Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Wood Care: => Topic started by: farooq12 on December 22, 2018, 01:02:08 pm
-
Hi,
I am finding a good sander for my personal use.
Last time I bought a china one and it was pathetic.
I just checked here http://beltsanderadvisor.com (http://beltsanderadvisor.com) that Makita 9903 is a nice one.
Whats your suggestions.
Thanks.
-
I still like the little Black & Decker 'Mouse' sander for small jobs.
https://www.argos.co.uk/search/mouse-detail-sander/
-
Belt sanders are good for big bits of wood, but way too aggressive for small work.
What do you intend to do with the sander? DIY, modelmaking?
-
Just ordered one of these
https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-aw130bd2-belt-disc-sander-501255?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8_Hd-8Sz3wIVCp3tCh2YzQ2eEAQYAyABEgK7ZfD_BwE
Should be delivered 27th - and at £79 should be good enough for my needs :-)
Regards
Ray
-
For general DIY work and some model making, I would recommend a Random Orbital Sander. It can remove larger amounts of wood quickly (like a rotary sander does) but will not dig in and leave groves.
The mouse sanders are first class for detailed work.
If you want to use a belt sander for smaller work, you should make yourself a jig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHA_FCGF2p0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHA_FCGF2p0)
Or at the very least, get one that can be mounted upside down on the workbench, with purpose made clamps. I will see if I can dig out a picture.
As for Chinese tools being low quality. I think 99% of all tools are made in China now. Even the big brands like Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, etc. Which is why so many of them are identical except for the casing.
-
Just ordered one of these
https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-aw130bd2-belt-disc-sander-501255?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8_Hd-8Sz3wIVCp3tCh2YzQ2eEAQYAyABEgK7ZfD_BwE (https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-aw130bd2-belt-disc-sander-501255?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8_Hd-8Sz3wIVCp3tCh2YzQ2eEAQYAyABEgK7ZfD_BwE)
Should be delivered 27th - and at £79 should be good enough for my needs :-)
Regards
Ray
Excellent choice for model making. I almost bought one this week for cabinet making.
-
This is the belt sander I have, it is flat on the top and has holes for the clamps in the casing. A simple compromise.
It also have variable speed, which is important for finer work.
NB I don't use it for modelling.
-
Here is another kind of combination sander, using a bigger belt than the one above. Better for bigger pieces but not so good for detail work. However, the circular sanding part is very good for small pieces, and great for sanding edges square to the face.
-
TT's compact home missile launcher {-)
-
This Rigid oscillating belt/spindle sander was a major purchase for my shop but its been a real timesaver for my boat builds.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/8009479107?iid=202325165928 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/8009479107?iid=202325165928)
-
I am finding a good sander for my personal use.
It really depends upon what your application is?
You won't go wrong with Makita, I've used their tools professionally for years and never had an issue. I have the 4'" version of the one that you'd identified and it's brilliant, albeit a little large for most model making...
One of the most useful tools I've ever purchased was a Makita "Filing Sander" - https://www.axminster.co.uk/makita-9032-filing-sander-310193
(I'd used Black & Decker versions for years but got through so many because the quality was so poor...)
Hope this helps,
Mark
-
It really does come down to what you are going to use the sander for. The title of the OP says sander for home. With a little more information about potential uses, we could offer better advice.
I cannot get it out of my head that a belt sander (as it comes out of the box) is not very versatile, large and perhaps too aggressive for many uses. For general DIY, if I only had one sander it would be a 1/3 sheet orbital sander like the one below.
-
I find that through the year lidls generally do one of every type of sander available (except perhaps a spindle sander) so I have one of each.
-
The Aldi tools I bought have also proven to be solid.
I don't think you can go wrong with Lidl or Aldi stuff for the price.