Right now, I've only got one hand sander and I use it for almost everything. It's a Dewalt D26453 variable speed RO with 3/32" stroke. http://www.dewalt.com/tools/woodwork...s-d26453k.aspx
It's OK. Of course, I have very little to compare it with although I've heard wonderful things about the Mirka Ceros but that's a pneumatic and I'm not sure my compressor has the breath for that. Anyhow, I battle swirl marks all the time. Normally, after stripping a piece of furniture, I sand with 180g - some with my RO and other spots by hand. Lots of times, I've got to drop down to 120 to clean up the surface before the 180. I've been reading opinions on swirl marks they are all over the place. I suppose they are caused by a multitude of problems - technique, the stroke of the sander, improper grit selection... It just seems like once I've got swirls, they stay. gradually increasing grit has little effect. So, I feel like they just need to be avoided period.
Anyhow, I've been considering buying a new "main" sander(electric) and I thought I'd stop in and get some opinions. The Festool 150/3 seems to be overwhelmingly popular. I found another thread on here about the Festool ls130 being great for taking out swirl marks however that one is a linear, not RO.
I think I mentioned once before about my skin being thick. If your opinion is that my sander is fine and the problem is the operator - fair enough. I was just hoping to hear "yeah that sander is junk, get a real sander and check back in".
Anyone care to weigh in?