Which random orbital sander should I buy?

[Louis Brandt]

Hello,

I want a random orbital sander, and I’ve seen three of them that I like. Has anyone had experience with any of these, and if so, which would you recommend?

DeWalt D26453K, 3 amp, variable speed
Milwaukee 6021-21, 3 amp variable speed
Bosch ROS20VS, 2.2 amp, variable speed.

At my local Borgs, the Milwaukee and Bosch are both $69.95, and the DeWalt is $79.95 All of them have the same speed range, about 7000 to 12000.

What I don’t understand is why the Bosch is rated at only 2.2 amps.

Thanks,
Louis

[Chris Padilla]

I don't see Festool on your list and since I have one, they are extemely nice...especially when it comes to dust collection. Seriously, hook a Festool ROS up with a vacuum (Fein or Festool or whatever), and you will have no sawdust--you'll wonder if you're really sanding. However, Festool will cost at least 3x of the ones on your list and that doesn't include a vacuum.

What are the sizes of these ROSs? 6" discs?

[Bill White]

Why do ya want a VS ROS? I may be missing something here 'cause I've been using the venerable PC for quite some time. Never thought I needed VS.
Bill

[Gary Elore]

FWIW

One of the wood working mags (I subscribe to three and can't remember which one) recently had a ROS shoot out. They gave the Ridgid the nod as their choice. They had good things to say about several of the sanders though so it might be worth a read if you can find the article.;

They did say that the Festool was an excellent sander but had the smallest orbit diameter, making it slow for heavy sanding tasks.

[Montgomery Scott]

I'm on my second Bosch variable speed sander. They are nice sanders and I won't go back to non-VS sander as it is too versatile. That said, I would probably buy a festool next time as I prefer quality over price, though I learned about them after I bought my last sander.

[Jason White]

If you're limited to those 3 choices due to cost, then just pick the one that feels best in your hand.

Jason


Hello,

I want a random orbital sander, and I’ve seen three of them that I like. Has anyone had experience with any of these, and if so, which would you recommend?

DeWalt D26453K, 3 amp, variable speed
Milwaukee 6021-21, 3 amp variable speed
Bosch ROS20VS, 2.2 amp, variable speed.

At my local Borgs, the Milwaukee and Bosch are both $69.95, and the DeWalt is $79.95 All of them have the same speed range, about 7000 to 12000.

What I don’t understand is why the Bosch is rated at only 2.2 amps.

Thanks,
Louis

[Craig D Peltier]

2008 Tool Guide put put by Fine woodworking rated the bosch the best due to leaving fewer scratches from the orbit. I have that one, its not the quietest or the least vibrating one but I like it.
I also have the dewalt, much quiter and less vibration.