Cordless sander recommendations?

[Bryan Hall]

I truly enjoy the results from my corded mirka sander, but there are times when cordless would be really valuable. I can't stand going back to my DeWalt. Does anyone have recommendations for a great cordless sander? Numerous battery platforms doesn't bother me.

[james manutes]

First place to check , options on the battery platforms you currently have . I would think Festool is pretty good .

[Jim Becker]

First place to check , options on the battery platforms you currently have . I would think Festool is pretty good .
I agree with this advice if you already have cordless tools...most folks typically stick with a particular brand, although there are always exceptions. The battery platform is honestly the most expensive part of going cordless if you have to buy different colored "duplicates" to have multiple brands in use.

[Dave Sabo]

First place to check , options on the battery platforms you currently have . I would think Festool is pretty good .


Normally I would agree, but not in this case. At least with the first part.

Here’s why: first off , Bryan doesn’t care if the sander operates on his current platform. Two, there aren’t usually multiple offerings within a battery platform for sanders. Especially at 18v. Lastly , DeWalt is one of the choices and he hates that so……..



Sure , Festool’s sanders are really good - on par or better than Mirka. They also have 3 cordless models to choose from which is a bonus. The drawback for many is their sander battery platform only runs those sanders. In this case though - that’s not really a problem.
https://www.protoolreviews.com/festool-hybrid-sanders-review/


Mirka has a cordless polisher that if you’re looking for a small 2” or less sander.
https://www.mirka.com/en/p/Mirka-AOS-B-130NV-32----3?category=products/power-tools


Rikon has one too that my turner friends say is decent for bowl work.
https://www.rikontools.com/product/31-200

[Jason White]

I like my cordless Bosch a lot.

[Bobby Robbinett]

The new cordless Bosch that appears to be a Mirka clone is super nice. Probably the best sander not made by Festool or Mirka. If Festool came out with a cordless Rotex that would be my choice. Otherwise this Bosch is excellent and very comfortable. It looks like a pneumatic sander but it’s actually a cordless.

[Kevin Jenness]

What kind of sander are you looking for? I recently got a Milwaukee M12 rotary sander/polisher which is a nice light high speed unit for turning applications, but for finishing flat work I would probably be looking for a random orbital or possibly an orbital sander.

[Bryan Hall]

Bobby: are you talking about the Bosch GEX18v-5N? I haven't heard of that one before and will look into it a bit more.

Kevin: I'm definitely interested in a polisher, but that's not the point right now. I'm looking for a ROS for general flat surface finishing.

Dave is right. Battery platform has zero impact on my choice. I managed to track down a dewalt vs festool cordless sander review which spoke to the significant noise and vibration benefits of the festool. I also know festool tends to have excellent dust collection so I may try to track one of those down in person.

[Tom Bussey]

Okay I checked out both the 18 volt and the 12 volt Bosch sanders, any experience with either. I have both systems. Also anyone with experience with the Makita sander would be helpful. The Makita sander does appear to be top-heavy.

[Jim Becker]

Dave is right. Battery platform has zero impact on my choice. I managed to track down a dewalt vs festool cordless sander review which spoke to the significant noise and vibration benefits of the festool. I also know festool tends to have excellent dust collection so I may try to track one of those down in person.
Honestly, the reason I have the Festool sanders I do is because of the vibration and dust collection benefits. I haven't used the battery operated (or even current generation corded), but if they "kept with the program", they are likely work checking out. They can still be used with the extractor with the BT provisioned gear, too, even though there's no power cord.

[Dave Sabo]

Honestly, the reason I have the Festool sanders I do is because of the vibration and dust collection benefits. I haven't used the battery operated (or even current generation corded), but if they "kept with the program", they are likely work checking out. They can still be used with the extractor with the BT provisioned gear, too, even though there's no power cord.

They have , really good sanders in 3 pad configs. - the only real drawback (besides high price) is the batteries only fit the sanders. The bluetooth trigger is quite convenient, and though Makita has the same tech - it's not promoted and the sander is meh at best.



festool tends to have excellent dust collection so I may try to track one of those down in person.

You shouldn't have any trouble in Portland. There's a Woodcraft and a big machinery dealer down by the river near the airport. Barbo is the name I think.





Okay I checked out both the 18 volt and the 12 volt Bosch sanders, any experience with either. I have both systems. Also anyone with experience with the Makita sander would be helpful. The Makita sander does appear to be top-heavy.

I've got the bosch 12v and demoed the Makita 18v. No comparison in my view. Makita is a dog. It's only claim to fame was it was first to market in it's class, which makes no difference now.



The new cordless Bosch that appears to be a Mirka clone is super nice.

Which sander is that ? I haven't see anything closely related between brands. Mirka's only battery sander(s) are the small rotary polishers.

[Bryan Hall]

Well after checking in on a few reviews, that bosch does look pretty darn good. Just checked at Lowes up the street from me... military discount plus they are throwing in a free battery and charger so I'm fully set up for $116. I think I'll give it a shot and see if it's good enough.

Plus... the wife is thrilled to have a new cordless sander. She likes sanding, just doesn't like cords. I'm more than happy to set her up!

[Tom Bussey]

For clarification only. I have both the Bosch 12 and the 18 volt systems. I do not, nor I have held in my hand a Bosch battery powered sander. Replies from anyone having any experience with either would be helpful.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I've got the bosch 12v and demoed the Makita 18v. No comparison in my view. Makita is a dog. Thanks!
You saved me some money finding out.
All my cordless is Makita & I'm going to be looking at a new 5" ROS in the future.
I had wondered how the Makita cordless was.

[Richard Coers]

I was looking at a 3" Rigid cordless belt sander that Home Depot has on sale. Had the idea it would be perfect for a quick touch or quick leveling of dovetails. I had to laugh reading the reviews. One guy complained about battery life when he started sanding his deck! No kidding it got hot and took a long time? I think as long as your expectations are realistic about battery life, any of them should work well.

[Bill Dufour]

I have to ask don't batteries make the tool heavy and hard to move around? I thought sander design was going to light weight so it glides around easy. Lots of long smooth overlapping passes. Especially on non-flat surfaces.
Bill D

[Jim Becker]

Bill, that's a good question and yes, it's a compromise between the convenience of cordless with the potential increase in weight. That's probably more noticeable on vertical surfaces, of course. On the other hand, the tools natural weight isn't a terrible thing for the actual sanding operation on the flat...

[Jamie Buxton]

For me, a very very important feature for a sander is dust collection. When a sander is connected to a vacuum, it works better b cause the sandpaper is not floating on the sanding dust. And, of course, my lungs work better.

So what benefit is the cordlessness when you’re still dragging the vacuum hose around?

[Richard Coers]

For me, a very very important feature for a sander is dust collection. When a sander is connected to a vacuum, it works better b cause the sandpaper is not floating on the sanding dust. And, of course, my lungs work better.

So what benefit is the cordlessness when you’re still dragging the vacuum hose around?
People do have downdraft sanding tables in their shop, and then you don't have to drag a cord or hose.

[Bryan Hall]

The point of this sander is to serve as a backup that can go to jobsites easily. Having a cordless option for touchups is really nice as opposed to having the cord and needing a vacuum. My mirka doesn't even have a dust bag so it's impossible to sand without a vac. No, the battery cannot replace a nice corded unit, but there are times when I'd much rather use cordless for a short while than try to run cords all over a jobsite.

I've got to admit, I have given the bosch a shot and it's quite nice. LONG battery life and MUCH quieter than the old dewalt jobsite sander. I sanded 30 cabinet doors as a test and it still had 3/5 battery lights. The attached dust bag did a pretty good job. A fan and an open shop garage door handled the rest.

[Tom Bussey]

I bought a Bosch 12 V sander last night. I checked out the 18V sander in the store also, I was kind if leaning toward the 18 V. But it was heavy toward the back and it was harder to keep flat The back wanted to dip. I have a couple of 12 V drills and drivers so I have have another charger and battery.

I will take it for a spin today and let you know what I think.

[Kevin Adams]

Tom, please let us know what you think. I’m eyeing that model as well. What size battery will you use? I’ve read the regular 3 amp gives a very short amount of time, so you need to go with the 6 amp, which is a bit heavier.

Thanks.
Kevin

[Tom Bussey]

I got the 12 volt sander and a battery and charger came with it. I tried it out today with 120 grit paper and 150 grit paper. I have several batteries so length of time is not an issue. I love the sander. the weight distribution is prefect. It is the best sander I have ever used. The dust collection was very good. The bag is the easiest to take off and put on that I have ever seen. I imagine how well it collects is how well and often you empty the bag. It can be connected to a vacuum hose but if you have to do that why not just stay corded but a $1000 corded Festool or get a different hobby.

Again I really like the sander. I plan on buying more of them.

[Kevin Adams]

Thanks, Tom, was that the 3 amp battery you used? I have a few of these 12v batteries as well, I’ve just heard the run time is very limited, like 10 mins. The 6 amp provides more time, but increases the weight so not as friendly to use. Always a trade off. I really like the Bosch 12v series, too.

Thanks.
Kevin

[Tom Bussey]

Yes, the battery life can be an issue. I got more run time that 10 minutes but it just stops when it is dead. It also slows down a little before it stops. The sander didn't get hot and I just switched batteries. The sander stops right now when the switch is turned off, no spin down. The grit of paper does effect the battery life a little. The finer the paper the smoother it runs. I noticed it ran smoother with 120 than 100 and even smoother with 150 grit paper. I tend to notice how even a corded sander tends to run smoother with finer paper. I just mentioned it because it might effect battery life, I don't think it has much of an effect but it was an observation.

The onboard dust collection worked as well, if not better, that other sanders I own or have used. It is the easiest filter I have ever seen to remove and clean.

So after using it all day yesterday in the shop and changing batteries twice, I Find the my opinion hasn't changed, I really like (love) the sander. I changed between 100 grit, 120 grit and 150 grit paper several times through out the day and came to the conclusion that since I do not like changing paper back and forth I will stay corded for 100 grit and 120 grit for now and go battery for 150 and above for now. I do not power sand much at 180 grit and only hand sand at 220 and above. so that also inters into my evaluation. I was working in pine yesterday and have a couple hundred more linear feet of 1 x 8 to sand today. So I will get back latter with what I find. Usually I smooth my hard wood with a cabinate scraper and don't usually don't start sanding with anything coarser that 150. I did sand some hard Maple and liked how it performed.

Again I have 5 or 6 extra batteries so battery life is not a problem for me. It did play an important part in the decision to buy that particular sander. Again I have a drill and driver with the Bosch 18 volt system so I was leaning that way because Lowes was offering a free 4 amp hour battery with it for $10 more. But I didn't like the balance with the battery installed.

[Kevin Adams]

Thanks for the write up, Tom, sure looks like a winner and definitely on my list.

Kevin

[Dave Sabo]

I have to ask don't batteries make the tool heavy and hard to move around? I thought sander design was going to light weight so it glides around easy. Lots of long smooth overlapping passes. Especially on non-flat surfaces.
Bill D


That depends . The 18v sanders from the big boys like dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee , ect…..with the battery on top get really heavy ( and unbalanced ) when a 4.0Ah & 5.0Ah pack is used. A 2.0Ah pack is lighter but run time is compromised and the tipping point is still high.

The Bosch and Festool units use a smaller and lighter pack that’s mounted lower. It’s still makes for a tippy sander but it’s more manageable ; especially when a vac hose is used.

re: non flat surfaces…………………a 5” disc sander really isn’t the tool for that job - regardless of power source.

[Bill Dufour]

Yesterday at Habitat I bought a Porter Cable variable speed belt sander. Corded it weighs 10+3/4 pounds. I thought it was worth $30.
Bill D

352VS

[Tom Bussey]

I used it all after noon yesterday sanding pine. It did a great job. Pine tends produce a lot of sanding dust and I didn't find any traces of dust. If dust is a problem for you I see no reason to go battery because you would need to have a vac hose so I would just stay corded.

For what it is worth I really like the 12 volt Bosch sander. I plan on buying another one fairly soon.

[joseph f merz]

https://www.toolnut.com/makita-xob03z-18v-lxt-lithium-ion-brushless-cordless-1-3-sheet-finishing-sander-aws-capable-tool-only.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&msclkid=ece0d26ffa351ae07314b0da0f8e0842&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*Shopping%20-%20Medium%20-%20Branded&utm_term=4578984923217703&utm_content=Catch%20All .picked up this .very impressed. certainly is agressive remover . love it .picked it up so i could get out of having a shelf of expensive boxes of every size sandpaper for new brand . these are just basic flat paper torn in 3rds .i can get this paper at ace hardware . have not come up with hose adapter to hook it to a vacuum .it does do a very good job though of putting the dust it makes in the bag . just something new .

[Tom Bussey]

That looks like a handy sander also. There are times when one wants to get into a square corner. I have the Makita 18 volt system also. I will take a look at it

[Dave Sabo]

https://www.toolnut.com/makita-xob03z-18v-lxt-lithium-ion-brushless-cordless-1-3-sheet-finishing-sander-aws-capable-tool-only.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&msclkid=ece0d26ffa351ae07314b0da0f8e0842&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*Shopping%20-%20Medium%20-%20Branded&utm_term=4578984923217703&utm_content=Catch%20All .picked up this .very impressed. certainly is agressive remover . love it .picked it up so i could get out of having a shelf of expensive boxes of every size sandpaper for new brand . these are just basic flat paper torn in 3rds .i can get this paper at ace hardware . have not come up with hose adapter to hook it to a vacuum .it does do a very good job though of putting the dust it makes in the bag . just something new .

Makita sells the adapters - you need 22mm to …….. ?

they call them “cuffs”.
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/417765-1

frankly , their whole dust port system is retarded.


this hose is the best solution I’ve found:
https://www.amazon.com/Cen-Tec-Systems-95578-Antistatic-Adapter/dp/B08PDQJMSS/ref=sr_1_5?c=ts&keywords=Vacuum+Hoses&qid=1656247231&refinements=p_89%3ACen-Tec+Systems&s=vacuums&sr=1-5&ts_id=3743711

[joseph f merz]

Dave ,That was great info .Cuff is coming . I am concerned about burning up my big extractors if i neck the 2 1/4" hose down to 1" of flow .

[joseph f merz]

thankyou great help .ordered the cuff to fit my festool mini .
though it needs a small cordless vac dedicated to it for my work .

[Dave Sabo]

thankyou great help .ordered the cuff to fit my festool mini .
though it needs a small cordless vac dedicated to it for my work .

they got those too!

https://www.makitatools.com/products/tools/cordless/18v-lxt/dust-extraction





Wouldn’t worry about the size of the hose too much on your shop vac.

[Bryan Hall]

I gave the Bosch 18v and the 12v a shot side by side. Both are great, but the balance and weight savings on the 12v were impossible to deny. Both are excellent sanders but I'll be keeping the 12v.