Untitled - Wood Tools

6" Random-Orbit Sanders:
SAME TN IUA]UIE ONUY
These are all 6" random-orbit sanders,
and they all have electric motors.
Those are the only truths that apply
to all of these tools without exception.
Beyond that, each tool distinguishes
iself, for better or wone, in at least one
of the following categories.
9cnding Aclion
Three types ofsanding action are represented
\ these swen sanden N*l.h
single action only, dual-random orbit,
and eccentric / random orbit.
The single-action sanders (Porter-
Cable, DeWalt, Fein) are those we
have conventionally thought of as
random-orbit sanders (ROS).The
discs of these sanders spin while
simultaneously moving in an elliptical
pattern. There is no means of
affecting the size or pattern oforbit
on these tools.
One dual random-orbit sander
(Ridgid) lets you toggle between
di{ferent orbit sizes. And while the
company claims that this gives the
sander more aggressive stock remova.l
characteristics, we feel it's more accurate
to consider this a finish sander
(like the conventional ROS) with
an extra measure of versatility
because of the rwo orbit settings.
For rapid stock removal, three
sanders @osch, Makita, Festool) offer
an eccentric, or direct-drive action,
in addirion to the conventional ROS
pattern (see page 55for more on this).
Dust Gollection
Most of these sanders require a shop
vacuum for dust control.The DeWalt
and the Ridgid, however, come
equipped with a dust collection bag.
Although not as efFective as a vacuum
connection, they both did a passable
job of minimizing dust.And it's nice
to have the option of a dust bag when
a shop vacuum isn't convenient.
As to whatt required to connect
a sander to a vacuum, there are some
telling differences:
. The Festool sander requires a
Festool hose because ofits oval port.
. It's hard to get the Makita to
work with any hose, as most hoses
tend to slip offthe small dust port.
. The Fein. Bosch. and Porter-
Cable sanders fit best with their own
brand ofhose, but can be adapted to
others without much trouble.
. DeWalt requires you to purchase
an accessory to connect its
sander to a vacuum.
. Only the Ridgid comes ready
to connect to any standard 11/4" or
2" vacuum hose.
Bosch
Virtues: Perfectly bolonced;
Awesome stock removol; Excellent
fine sonding; Flowless dust control.
Vices: Not louder thon other
sonders, but quite shrill by comporison.
Puthe eorplugs in for sure.
Verdicil Only the Festool motches
this sonder feoturefor-feoture ond on
oll performonce points. And this one
costs obout $ I 00 less.
Festool
Virtues: Smooth, powerful, ond
perfectly bolonced; Outstonding
stock removol ond fine sonding.
Vices: Requires o Festool hose for
dust collection.
Verdicf: This is os good os the
Bosch in every woy. Only money
seporote the two. And you'd
never regret the extro expense.
Mclkitq
Virtues: Acceptsix-hole ond
ninehole sonding,discs; Duol modes
for oggressive or fine sonding.
Vices: Our test modelwos poorly
bolonced ond difficult to conirol.
Dust collection wos leost effective.
Verdicil We were disoppointed
with our testool becouse of overooe
dust control ond poor bolonce.
54
www.Boschloob.com
877-267-2499
www.Fesfool-USA.com
888-332-8600
www.tlokilo.com
800-462-5482
woRKBENcH ! JUNE 2004