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ROS

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I have decided to treat myself to a ROS sander.
What features are important?
For example there’s a Dewalt on offer at tool station that extols the virtue of a small orbit size.
Would welcome recommendations of brand/ model or even supplier.

I imagine that I will only use it for final finishing as I already have an excellent Bosch belt sander.
 
Small orbit of usually 2 or 3mm equals smaller swirls on the workpiece for a finer finish, large orbit of 5 or 6mm equals larger swirls which is for removing material quickly. You still get a relatively good finish from a large orbit but the small orbit does leave a finer finish, obviously.

I recommend the Makita BO6030, I’ve got one and it’s a good machine with pretty good extraction even with just the bag on it. The Metabo SXE450s are also very good but very poor for dust extraction unless you’ve got an extractor fitted, I would say the Metabo has a bit more “umph” than the Makita, as well as you can supposedly change between orbit size but I’ve never managed to get this to work properly so it’s always on large orbit.
 
Peter Millard's you tube channel deals with this and the pros and cons of ROS at different price points. Includes Mirka clones and he has also just reviewed the new Festool. Various reviews of cheap ones too.

He reckons the sweet spot is 5mm orbit for most things. Some of the better ones take two disc sizes, which can be useful.

Link here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hieq1PTITWI&t=23s

if you scroll down the text in the vid, he gives links to lots of his reviews. I find him pretty honest and straightforward in tool reviews.

PS I use Mirka - always with extraction. I really like it as dust production is minimal and it gives a superb finish. It is light and small in the hand. Fully variable speed but some people don't get on with the top paddle (eg my wife).
 
I managed to get hold of a Festool Rotex 90 on FB Market place S/H.

It sands course, fine, can use delta pads and can polish with the right pads. It's great for my instruments.

The 150's come up more often than the 90 on FB MP.
 
Without going to workshop to check I am pretty sure the Metabo 450 which I have has dual setting for either large or small orbit size. Cant comment on extraction as I have taken outside in the past or hooked up to shop vac.
 
I have the Metabo 450 SXE (6"), had it for years and it gets used a lot with from 40g abrasive to 600g Abranet.
I originally bought it when I was fitting kitchens, solid surface Corian and Mistral mostly and could get a very good satin finish with 600g followed by polish to get a gloss shine. I can get a good srface on most wood through the grits as well.
It does have dual settings as Andy said but I can never for the life of me remember what they are so just leave it as is. :oops:

If mine broke I'd replace with the same or equivalent machine but I have no experience of any others so can't comment.

Edit, thinking about it the other setting is a boost of some kind for when you want some extra power - I think.
 
I’m with Malc on this & if I could only have one sander it would be the Festool RO 90 which takes 90mm sanding discs, it’s a 4 in one machine with the course ROS action of the rotex, a normal ROS action , a standard sander & then a plate for delta sanding which makers it really versatile sander, plus the extraction is excellent. The only downside is the price
 
From your Insta Doug you obviously have a Festool ETS150 finishing sander as well. Given the OP is after a finishing sander, would you not recommend that? I've only used one briefly and was very impressed with the lack of vibration and quality of finish.
 
For years I used the Festool rotex 150 as my go to sander for finishing.....I would leave my hand with a little tingling after long periods of use.
Then a couple of years ago I bought the Festool ETS150, you can use it all day and no problem with your hand.
The Rotex is hardly used now.


Sent from my Redmi Note 9S using Tapatalk
 
AJB Temple":1tyk4o17 said:
From your Insta Doug you obviously have a Festool ETS150 finishing sander as well. Given the OP is after a finishing sander, would you not recommend that? I've only used one briefly and was very impressed with the lack of vibration and quality of finish.
Click to expand...

Yeah my old ets is 21 years old & still a great sander but if I could only have one it would be the RO 90 for it’s versatility, fortunately I have a choice
 
Andyp":ki06s2sg said:
Without going to workshop to check I am pretty sure the Metabo 450 which I have has dual setting for either large or small orbit size. Cant comment on extraction as I have taken outside in the past or hooked up to shop vac.
Click to expand...
I've had a Metabo with the dual setting for donkey's years. Great bit of kit; dunno whether or not it's still manufactured though - Rob
 
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