Sanders

An orbital sander goes round in a circle while a random orbit spins and follows an ellipse at the same time, producing a petal pattern. Imagine connecting an orbital sander to a Spirograph.

The Wikipeida page explains it quite well:

Thanks.

Yes. That helps a lot.

Comparisons here:

Random Orbit or belt probably

RO and detail sander..

Martin,

I have a 5" Random Orbital if you want to give one a try. Basically the same as the METABO SXE450.

Andrew May

Not to sure about the comment 'first produced in 1982' ... think they have been about longer than that

I believe you're correct - my Dad died in 1977, and I have his random-orbit sander.

Random orbital sanders are brilliant. Put a 40 grit disc on & they remove stock almost like a belt sander, put a 120 grade disc on & they give a fine finish.

What I am keen to try is one of the so called dual action sanders... they look like a RO sander, but have both a powered orbit and a (selectable) powered rotation mode rather than the rotation just coming about as a side effect of the orbit. They are apparently popular in car body shops etc (where they also make good polishers).

Yep, I've used one before but for car polishing. Very effective it was too.

I'd second that. I bought one to re-finish oak worktops and wouldn't bother trying anything else on a large flat surface. Mine's a cheapo (B&Q PP) but if I had known ho good the format would be, I woul have got a decent one.

Detail, of course, is another matter.....

I've got the Metabo SXE450, and I'd also recommend it. Capable of being a kitten or a tiger, and has happily put up with being pushed hard. 150mm punched discs are readily available, and the polishing bonnet useful too.

A random orbit one will do pretty well everything an orbital will do - but so much better.

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