Which is the best? I always see to have tracking problems with the cheaper ones. I think I will buy a little better quality. Hitachi and Makita both look good. H is 3x21 and the M is 3x24. Which is the more common belt.
Some of you will laugh, but I like the little 3 x 18 Skill sander. Mine has automatic tracking, and as long as you reverse the belt one in a while, it works great. It cuts quickly, is very easy to control, maneuverable, and less fatiguing. Cheap enough to get 5 years out of it and throw away. I've never had to work on it.
-- Jim in NC
I like the idea of smaller. Most of my sanding jobs aren't that big. It can get into smaller spaces then the big boys. I've never seen the Skil, I'll take a look.
I've had a Ryobi 3" by 21" for about 8 years now at least - love it. Sands flat and is usable for edge sanding with one hand - it's built like a big sanding block. The Bosch is similar in shape but for a lower price I can tell you, the Ryobi has really proven itself..
I've got one, it's pretty cheesy but gets used a lot for small rough jobs. I have a larger Porter Cable for when I want some control and a better results, but the Skill 3x18 gets used about 90% of the time because it's so handy and gets into smaller spaces.
I guess I haven't seen a good sander. :-)
I like my 25 year old Craftsman. I have turned lots of wood into dust with that baby and it is still going.
I have a couple but the Makita 9403, 4" x 24" is by far the best. I used it yesterday finishing up some furniture and plan to use it again tomorrow. It is a joy to use, perfect control and little to no dust escapes it.
Phil
snipped-for-privacy@lostspace.net wrote:
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 15:23:02 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@lostspace.net pixelated:
-snip-
Then why do you keep buying them?
-- Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ---- --Unknown
If you buy a Zirconia belt from Klingspor, it won't matter. That belt will chew up wood like you never dreamed possible. I think their claim is "through a 2 X 4 in less than one minute". I believe it. The Ryobi is the most consistant on this newsgroups for getting recomendations. I don't like it personally but the people like it. I think most of us tend to be tool snobs.
I have had this same Ryobi for about 5 years and, although I have used others, would not trade it for any other brand except the Bosch. Tracking adjustment is as simple as any I have seen. The machine is a very compact design.
Like all Ryobi tools, if I were running a production shop, I might want tools that are built more substantially for longer life, but this has been one of the best tools I have ever owned.
Dick Durbin
Are you the groups village idiot?
I too, have the Ryobi. It's the only Ryobi product I've owned that I like. From a distance it looks like the Bosch. I've used mine plenty and it still working fine.
dave
BUB 209 wrote:
Actually, Larry is the poster boy for twit filtering. :)
dave
snipped-for-privacy@lostspace.net wrote:
After reading this I realized that most of your question hasn't even been answered.
Now my opinion on Sanders. Bosches are almost always beefy looking. Never liked the design since I am a small person with small hands and frame. I like My Variable speed 3x21 PC. I have had previous experience with them in production and seen them take a beating. The design is good for me. I considered the equivalent Dewalt (what ever the number) But didn't like the design and bag, fewer amps and a bit slower rotation. However the DW is not all that bad. If I had sprung for the 3x24 it probably would have killed me long ago. Yesterday I had to use mine at a chest high position, let's say the power and weight was sufficient to keep me well braced and my muscles ached. I would take a Makita over a Hitachi anyday.
On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 09:03:05 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@lostspace.net pixelated:
No, and that's "group's", but you're working toward that position, aren't you?
-- Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ---- --Unknown
I bought my Ryobi because of two basic reasons; three, actually -
1) I wanted a 'multi-tasking' tool 2} I needed something that was easily maneuverable in various attitudes 3) It was 'ON SALE'.Regarding 'Power' and 'Belts' - I've had the 'drive wheel' keep spinning while the belt 'stalled' . Usually with a new, very stiff, very course 'Planer Belt'. I had just glued a 'Graphite Pad' to the Pressure Plate and some of it was flaking off, probably added to the situation. A folded piece of 'file folder' stock under the plate solved that. (I have also noted there is some variation in the length of 'standard' belts}.
'Klingspor' has more belts, and types of belts, then you'll properly ever use. I have an assortment of VERY COURSE to 'somewhat' Course 'Planer Belts' for both the 'hand-held' and 4inch stationary sander. These do such a good job of removing stock that you CAN'T let your attention wonder for a second !! Most of my belts are 80 or 100 grit. About the finest I'll go on a belt sander is 120 grit. Below that I switch to either a 1/4 sheet 'jitterbug' or a cork-faced block.
Regards & Good Luck, Ron Magen Backyard Boatshop
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