September 2011 – Best Sander Reviews

Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander Review

Bosch 1250DEVS 6-1/2-Amp Random Orbit Sander With Vacuum Port

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Random orbit sanders have been popular since their entry on the market in the early 90’s and the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander continues the quality of this family of sanders to this day.

The Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander is able to sand wood to a fine finish through a combination of spinning sanding disks moving in an ellipse. This elliptical movement ensures that the disks never follow the same path twice. The unique movement of the sandpaper disks are not sensitive to the wood grain and leaves no swirl marks.

There are two modes of sanding: the orbital mode just described and a turbo mode that increases the speed by five times that of the normal speed. The purpose of the turbo boost of power is to smooth wood that is rougher than normal. It comes equipped with a selector switch that helps you switch between modes depending on how much speed you need to get the job done.

The 6.5 amp motor with variable speeds from 3,100 to 6,650 rpm is up to the task of doing any sanding work that you need done easily and quickly. The variable speeds of the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander makes smoothing virgin wood, or removing several coats of varnish or paint, easier than ever before.

Other power features of the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander are:

• Soft start function that tones down the start-up torque
• Variable speed dial that makes it extra easy for you to choose the working speed you need for the project
• Pad dampening system that helps prevent swirl marks
• Passive dust collection system available through Bosch to keep area nearly dust free
• Uses 6-hole, 6-inch hook and loop discs that are easily found sold in local department and home improvement stores.

When you purchase the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander, the kit includes a dust tube, soft backing pad, an auxiliary handle that can be used with the left or right-hand, one sanding disc, and a 5 mm pad wrench that attaches to the sander.

What Customers Say About the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander
The customers have given the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander a very high average rating. Quite clearly, most of the customers are very happy with their Bosch 1250DEVS sander.

Most of the buyers were impressed by the powerful motor and excellent dust collection. Other common comments mentioned that is very easy to control and doesn’t have much vibration. Many buyers mentioned that it is very powerful, the perfect sander for serious sanding projects. Most of the customers also appreciated the dual mode, making the sander useful for a lot of sanding tasks.

There were some negative comments as well. Most of the complaints we found felt the random orbit sander was over-priced. Another disadvantage mentioned was that the Bosch 1250DEVS is a little bit heavy. It is not much of a problem, unless you do overhead work.

At Amazon.com you can read Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander customer reviews

Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander Review Summary
Without the slightest doubt, the Bosch 1250DEVS is a high quality random orbit sander. It is not the cheapest random orbit sander on the market but it is one of the best. If you are looking for a heavy-duty, high-performance sander suitable for finishing big jobs quickly and easily, then you may want to look at the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander.

You can buy the Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbit Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Disc Sander Reviews

Disc sanders have a disk with sandpaper attached to it. They can be stationary or portable. Disc sanders are available in a wide range of sizes. The bigger models are stationary and meant for workshops. They can be very expensive. But stationary disc sanders are also available with smaller disks. The handheld models are much smaller and suitable for DIY tasks. The disc size of the handheld models is generally between 5 and 7 inches. Handheld disk sanders with large discs are difficult to control. Combined disc and belt sanders are also available. It is a stationary belt sander with a disc sander in the same unit.

We recommend the following disk sanders:

Best Handheld Disk Sander: Makita GV5010 5-Inch Disc Sander

The Makita GV5010 is the successor of the excellent GV5000 disc sander. The GV5010 is more powerful and more comfortable to use than the old model. The new 4.2 amp motor delivers 4,500 rpm for fast and efficient sanding. It is double insulated and has a soft grip handle for increased comfort on the job. The GV5010 weighs only 2.6 pounds. Here you can read more about the Makita GV5010 5-Inch Disc Sander.

You can buy Makita GV5010 5-Inch Disc Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Best Stationary Disk Sander: Delta Power Equipment Corp 31-140 Disc Sander

The Delta 31-140 disc sander is expensive but it is also an excellent sander. It is very powerful despite the compact size. The Delta 31-140 is relatively heavy, about 75 lbs, it is a cast iron construction. You get a cast-iron table that tilts from 90 to 45 degrees, along with a miter gauge and circle jig. Despite being powerful it is fairly quiet and no vibrations. The dust collection is excellent. It has a built-in impellor that aids in dust collection and a 4-inch dust port. Here you can learn more about the Delta 31-140 Disc Sander.

You can buy the Delta Power Equipment Corp 31-140 Disc Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Best Combined Belt and Disk Sander: JET J-41002 2-Inch by 42-Inch 3/4-Horsepower Bench Belt and 8-Inch Disc Sander

Combined belt and disc sanders are not perfect, they are combi-devices. But the JET J-41002 is a good combined belt and disc sander. You get high quality for a reasonable price. For its size it is really powerful but it does not vibrate. It is a versatile sander, can be used for a wide range of sanding projects. You can grind, sand or finish large work pieces on the disc unit fast and efficiently. The belt is can be used for sanding, grinding or finishing of outside, curves or odd shaped work pieces. Here you can read more about the JET J-41002 Bench Belt and Disc Sander.

You can buy JET J-41002 2-Inch by 42-Inch 3/4-Horsepower Bench Belt and 8-Inch Disc Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Random Orbit Sander Reviews

Random orbit sanders are fairly new, the first models were introduced in the early 1990s. The random orbit sander turned out to be a huge success. It has the aggressive sanding of a belt sander while producing the fine surface of orbital sanders. Thanks this combination, random orbit sanders have become the most popular type of sander.

The random orbit sander has two movements, the sandpaper disc spins in a circle while the whole pad moves in an oval loop. This ensures that no single part of the abrasive material travels the same path twice. Thanks to this, an orbital sander leaves a smooth finish without any swirl marks.

Although random orbit sanders are very versatile, they don’t replace all other sanders. If a lot of material needs to be removed, then a belt sander is a much better choice. The random orbit sanders are easy to use and fairly safe for beginners to use. Just remember that they are powerful sanders, avoid being too aggressive unless you know what you are doing.

The random orbit sanders used to be expensive but the prices have come down a lot over the years. Nowadays, you can get a good random orbit sander for far less than $100. And this includes models with variable speed and dust collection.

We recommend the following random orbit sanders:

Best Value for the Money Random Orbit Sander: TACKLIFE PRS01A Random Orbit Sander

The TACKLIFE PRS01A Random Orbit Sander has been one of the best selling sanders for a long time. Its success is easy to explain, it is a very good sander and the price is very low. This means that you get excellent value for your money. It is a 5-inch palm sander with a 3.0 amp variable speed motor. It is a good sander with no significant shortcomings. It is well-balanced, generates little vibrations and it collects most of the dust. Simply put, excellent value for the money. Here you can read more about the TACKLIFE PRS01A Random Orbit Sander.

You can buy the TACKLIFE PRS01A Random Orbit Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Best Cordless Random Orbit Sander: DEWALT DCW210B 20V max Cordless Random Orbital Sander

The DEWALT DCW210B 20V max Cordless Random Orbital Sander is fairly new but so far it looks like being an excellent sander. It is a real pleasure to use, no dust, no vibrating hands, no heat, no noise. The quality of the sanding is outstanding. The dust extraction vacuum system is excellent, it removes any trace of dust. All in all, the DEWALT DCW210B is a fantastic cordless sander. Just be aware that it is sold without charger or battery. So unless you already have a suitable charger and batteries, you need to pay additionally to get a working sander. But if you want the best cordless sander, then the DEWALT DCW210B is the right sander for you. Here you can read more about the DEWALT DCW210B 20V max Cordless Random Orbital Sander.

You can buy the DEWALT DCW210B 20V max Cordless Random Orbital Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Best Heavy Duty Random Orbit Sander: Bosch GET65-5N 5 In. Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander

If you need a powerful random orbit sander, then the Bosch GET65-5N 5 In. Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander is worth a closer examination. It has an aggressive “Turbo” drive eccentric orbit mode that operates at five times the regular rate, in order to remove rougher stock. Low noise, low vibration and great dust collection makes it a top sander. It is expensive but if you need a heavy duty random orbital sander this is the best. Here you can read more about the Bosch GET65-5N 5 In. Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander.

You can buy the Bosch GET65-5N 5 In. Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Best Pneumatic Random Orbit Sander: FIXKIT 6″ Air Random Orbital Sander

If you are looking for an air sander, the FIXKIT 6″ Air Random Orbital Sander is well worth having a closer look at. It is a good pneumatic sander and the price is very competitive. There a couple of air sanders that are a little bit better than the FIXKIT but they are also more expensive. Unless you must absolutely have the best air sander, the FIXKIT will be the best choice. It gives you unbeatable value for the money. Here you can read more about the Metabo SXE400 2 Amp 3-1/8-Inch Random Orbit Sander.

You can buy the FIXKIT 6″ Air Random Orbital Sander Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Belt Sander Reviews

Belt sanders are used in the beginning of the sanding process. They are not used for fine woodworking, instead they are used for heavy duty tasks, the initial rough sanding. Their job is to make a surface that smooth enough so that a random orbital sander to do the fine sanding. A belt sander is much more powerful than most other sanders. They have a lot of torque so be careful, they can quickly tear through a piece wood.

Stationary belt sanders tend to be larger and more expensive than the handheld models. The stationary model is suited for heavy-duty tasks done by professional. For all normal DIY tasks, a handheld belt sander will be good enough. You can also buy a combined disc and belt sander, which due to their size are stationary sanders.

Given the power of belt sanders, you generally want one with variable speed. This makes it possible for you to control how fast the belt rotate. Since belt sanders often make a lot of dust, a sander with a dust bag is a very good to have. That said, some dust will always escape so wearing a mask is advisable.

The size of the belt is given as X inches by Y inches, there X is the width and Y is the length of the belt.

We recommend the following belt sanders:

The Best Belt Sander: Makita 9403 4″ x 24″ Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag and 4-Inch x 24-Inch Abrasive Sanding Belt

Our Rating: 4.75/5

Makita make a couple of excellent belt sanders, and the one we like the most ist the Makita 9903 Belt Sander. It is very versatile belt sander. It is very quiet but still a powerful. It is small and light weight, making it easy to handle. It has a long power cord (16,4 foot) and the dust collection works well. You clamp upside down in a wood worker’s bench vice and use it as a stationary sander. It is pretty expensive but you get what you pay for. All in all, the Makita 9903 is an excellent and very versatile belt sander.

You can buy the Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Value For The Money: WEN HB3185 5-Amp 3-by-18-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander

Our Rating: 4.25/5

Good belt sanders are generally expensive. Buying factory-reconditioned tools can be risky but also a way of saving money. The Factory-Reconditioned Skil 7500-RT Belt Sander is a good sander, powerful enough for all normal tasks around the house and fairly light weight. It comes with a Micro-Filter dust canister which collects most of the dust. You don’t get variable speed but the price is very low. If you want a cheap sander, you can not get better value for your money than this. It comes with a one-year warranty, protecting your money. All in all, the Factory-Reconditioned Skil 7500-RT is a good sander and it is incredibly cheap, you get excellent value for your money.

You can buy the WEN HB3185 Belt Sander at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Powerful Belt Sander: Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

Our Rating: 4.75/5

If you need a powerful sander, the Makita 9403 is the right sander for you. Despite its large size, 4-inch footprint, it is fairly light weight. Best of all, it is extremely quiet despite being such a powerful sander. It comes with a long power cord and the dust collection is excellent. It is easy to change belts. No wonder that this is one of the best selling belt sanders. It is quite expensive, but if you need a powerful belt sander, this is the best.

You can buy the Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Small Belt Sander: Porter-Cable 371 2 1/2 by 14-Inch Compact Belt Sander

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Most belt sanders are fairly large but sometimes you need a small and light weight sander. If you need a compact belt sander, then the Porter-Cable 371 is certainly worth a closer look. Given its small size, 2.5 X 14”, it’s not as powerful as the larger sanders but it can handle most tasks anyway. It only weights about 5 lb. It does not have a dust bag but it has a removable dust port to attach a vacuum. One drawback is that the Porter-Cable 371 can get hot if you use it for longer time. But this problem can be minimized by using good sandpaper.

You can buy the Porter-Cable 371K 2 1/2 by 14-Inch Compact Belt Sander Kit from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander Review

Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Those seeking the smoothest, finest and cleanest finish works on carpentry and paint jobs can count on the 5-inch DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander to do the job satisfactorily and easily. This power tool utilizes Dewalt’s trademark “Controlled Finishing System” that delivers consistent and reliable sanding function, utilizing a 3AMP motor that provides output of 12,000 OPM (oscillations per minute)—just the right performance for achieving the perfect, smooth finish on various types of workshop jobs.

The DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander features a random-orbit motion with a 3/32-inch orbit that avoids the phenomenon of unsightly, prominent swirls but at the same time ensures that substantial surface material is smoothed away for the best finish. The unique, distinctive Controlled Finishing System accurately and precisely controls the speed of the pad, and prevents “gouging” or the rough start-ups of the tool that lead to prominent and sudden jerks or marks on the surface.

Contributing to the ease of use of the DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander is a lightweight, easy-to-control housing body featuring textured grips for the ultimate in user control and precision. It is only around 3.4 pounds, definitely easy to maneuver and even to bring around within the workshop and possibly outdoors on different job locations. DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander is a pleasure to use for hours on end, minimizing fatigue and loss of control on the user no matter how difficult or tough the finishing job is.

With the nature of finishing jobs generating and blowing around so much dust from the reduced surface of the material during sanding or stripping, the DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander is thoughtfully designed with a sealed switch and sealed ball bearings. This prevents the debris or dust from penetrating the tool’s precision motor and other machinations, thus extending its usable life and precision capabilities. A built-in vacuum adapter further ensures a clean and spotless work surface and work area, utilizing a compact yet high-capacity dust bag.

Users simply love the streamlined design of this sanding tool that makes it a joy to use, especially with the vacuum and collection bag attachment. Average online customer reviews award it with a 4.5 rating for its efficiency and genuine power to deliver on its promise as a sanding and smoothing tool.

This well-reviewed sander accommodates 5-inch, 8-hole hook-and-loop abrasive paper material. Users will find that sanding disks can be switched back and forth with ease and utmost immediacy that smooth finishing is never compromised. The DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander makes it possible to keep strict work schedules on time no matter how great the time pressure is. Operation is extremely efficient and keeps up with the demands of the user whether in terms of performance or desired quality of finish.

To top it all off, the DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander comes with a warranty package Dewalt loyalists have come to expect in other tools in this brand—a three-year limited warranty, one year service contract absolutely free, plus a three-month or ninety-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Note that the DEWALT D26451K comes with a soft bag nowadays, not a hard case.

You can buy the DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Our Rating: 4.5/5