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Anyone Using these Random Orbital or Pneumatic Sanders

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I am just sort of looking at these 2 sanders. I am wondering if they are any good? Would they make sanding any easier on bowls and flutes? easier on my hands??? The arthritis is not good right now.

Check the links out and give me your honest opinion.

Thanks in advance. (I want something that will help me ...not just another tool)

PROS-web2_grande.jpg

PROS Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander
Introducing PROS our new, Premium, Pneumatic Variable Speed–Random Orbital Sander. We continue to have tremendous success with our other Random Orbital Sander model, but have decided to offer this premium edition as well. A sample unit was sent to me and all I could say when I tried it was WOW...
woodturnerswonders.com

20181219_181744_grande.png

PROS Mini Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better. We have been asked for this in the past and now it is a reality. Our Mini PROS is the most aggressive sander you will have the pleasure of putting into the palm of your hand. It weighs barely a pound and is made with the latest technology...
woodturnerswonders.com
 
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I have (and use) both of them ... they perform exactly the way Ken Rizza says they should. Just make sure your compressor has adequate capacity ... my 20 gallon / 210 psi compressor has a hard time keeping up.
 
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Oh wow. My compressor is small.I have used it for a small die grinder and it did well but I guess this is another animal lol. My main thing I hoped for in this tool is that it would maybe a tad easier sanding the flutes I mostly make.I wouldnt being doing these for hrs. on end.And I do an occasional bowl. Does the Pros Mini do pretty good? Does it feel good in your hand? The other one I think might would be a tad big for me.....not sure....Im 63 and have average size hands ..just arthritis in my right hand ! Thanks for your input!
 
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Oh wow. My compressor is small.I have used it for a small die grinder and it did well but I guess this is another animal lol. My main thing I hoped for in this tool is that it would maybe a tad easier sanding the flutes I mostly make.I wouldnt being doing these for hrs. on end.And I do an occasional bowl. Does the Pros Mini do pretty good? Does it feel good in your hand? The other one I think might would be a tad big for me.....not sure....Im 63 and have average size hands ..just arthritis in my right hand ! Thanks for your input!
Both are definitely comfortable in the hand, and running at 90psi, they are powerful. I'm 73, and have small hands.
 
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I have the top one but when I asked Ken he said he used the mini. My compressor is set for 90 also. I have found it to not be as aggressive as a 2 inch electric and by turning the speed down gets downright slow but does the job for me. I do not switch it the 2 inch pads and only use 3 on it. Like any sander if you use it for long periods you do need to take a break for the sake of those nerves in the hands, but it is comfortable.
 

Roger Wiegand

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I've recently acquired the Grex angle sander http://grexusa.com/grexusa/products.php5?id=AOS368 which is a wonderful tool as long as the air lasts. Extremely smooth in operation and near perfect ergonomics for me. Like most pneumatic sanders it sucks a lot of air and my single stage 60 gal compressor can't come close to keeping up. So I sand for 3-4 min and then take a break. With a sufficient air supply it would be a perfect tool.

I also have the arbortech random orbit attachment for an angle grinder. The small head is perfect for getting into smaller spaces and it works great. Using it on a big, clunky angle grinder is a pain though. Would love to see that head set up with a little palm size brushless motor head like the one on my DEROS sander. Since it is electric it never runs out of air. The disks attach mechanically, haven't figured out whether it can be converted to velcro. Changing the sandpaper is a step back to the bad old days.

For me these two tools have made off-lathe sanding a reality. I keep hoping my compressor will eventually give up the ghost so I can get a much bigger one!
 

Tom Gall

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If possible, do a search for a small electric version (I've meant to do that for years but never did)....I believe Metabo has/had one in their lineup years ago. As Roger stated....electric never runs out of air! Also, wouldn't you rather run a quiet fractional HP motor than a noisy 2 to 7.5hp big honkin' compressor? Lower utility bills! :)
 

Mark Hepburn

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I've recently acquired the Grex angle sander http://grexusa.com/grexusa/products.php5?id=AOS368 which is a wonderful tool as long as the air lasts. Extremely smooth in operation and near perfect ergonomics for me. Like most pneumatic sanders it sucks a lot of air and my single stage 60 gal compressor can't come close to keeping up. So I sand for 3-4 min and then take a break. With a sufficient air supply it would be a perfect tool.

I also have the arbortech random orbit attachment for an angle grinder. The small head is perfect for getting into smaller spaces and it works great. Using it on a big, clunky angle grinder is a pain though. Would love to see that head set up with a little palm size brushless motor head like the one on my DEROS sander. Since it is electric it never runs out of air. The disks attach mechanically, haven't figured out whether it can be converted to velcro. Changing the sandpaper is a step back to the bad old days.

For me these two tools have made off-lathe sanding a reality. I keep hoping my compressor will eventually give up the ghost so I can get a much bigger one!


Roger, I agree with you on the Grex. It's really well made, compact and although an air hog does a great job. I like mine quite a bit. I'm using a smallish California Air Tools compressor and it cycles on a lot but it's pretty quiet so not too bad. Still I have to let it catch up fairly often.
 
Joined
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Roger, I agree with you on the Grex. It's really well made, compact and although an air hog does a great job. I like mine quite a bit. I'm using a smallish California Air Tools compressor and it cycles on a lot but it's pretty quiet so not too bad. Still I have to let it catch up fairly often.
A guy that sells the Grex says it is good on the higher grits but not on the low ones.Says it doesnt have any torgue .
 

Mark Hepburn

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A guy that sells the Grex says it is good on the higher grits but not on the low ones.Says it doesnt have any torgue .

True. I should have mentioned that. But it's a great finish sander for sure.
 

Mark Hepburn

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I also have one of these that I prefer to the Metabo (which I had). Cost under $40 on Amazon, variable speed with a chuck so I can switch sizes. If it breaks I'll throw it away, but it's over 5 years old and still works well. More comfortable than it looks and you can put an extension on it for deeper vessels or tighter spaces. I really don't mind its noise with the dust collector going and it's not that loud anyway.

It can run a bit on the warm side after a bit of use so I stop after about 10 minutes, but since my hand surgeries, that's about all I can stand anyway.

IMG-1121.jpg
 
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I have a sander very similar to the Neiko...the blue one at Woodturners Wonders...It is a good one but is too big or isnt the right "fit" or shape for my hands for the most part. I was looking at the pneumatic ones holding it might be easier on my hands..I know this is a big maybe.No more than I would be using it I won't use that much electricity either .I have a right angle drill also. Thanks guys!!
 

Dave Landers

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it's over 5 years old and still works well
Wow. I had two of those. One lasted a bit over a year, the other not even that long.

For the money, it's a bargain, even for a year's use. But it just didn't fit my mindset to think of it as a "consumable". And I couldn't bring myself to keep buying them, knowing they were destined for the landfill. Also didn't appreciate my sander going dead in the middle of a big bowl.

I'm currently using a Milwaukee which is a lot more $, but if it lasts it's worth it to me. only a year old yet, so time will tell....
 
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Hmmmmmmmmm I have emailed Woodturners Wonders and they said they can't remember one of them failing.They had a few that people didnt oil and it gave some of them trouble. But they were able to help them get them running again. There is a 1 yr warranty on both of them.Which one did you have Dave? Thanks for yours and everyone's input.I am on uncharted ground for me!

I have bought several things from them and they have been great on customer service and answering all the ?s I have.
 
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Hmmmmmmmmm I have emailed Woodturners Wonders and they said they can't remember one of them failing.They had a few that people didnt oil and it gave some of them trouble. But they were able to help them get them running again. There is a 1 yr warranty on both of them.Which one did you have Dave? Thanks for yours and everyones input.I am on uncharted ground for me!
I don’t think he is talking about the woodturning wonders sanders.
He is talking about the Neiko tool I believe.
I’ve had mine for two years and works great, although I do have a 60 gallon compressor.
I have run in on a wheel barrow type Emglo compressor and it will slow down on continual use. so diffidently not for a small compressor. But no air sander works good on a small compressor, they use some of the largest volumes of air of any air tool.
 

Roger Wiegand

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A guy that sells the Grex says it is good on the higher grits but not on the low ones.Says it doesnt have any torgue .

How much torque do you need to spin a 2" disk? It's a finishing tool not a stock removal tool. It's plenty aggressive for my use. Others may well be more powerful, I find this tool particularly comfortable to use.
 
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I have been using electric 5" and 6" random orbital sanders for more than 20 years primarily on the out side of turnings because I have the machines.
I have not tried the smaller random orbitals but I do wonder if it is any better than the random action of a disk turned by a Souix angle drill or its different color clones and the subject of the sanding rotating.
 

Mark Hepburn

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Wow. I had two of those. One lasted a bit over a year, the other not even that long.

For the money, it's a bargain, even for a year's use. But it just didn't fit my mindset to think of it as a "consumable". And I couldn't bring myself to keep buying them, knowing they were destined for the landfill. Also didn't appreciate my sander going dead in the middle of a big bowl.

I'm currently using a Milwaukee which is a lot more $, but if it lasts it's worth it to me. only a year old yet, so time will tell....

Dave,

I think that Milwaukee looks like a much better tool than the Metabo. I've a lot of their cordless tools and have been using them for years with great results and zero battery fails so far. Maybe it's time to add a new toy, er, tool to my shop. :)

Edit: I just looked at one of the photos on Amazon and it shows all metal construction inside. Time to pull the trigger. Pardon the pun.
 
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Roger Wiegand

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I have been using electric 5" and 6" random orbital sanders for more than 20 years primarily on the out side of turnings because I have the machines.
I have not tried the smaller random orbitals but I do wonder if it is any better than the random action of a disk turned by a Souix angle drill or its different color clones and the subject of the sanding rotating.

with a ROS it is much easier to get a swirl-free finish when off-lathe sanding. Haven't tried it on the lathe, my ancient Sioux angle drill does that just fine.
 
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The woodturning wonders has all metal gears. The red one has plastic. Keep it blown out after using a few times and it will last a long time! Mine had so much grease in it; I cleaned it out and repacked it with a good synthetic grease.
 
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How much torque do you need to spin a 2" disk? It's a finishing tool not a stock removal tool. It's plenty aggressive for my use. Others may well be more powerful, I find this tool particularly comfortable to use.

Agreed...And - I have used mine with 60 grit at times. Just lighter touch, and no problem. But, you would want to use a lighter touch in general while using 60 grit, no matter what the sander is, wouldn't you?
Additionally, I own the PROS from Woodworkers Wonders, and the his electric angle sander, and the Grex ROS air driven angle sander , and the PROS from WW is nice, but I MUCH prefer the more natural pistol grip of the Grex. Further - the narrow build of it allows me to get into a lot of places I cannot with the WW PROS palm sander. And - Grex makes extension shafts to get into even tighter spots.
 
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Dave,

I think that Milwaukee looks like a much better tool than the Metabo. I've a lot of their cordless tools and have been using them for years with great results and zero battery fails so far. Maybe it's time to add a new toy, er, tool to my shop. :)

Edit: I just looked at one of the photos on Amazon and it shows all metal construction inside. Time to pull the trigger. Pardon the pun.
I have an original Sioux (black with steel gears) that still works despite a couple teeth missing in the main bevel gear, the Milwaukee red one that would work except for the crappy switch and the blue one from WTW, which is starting to sound like the gearing is going bad. That design would be a little more versatile if supplied with a small (shorter than the chuck) collet chuck.
 
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I have an original Sioux (black with steel gears) that still works despite a couple teeth missing in the main bevel gear, the Milwaukee red one that would work except for the crappy switch and the blue one from WTW, which is starting to sound like the gearing is going bad. That design would be a little more versatile if supplied with a small (shorter than the chuck) collet chuck.

You might want to take the blue one apart and re grease the gears. It flings the grease out and eventually your running on dry gears!
 
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I have a couple of the Neiko angle drills - mine have metal gears. I took them apart, degreased the housing and gears, put a heavy coat of paste wax on them, and they run and run and run - the little dust build up blows right out.

I know folks are partial to expensive tools, but HF has a 2” RO pneumatic sander for~$30 that works pretty good as a finish sander.
 

Steve Worcester

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How much torque do you need to spin a 2" disk? It's a finishing tool not a stock removal tool. It's plenty aggressive for my use. Others may well be more powerful, I find this tool particularly comfortable to use.

The problem is you have to use a real lite touch or it just stops.
I have one, quit using it for that reason
 

Roger Wiegand

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The problem is you have to use a real lite touch or it just stops.
I have one, quit using it for that reason
Hmmm-- Mine doesn't. Perhaps you have a defective unit? Do both the macro and micro motions stop? Sometimes the disc stops rotating on mine, like on all random orbit sanders, but the small sanding orbit continues almost no matter how hard I push it. Having the disk spin intermittently is how the randomness in the sanding action is achieved in a ROS AFAIK.
 
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