Difference in sanders - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Cutting Cathy · 02-03-2009, 01:53 AM

I hope this isn't the dumbest question ever posted!!! I have a Porter Cable block sander that I got a couple years ago that I use all the time.

block.jpg

A year ago I got an Amazon gift certificate for my birthday and they had a heck of a deal on a Porter Cable Orbital sander, so I got it. You know, one of those "I could really use this moments"!! Well, I have never used it. I'm almost embarrassed to ask, what exactly do you use an orbital sander for??

orbital2.jpg

I hope that I'm not the only person that buys something and lets it sit!! Thanks for any information!!!

minowevie · 02-03-2009, 01:58 AM

Hay my friend, you sure are not the only person that buys something and lets it sit. I love my orbitale sander. it is so easy to use. and doesn't leave any marks. just try it out. it doesn't just back and forth, it goes in cercales. and doesn't leave lines. nice sader buy the way. i will never go back to a ridgid sander. your friend Evie

Steviegwood · 02-03-2009, 01:59 AM

Hi Cathy, use it for all of the same things that you used the other one for. I have the Porter Cable orbital sander 5" SA disc and I use it all of the time I also have and used two Makita 1/4 sheet sanders like your block sander before getting the PC sander. Do you have the SA or HL disc on your new one? BTW they work great. Steve

azbison · 02-03-2009, 02:17 AM

Cathy, I've got the same orbital sander and I like it better than the quarter sheet for about 98% of my sanding. It's got more power, the disks are easy to deal with, and the dust collection ain't half bad.

However, for those times when I want to sand at 400 or 600 grit, they don't make pads for that for the orbital.

My 1/4 sheet blew up on me last year and I haven't dropped the cash to replace it yet. But I'm about to.

Cutting Cathy · 02-03-2009, 03:20 AM

Well I'll be darned I should be using this thing!!! Steve, it's a hook and loop. I think that's like Velcro isn't it?? I know we bought some disks for it, I just have to find them!! I'm going to try this baby out tomorrow night!!! Thanks guys!

JohnB · 02-03-2009, 04:28 AM

G'day Cathy,
The ROS sanders are great for flat work. The hook and loop paper fixing system is the best thing since canned beer. You can just change back and forth between grits of paper and use the same sheets over and over until they wear out.

Your Block / Palm sander I wouldn't discard though, as for sanding outside curves, and relieving edges etc it is unbeatable. As has been said you can also use much finer grits than are available for the ROS

lucky788scroller · 02-03-2009, 04:45 AM

WARNING CATHY!! You should not use that sucker!!! You should carefully place it back in the box, put it in a priority mailing box, and send it off to me. I will dispose of it properly for you.If you havent needed it before, chances are, you can get by without it anyways, so I will gladly relieve you of that burden!

ncsealeveler · 02-03-2009, 12:55 PM

I have both types and I use the 1/4 sheet more with psa paper in the finer grits.I do small projects and the da for me is better in the course sanding.Not sure about grits available for hook&loop.Tony

Rolf · 02-03-2009, 01:30 PM

I prefer the random orbital over my makita square pad. I use my RO for everything the rare times the other one comes out is as stated above fuperfine sanding and to get in the corners. AlthoughI have one of the Fein sanders now.

honeycow · 02-03-2009, 03:54 PM

I have an orbital that is shoved under the cabinet. I havent used it since I've been scrolling. I currently use the makita square palm sander. You can bet that I will dig it out now that I have heard from 'experts' in the field that they like it better. Thanks, everyone, Connie

02-03-2009, 01:53 AM	#1
Cutting Cathy Proud Grandma Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 565	Difference in sanders I hope this isn't the dumbest question ever posted!!! I have a Porter Cable block sander that I got a couple years ago that I use all the time. block.jpg A year ago I got an Amazon gift certificate for my birthday and they had a heck of a deal on a Porter Cable Orbital sander, so I got it. You know, one of those "I could really use this moments"!! Well, I have never used it. I'm almost embarrassed to ask, what exactly do you use an orbital sander for?? orbital2.jpg I hope that I'm not the only person that buys something and lets it sit!! Thanks for any information!!! __________________ Cathy in NE "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Anonymous

02-03-2009, 01:59 AM	#3
Steviegwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arthur, WV Posts: 2,146	Hi Cathy, use it for all of the same things that you used the other one for. I have the Porter Cable orbital sander 5" SA disc and I use it all of the time I also have and used two Makita 1/4 sheet sanders like your block sander before getting the PC sander. Do you have the SA or HL disc on your new one? BTW they work great. Steve __________________ If This HillBilly Can't Fix it Then it Ain't Broke!!! My Gallery steve03@frontiernet.net

02-03-2009, 02:17 AM	#4
azbison Jr. Sawdust Taster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 494	Cathy, I've got the same orbital sander and I like it better than the quarter sheet for about 98% of my sanding. It's got more power, the disks are easy to deal with, and the dust collection ain't half bad. However, for those times when I want to sand at 400 or 600 grit, they don't make pads for that for the orbital. My 1/4 sheet blew up on me last year and I haven't dropped the cash to replace it yet. But I'm about to. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jim DW788 My scrollin' blog The worst day scrollin' is better than the best day o' workin'

02-03-2009, 03:20 AM	#5
Cutting Cathy Proud Grandma Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 565	Well I'll be darned I should be using this thing!!! Steve, it's a hook and loop. I think that's like Velcro isn't it?? I know we bought some disks for it, I just have to find them!! I'm going to try this baby out tomorrow night!!! Thanks guys! __________________ Cathy in NE "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Anonymous

02-03-2009, 04:28 AM	#6
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day Cathy, The ROS sanders are great for flat work. The hook and loop paper fixing system is the best thing since canned beer. You can just change back and forth between grits of paper and use the same sheets over and over until they wear out. Your Block / Palm sander I wouldn't discard though, as for sanding outside curves, and relieving edges etc it is unbeatable. As has been said you can also use much finer grits than are available for the ROS __________________ 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

02-03-2009, 01:58 AM	#2
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,398	Hay my friend, you sure are not the only person that buys something and lets it sit. I love my orbitale sander. it is so easy to use. and doesn't leave any marks. just try it out. it doesn't just back and forth, it goes in cercales. and doesn't leave lines. nice sader buy the way. i will never go back to a ridgid sander. your friend Evie

02-03-2009, 04:45 AM	#7
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	WARNING CATHY!! You should not use that sucker!!! You should carefully place it back in the box, put it in a priority mailing box, and send it off to me. I will dispose of it properly for you.If you havent needed it before, chances are, you can get by without it anyways, so I will gladly relieve you of that burden! __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

02-03-2009, 12:55 PM	#8
ncsealeveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sea Level NC Posts: 266	I have both types and I use the 1/4 sheet more with psa paper in the finer grits.I do small projects and the da for me is better in the course sanding.Not sure about grits available for hook&loop.Tony

02-03-2009, 01:30 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	I prefer the random orbital over my makita square pad. I use my RO for everything the rare times the other one comes out is as stated above fuperfine sanding and to get in the corners. AlthoughI have one of the Fein sanders now. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

02-03-2009, 03:54 PM	#10
honeycow Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: new york state Posts: 112	I have an orbital that is shoved under the cabinet. I havent used it since I've been scrolling. I currently use the makita square palm sander. You can bet that I will dig it out now that I have heard from 'experts' in the field that they like it better. Thanks, everyone, Connie

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