With so many models out there, how do you select the right random orbital sander for the work you do? Ted Brown tests out 15 models and gives you the low-down.
Ted Brown tests out 15 random orbital sander models models and gives you the low-down.
I used to avoid sanding machines for furniture, saying that the purist gets a better finish by hand-planing, scraping, and using just a little hand-sanding. My view has changed, based on applications and the variety and quality of random orbital sanders on the market today.
I now make electric guitars, and find that the orbital sander has become a wonderful, essential tool. This article will look at some of the products on the market today, and provide the reader with some advice based on my experience, to guide them toward a purchase that will suit their needs, and their pockets.
In all, I tested 15 sanders and was pleasantly surprised that all of them will do the job, some better than others, and some with features that make the task more enjoyable.
Here are a number of different things that I find important when looking for a tool that I want to use for an extended period of time:
From the list above, you can see that there are a lot of things to consider when making that purchase. Of all the features in the list, I cannot find a good case for reducing the orbital speed in my work, so having this feature is nice, but not a showstopper for me. I had a couple of units that tended to skate across the work, which made controlling the sander difficult and, ultimately, adversely affected the finish. Things I enjoy as a consumer are a nice case along with a decent warranty extending beyond one year. Those units I enjoyed more have pricing accompanying their descriptions. I only looked at pricing after the review.
• 3 Amp motor, 7,000–12,000 OPM
• Bayonet bag mount for dust collection is easy to dump.
• Smooth and quiet with a comfortable oval, rubberized grip.
• Comes with an 8-foot cord.
• 3-yr. warranty
• 3 Amp motor, 7,000–12,000 OPM
• Bayonet mount on dust bag is easy to remove
• Easy to access RPM adjustment
• Smooth and quiet with comfortable pebbled oval grip
• 8-foot cord
• Slide switch is somewhat awkward
• Lifetime warranty!
• 2.4 Amp motor, 7,000–12,000 OPM
• Comfortable rubber grip
• Zipper on dust bag is simple to use
• Switch somewhat awkward
• 8-foot cord
• 5-yr. warranty
• 2.2 Amp motor, fixed 12,000 OPM
• Dust bag is easy to remove
• Awkward forward mounted rocker switch
• 6-foot cord
• Elastic used to retain dust bag makes emptying this sander messy
• 2-yr. warranty
• 2.8 Amp motor, fixed 12,500 OPM
• Nice rubber grip and easy-to-use rocker switch
• Bayonet mount on dustbin with micro-filter
• 6-foot cord
• Sander tended to skate on the surface periodically, causing gouging
• 1-yr. warranty
• 2 Amp motor, fixed 12,000 OPM
• 6-foot cord
• Elastic on dust collection makes dumping process messy
• Sander tended to skate, causing gouging of the surface
• Cover on rocker switch to keep dust out
• 3-yr. warranty
• 1.9 Amp motor, fixed 12,000 OPM
• Comfortable round grip
• Bayonet mount on dustbin makes dumping easy
• 8-foot cord
• 3-yr. warranty
• 2.5 Amp motor, 7,500–12,000 OPM
• Comfortable rubber grip
• Easy to use on/off switch
• Awkward hard-case dustbin is messy to dump
• 8-foot cord
• 1-yr. warranty
• 3 Amp motor, 4,000–12,000 OPM
• Comfortable rubber grip
• Minimum vibration transferred to hands
• Quick release dustbin
• 6-foot cord
• 1-yr. warranty
• 1.3 Amp motor is smallest in the review
• Easy-to-remove dust pouch
• Hard grip transfers vibration into your hands
• 6-foot cord
• Elastic retainer on dustbin makes it messy to dump
• 2-yr. warranty
• 3 Amp motor, 7,000–12,000 OPM
• Bayonet mount dust bag easy to dump
• Very smooth and quiet
• Soft start feature
• Comfortable rubber grip – this unit just felt good in my hands.
• 5-yr. warranty
• 3 Amp motor, 4,000–12,000 OPM
• Comfortable trigger grip with lock-on feature
• Bayonet mount dustbin for easy dumping
• Top-mounted speed control easy to access with your thumb
• One- or two-hand operation
• Compact and powerful
• 6-foot cord
• 1-yr. warranty
• 200-Watt motor, 5,000–14,000 OPM (extended range)
• Sturdy build quality with robust switch
• Vacuum cleaner dust collection for virtually dustless operation!
• Handy Bayonet mount on long 13-foot power cord
• Smooth operation, constant speed under load
• Soft start feature
• 3-yr. warranty
• 500-Watt motor, 3,000–6,000 OPM
• Heavy-duty construction, powerful unit
• Over-temperature switch
• Electronic speed control with smooth soft start feature
• Controls maintain constant speed under load
• Rotex action – this is the second mode that combines rotary and eccentric action for fast material removal; a fantastic, useful shaping tool
• Care should be taken to keep this tool running flat as it can skate if tilted.
• Excellent tool storage system
• 3-yr. warranty
• 3.3 Amp motor, 5,500–12,000 OPM
• Great 13-foot long cord
• Auxiliary front handle for two-hand operation
• Trigger lock
• Large hard plastic filtered dustbin easy to dump
• Large handles and substantial motor allow you to bear down
• 1-yr. warranty
The interesting thing was that all of the units tested are capable of completing a reasonable sanding job. Features like soft start, more pliable pads, and braking systems add to the actual final finish.
I did not obtain the pricing until after all the work was complete, so I had some pleasant, and some predictable revelations.
I think we need to look at two applications when reviewing these sanders – those meant for light, one-handed work, and then those meant for heavy work.
My choice for best value is actually the one unit that can be used (just to confuse things) for either one-handed light use or two-handed heavier use. The Makita BO5041 is a compact, yet powerful random orbital sander that is well designed.
It comes with a removable second handle that can be quickly added or removed from the front of the sander for heavy two-handed sanding. You can also use this sander two-handed by placing one hand on the trigger grip at the rear, and the other on top of the comfortable sander body. It comes with a trigger lock, and brake, to slow the motor when it is shut off. I would like to have seen a longer cord, and a longer warranty as well. At $139 retail, I consider this unit “Best Value”.
An honorable mention must go to the Ridgid R2601 at $89.99 from Home Depot. This unit is comfortable, smooth, quiet, has a brake, and a quick disconnect bayonet mount on the dustbin to quickly dump the dust. It is variable-speed and carries a lifetime warranty.
A solid third place goes to the Milwaukee 6021-21. If you put it beside the Ridgid, you may find a lot of similarities. This is a smooth, comfortable, variable speed sander with a five-year warranty for $94.99.
The Festool ETS 125 EQ is a wonderful single-hand unit. It has a solid switch, comfortable ergos, and it stops quickly. It features speed control and soft start, along with variable speed and a lovely 13-foot cord. This is a very good value system for $209 at Lee Valley that offers you the ability to go “dustless” by purchasing a Festool shop vacuum.
In the heavy-duty models, the hands-down winner is the Festool RO 125 FEQ. This is a 500-watt system with orbits between 3,000 and 6,000 OPM. It can be used for shaping using the Rotex mode, fine sanding using the eccentric mode, or polishing. The pads have a handy bayonet mount for quick changes.
Festool uses electronic control to maintain a constant speed under load. It also includes an over-temperature switch to guard your motor, and a smooth soft start to ensure a quality finish. This is a top-notch system made of quality materials, meant to last a lifetime. It comes with the best storage box of all the sanders tested. Our friends at Lee Valley have a winner here. It may take some soul searching before you buy, however, because all these features come at a retail price of $514.
To me, dust collection is key in a small shop – both to keep peace with my spouse, and to keep a healthy environment that is as dust-free as possible. Festool offers a shop vacuum system that removes what appears to be all of the dust, and then filters the air using an efficient Hepa filter. The RO 125 FEQ and the smaller ETS 125 EQ one-hand sander both use a Festool designed vacuum of your choice. You can buy the RO 125 FEQ from Lee Valley in a package with the CT26E vacuum system for $1126. I use a different model of Festool with a smaller disk size for my guitar detailing, and paid over $1000 for the system – and I don’t regret it one bit. When it comes to dust, you have to decide how much your health is worth.
On a final note, I think that Bosch deserves credit for their model ROS65VC heavy-duty orbital sander. This is a large 3.3 Amp machine with a 13-foot cord. It comes with a vibration elimination system, and a handy trigger lock for all day jobs. With the auxiliary forward handle mounted, you can really bear down on this unit; it is meant to take it.
There you have it; buy the one that fits your hand and your pocket book. While some units cost more, your health cannot be overlooked, and I have to say my spouse was happy with the zero-dust machine I bought.
Ted is the owner of Blackwood Guitar Co. in Mallorytown, Ontario. where he makes custom guitars and teaches guitar making.
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Your review about orbital sander is so informative. I have been using an orbital sander for a few months now, and I have to say that it has made my life so much easier. I don’t know how I ever managed without one. It’s just so convenient and efficient.