Orbit Sander - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Chase · 01-12-2009, 08:54 PM

I'm thinking of buying a 5" orbit sander at Home Depot. Has to be bought there.

Here are the choices:

Ryobi
DeWalt vari speed
DeWalt sngl speed
Rigid vari speed
Milwaukee vari speed

Help and advice needed.

Chase

Right now I'm leaning towards the Milwaukee. I have a 1/3 sheet sander from them and love it. It's the industrial grade. Maybe that's the reason it has done so well over the years. Had it about 40 years.

JohnB · 01-12-2009, 09:41 PM

G'day Chase,
I don't have a clue about the Rigid but here in Oz, Milwaukee is considered Top of the Wazza, with Dewalt right up it's backside and Makita in third place.

Ryobi is a good quality handyman tool. I have one and had to replace the bearing in the plattern about 3 weeks after buying it and haven't had a problem since (about 3 years)

Personally I'd go for the Dewalt vari speed (Maybe the Milwaukee)

Variable speed is great as it allows you to sand rather delicate things at the lower speeds. When I bought the Ryobi, I couldn't see any sense in variable speed, but it was the only one they had, and I wouldn't get a single speed after having it.

minowevie · 01-12-2009, 09:45 PM

Chase, I have the dewalt sngl speed. and love it. but I do wish it was a vari speed. your friend Evie

Barefoot1 · 01-12-2009, 09:48 PM

Chase I have the DeWalt single speed and love it, don't know that I would really utilize the multi speed. I also have a Ryobi that I have had for years and it still works great as well. The only reason i have the DeWalt is they were giving them away when you bought the 13" planer. And who am I to say no to free tools!

azbison · 01-12-2009, 10:46 PM

I have the Porter Cable single speed and love it. It's the same as the Dewalt with a different color plastic.

Bill Wilson · 01-13-2009, 01:31 PM

I have the Rigid variable speed and am very satisfied. I'm not sure about the others you listed, but I wouldn't be afraid of any of them. I can hook the Rigid up to my shop vac without any special adapters.

I really like the VS feature. I didn't think I would use it much, but it really comes in handy when you don't want/need aggressive sanding.

tomsteve · 01-13-2009, 04:17 PM

dewalt or p.c. i own a p.c. and have used the dewalt. both good equipment. single speed.

JMay · 01-13-2009, 05:35 PM

I have the dewalt single speed and the only problem I have had is the hook and loop pad has started to peel away from the base.

lucky788scroller · 01-14-2009, 03:18 AM

I would say shop by feel. hold the sander in your hand and get a feel of it. You do not one thats to heavy, or uncomfortable to hold.Variable speed to me is well worth the extra money.Porter cable wasnt on your list, but I do think they make the most popular one out there.I have a Bosch, and although it works great and is comfortable to hold onto, it is heavy and that makes using it a chore.I have heard quite a bit of good comments on the Milwaukee 6021-21 so I would opt for that one from the list youve posted.

Chase · 03-23-2009, 05:47 PM

OK, got my sander. Milwaukee, 7000 - 12000 speed.

Now for the question. What speeds do I use for what functions, wood, etc.

Chase

01-12-2009, 08:54 PM	#1
Chase Seasoned WV Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia, Born/Raised WV Posts: 730	Orbit Sander I'm thinking of buying a 5" orbit sander at Home Depot. Has to be bought there. Here are the choices: Ryobi DeWalt vari speed DeWalt sngl speed Rigid vari speed Milwaukee vari speed Help and advice needed. Chase Right now I'm leaning towards the Milwaukee. I have a 1/3 sheet sander from them and love it. It's the industrial grade. Maybe that's the reason it has done so well over the years. Had it about 40 years. __________________ Chase---Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult. Visit my album @ http://home.comcast.net/~chasesmeeks...-by-Chase.html and click on the album link.

01-12-2009, 09:41 PM	#2
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day Chase, I don't have a clue about the Rigid but here in Oz, Milwaukee is considered Top of the Wazza, with Dewalt right up it's backside and Makita in third place. Ryobi is a good quality handyman tool. I have one and had to replace the bearing in the plattern about 3 weeks after buying it and haven't had a problem since (about 3 years) Personally I'd go for the Dewalt vari speed (Maybe the Milwaukee) Variable speed is great as it allows you to sand rather delicate things at the lower speeds. When I bought the Ryobi, I couldn't see any sense in variable speed, but it was the only one they had, and I wouldn't get a single speed after having it. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

01-12-2009, 09:48 PM	#4
Barefoot1 Wood Mauler Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Jordan Utah Posts: 822	Chase I have the DeWalt single speed and love it, don't know that I would really utilize the multi speed. I also have a Ryobi that I have had for years and it still works great as well. The only reason i have the DeWalt is they were giving them away when you bought the 13" planer. And who am I to say no to free tools! __________________ Thomas The Barefoot Scroller ~ Thomas@barefootwoodworks.com www.barefootwoodworks.com

01-12-2009, 10:46 PM	#5
azbison Jr. Sawdust Taster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 494	I have the Porter Cable single speed and love it. It's the same as the Dewalt with a different color plastic. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jim DW788 My scrollin' blog The worst day scrollin' is better than the best day o' workin'

01-13-2009, 01:31 PM	#6
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 591	I have the Rigid variable speed and am very satisfied. I'm not sure about the others you listed, but I wouldn't be afraid of any of them. I can hook the Rigid up to my shop vac without any special adapters. I really like the VS feature. I didn't think I would use it much, but it really comes in handy when you don't want/need aggressive sanding. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

01-12-2009, 09:45 PM	#3
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,398	Chase, I have the dewalt sngl speed. and love it. but I do wish it was a vari speed. your friend Evie

01-13-2009, 04:17 PM	#7
tomsteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 407	dewalt or p.c. i own a p.c. and have used the dewalt. both good equipment. single speed.

01-13-2009, 05:35 PM	#8
JMay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Port-Perry, Ontario Posts: 159	I have the dewalt single speed and the only problem I have had is the hook and loop pad has started to peel away from the base. __________________ Josh DEWALT 788

01-14-2009, 03:18 AM	#9
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	I would say shop by feel. hold the sander in your hand and get a feel of it. You do not one thats to heavy, or uncomfortable to hold.Variable speed to me is well worth the extra money.Porter cable wasnt on your list, but I do think they make the most popular one out there.I have a Bosch, and although it works great and is comfortable to hold onto, it is heavy and that makes using it a chore.I have heard quite a bit of good comments on the Milwaukee 6021-21 so I would opt for that one from the list youve posted. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

03-23-2009, 05:47 PM	#10
Chase Seasoned WV Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia, Born/Raised WV Posts: 730	OK, got my sander. Milwaukee, 7000 - 12000 speed. Now for the question. What speeds do I use for what functions, wood, etc. Chase __________________ Chase---Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult. Visit my album @ http://home.comcast.net/~chasesmeeks...-by-Chase.html and click on the album link.

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