the least control. It is very good for rough sanding and making a shape, but I'm not confident or competent enough to use it for flattening anything. One wrong move and "ouch" you have a divot.

I don't use planes enough Ed

[Mike in Idaho]

I also have the PC 333 ROS, but I've since added a wooden smoothing plane (knight-toolworks) to my collection and my ROS has been collecting dust ever since. I really wish I had switched sooner to be honest. At least I didn't buy a belt sander, I'm going to go with the Jack Plane instead (and expect to be much happier for it).

Mike