Random Orbital Sander vs. Finish Sander

[@alfredomarquez9777]

After years of owning and using a "good", "standard" Random Orbit sander (I have an old Bosch PE-12AE) I decided to try one of the newer, more powerful ones. I have seen those from Festool, Bosch and Makita. the differences are several: First, those are way more powerful, averaging 700 watts against the common, run-of-the-mill ROS around half that amount or 380 watt only. The second difference is the much larger orbit (like 1/4" versus only 1/8"), And the third and largest difference is the availability of a much powerful GEARED ROTATION or FORCED rotation mode, sometimes called "Turbo". In this mode, the pad is forced to rotate by gears, together with the excentric motion. That gearing, plus the more powerful motor makes these new sanders way more versatile and fast to work on larger surfaces. Suppose you have to sand a large piano, or a dinning table for 8 people... that kind of work cannot be realistically tackled with a small puny sander! But with these sanders, you can fast sand them in the geared turbo mode, and then switch to the random orbit mode without forced rotation, thus achieving both powersanding and fine polishing with the same tool. As the Festool is too expensive for me, I bought the Makita BO-6050. It is not as finely balanced as the Festool, but it seems to have a stronger built than the Bosch, and is like a wild horse!: Very strong but needing you to use the lateral grip and hold the tool with both hands at all times. Having variable speeds is a must, as sanding plastics, fiberglass and auto finnishes is only possible at lower speeds. I've been able to successfully polish some scratched auto windshields too. After using my Makita BO-6050, it is no way back to smaller and weaker sanders for me!

[@topsaw]

Great insight

[@wiseoldfool]

Finally I've learned why I might need to run a sander at a slow speed! Thank you! I just bought an AEG variable speed random orbit sander today after watching this video.

[@MrTPF1]

I have been using a ¼ sheet sander for decades on everything. Never had any complaints about them, and I like the way I can get right into corners and along edges with them. As long as you select the proper grit and move up through the grits, it's fine. Also, you have to keep the sander moving no matter which one you chose or you're going to get grooves and unevenness.

[@topsaw]

Very true

[@bakewelltl]

I’m often astounded by the collective knowledge of the global community. Thanks for the concise comparison, which not only helps me with a current project but will allow me to inform other woodworking warriors.

[@topsaw]

Thanks for the kind words

[@vikassm]

Cool video! I setup the random orbital with 120-180, the finish sander with 320 and finally a hand sanding block with 600 for a super simplified workflow. For anyone trying to decide, buy a sanding block first and then move up to either machine. P. S. NEVER use an angle grinder to sand or cut wood. At the very least it will mess up the wood. But mostly it ends up gobbling up a finger or worse.

[@topsaw]

Great idea and good way to efficiently get it a perfect finish

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

The combination of both your nice video together with the feedback comments helped me make the right choice. If I had to choose one, I would go with the finish sander, because there is never any harm in taking too long, whereas going too fast can quickly lead to irreversible damage. Thanks! 👍

[@topsaw]

Very well said

[@Dennis-kj9qx]

Shout out to the woodshop Teacher ! My high school teacher inspired me for life.....

[@topsaw]

Good to hear

[@boowiebear]

One benefit I could see for finish sander is doing an edge sand, say end grain of a board, where you want to maintain a sharper corner. RO seems to round over easier.

[@AlexC80]

Thank you for the video. I bought the square one. I watched the video to see if I was missing something on the circular one. But I think I bought the best option (It fits on any square space,that’s a big advantage )

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@mkbnett]

Thanks for this great video! I was trying to figure out which Dewalt sander to buy for an upcoming project and thanks to your informative video, I know which one fits the project best. (Orbital) Gratitude for sharing your knowledge & experience!

[@ShawnsterVideos]

Excellent lesson. I use a Craftsman ¼ sheet finish sander on everything. So, I never knew that it cut slower than a random orbital, would.I may buy a RO, now, just to save some time with my first few passes at sanding projects. Thanks.

[@jamess5399]

subscribed based on the introduction 10/10 - still have to give you time to hear the content BUT getting the wood and working it is dope

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@galaxytrio]

Thanks for showing the random's mechanism. So interesting!

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@mykolashatkovskyi8817]

Simple, but great video. It feels like you're a teacher in some woodworking school ;-) Thank you!

[@topsaw]

Thank you, I am

[@PadmaDorjee]

Great explanation between the two plus some useful sandpaper tips, Thanks.

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@SweatLaserXP]

I do finish work on boats, and I've actually found that the finish(sheet) sander seems to remove more teak per second compared with a high quality DA sander. It just seems to plow through material faster compared to the dual action. One explanation may simply be that the sheet sander has more oscillations per second than the DA.

[@topsaw]

Makes sense

[@cynthiaherndon4480]

When I had shop class - we used a wood block and some elbow grease.

[@topsaw]

I miss those times

[@ermharriable]

Man I feel like I was taking a college wood shop course. Thanks!

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@GB-go6gp]

Dang, what a teacher ! Teach during the week and on weekends (judging from your forearms & paws), rips trees from the ground so students have wood... badass. My question is this: I've had a brand-new Dewalt R/A sander for 6 years, with less than 30 mins run-time. The reason is: Every time I want to use it, it sands whatever it wants, and I look like Steve Martin trying to polish that car in "The Jerk". How do I keep my R/A from jumping around like House of Pain ?

[@topsaw]

Maybe 2 hands and not much pressure

[@Caderic]

"...brand-new Dewalt R/A sander for 6 years..." You sound like me LOL. But the first thing that came to mind for me was less pressure. Worked in a cabinet shop for a while and it's real easy to put to much pressure. If it's not removing enough wood, courser grain.

[@balimaxbike9487]

complete comparision as i need.. thankz a lot mate..🙏🏻

[@topsaw]

Good to hear, thank you

[@andre1987eph]

Great instructional video, teacher. Thanks.

[@topsaw]

Great to hear, thank you

[@gabesaldivar]

Great explanation for beginners. Thank you very much.

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@Czarina888777]

You seem like a really cool teacher. Good job on the tutorial. 👍🏽

[@kaistudio8229]

Thanks teacher😬 after i saw your video i think i will go for random orbit for good investment

[@topsaw]

Good plan

[@akaltaf]

I wish. I could be your student. You seem like someone who has a heart of a teacher. May I ask what school do you teach wood working.. Enjoyed your session immensely..

[@DivideandConquerAnti-WEF]

I should have watched this video first I ruined my cabinet door with the random sander. Thank you!

[@topsaw]

Sorry to hear it

[@davidndahura7437]

Good video but what is better to invest in one.

[@topsaw]

If I only had one if get an orbital

[@raymondchow8722]

You are the opposite of Gordon Ramsay in a good way. When I watched Ramsay cook, I felt like destroying the kitchen afterwards. After watching your video, I just want to go make my wooden furniture smooth :)

[@bradleypennington19]

why would you say that about Gordon Ramsay, he is a sweetheart and full of passion... has put together many families and marriages especially on Kitchen Nightmares

[@myscape8843]

thank you for sharing. grateful.

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@copperheadfishing7258]

Very informative and well spoken. Nice vid.

[@WhatTheFixes]

Great video. I found what I was looking for and more. Mainly wanted to know if I were buying one, which of the two to choose. Orbital sander! Thanks

[@topsaw]

Glad to hear it

[@dianaharrison2280]

Thanks for a truly informative video

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@MrMega200]

While I understand you say the quickness of the orbital sander is faster than the finish sander; it isn't according to your video here. I timed it and they both took off relatively the same amount of pencil(orbital looks more due to you starting towards the center of the board). I've used finish sanders all of the time and never had this impression. You also have to consider that the finisher sander is more inexpensive to change since you can just use regular 9x11" sandpaper. Which isn't hard to cut and fit. You just have lazy students.

[@MusiqTruth]

Well done video and I love your voice! It’s so relaxing lol thank you for putting the time into this instructional video.

[@Swenser]

I bought a Ryobi and returned it right away after seeing that the orbital sander just vibrates like a mouse detail sander and doesn't rotate at all. Apparently some orbital Sanders are like that. The Ryobi rep said try the new upgrade model. Not sure what to expect. I think just a big design failure. Surely they should rotate if being called an orbital

[@topsaw]

Sanding is my least favorite thing of wood working, anything that makes it better seems worth the additional money

[@dashizl]

your voice is soothing

[@topsaw]

Thanks

[@bobbybattle3345]

Thank you!

[@topsaw]

Glad it was helpful

[@Craziork]

thanks for the video!

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@chrisunderwood7954]

Dang! Shave those knuckles caveman! Liked the video. Thanks.

[@topsaw]

Need to spend more time blacksmithing to burn that hair off

[@yozy4996]

Very informative video.. Thank you.

[@topsaw]

Thank you for the feedback

[@skeeterbait5333]

Good instruction but I’m still searching for guidance on setting the speed on a Dewalt random orbital sander. Owner’s manual says personal preference which is not helpful for a novice like me.

[@topsaw]

Speed is much like the grit of the paper. Start by setting it in the middle range, if your taking to much off, slow it down, if you want to take more off, go faster. Depending on the type of wood and finish wanted.

[@skeeterbait5333]

Thank you so much for your kind & helpful reply. I value your expertise which overshadows my lack of experience.

[@Caderic]

@@topsaw I learned something myself! Thank you.

[@loretta9478]

Very informative, thank you!

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@michaelhaines2844]

Always when I have purchased velcro style sanders the pads don't last long and the sand paper falls off leaving me frustrated. Are the hook and loop a better quality than Bosch?

[@topsaw]

You have to replace the Velcro pad every large box of sand papers. They are easy and inexpensive to replace. The hook and loop seem to hold up the best, all of the brands seem pretty similar for the pad.

[@bobherobrine3415]

Wood working got me like

[@topsaw]

Good

[@Ludmila2508]

it works great

[@topsaw]

Good to hear

[@benc1927]

My dwalt Random Orbital sander just stopped working, just makes electrical noise when pressure is applied. But it runs fine when it is held mid air.

[@topsaw]

I think it might be the drive belt. Not too hard to replace

[@pangelo4023]

Thank you, great video!!

[@Santosh-xy6tk]

Thanks for the video. very informative

[@citic101]

I am sanding a kitchen work tops , what sand paper should i use to take the finish off and then clean the wood ??

[@topsaw]

Start course like 120, and move through the grits ending at 220 or so

[@redbaron2448]

Can you use random orbital sander on a car to sand primer down?

[@topsaw]

Not too sure, I'm really more woodworker.

[@ishusolanki3585]

Can i use orbit sander to polish, rubbing my car & for floor cleaning also?

[@topsaw]

Not sure, I wouldn't try it on my car

[@andre1987eph]

@@topsaw 🤣

[@terrybaumann7658]

When you get into the higher fine grits will the random orbit sander be as nice as the finishing sander? Just worried about swirl marks. I know they remove a lot of material faster but not sure how they are finishing. Great video. I'm a new subscriber I just found your channel.

[@topsaw]

The random orbit can put a really nice finish on with fine grit, it doesn't leave circular marks because of it eccentricity. One key is not to hold it down to hard.

[@terrybaumann7658]

@@topsaw thanks

[@sethlogan9724]

Awesome informative video. Got myself a nice Skilsaw circular saw to cross cut pine boards. Making some cases. I need an orbital sander as well. What grit do you suggest I use on the edges? Once everything is assembled I'd like to sand the joints to make everything clean/lined up. Maybe 220? Man, last time I took woodshop @ school was in 1991. Time flies. :D

[@topsaw]

Usually start with 150 grit to 180 and finish with 220, a lot faster to start course and move your way up through the grits

[@sethlogan9724]

@@topsaw Thanks. I'm buying a variety pack of sandpaper that has those grits and more. I appreciate the help.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Thanks man!

[@johnboyd1148]

Nice video, maybe you can answer this question for me . I am not sure my orbital sander is working right. When it is on should I be able to stop it from spinning with just one finger ? When I put it on a flat surface it stops spinning but it still moves in a random pattern.

[@topsaw]

I think the drive belt might have stretched out over time. Easy to replace.

[@johnboyd1148]

That is what I was thinking but mine is very similar to your sander and there does not have a drive belt.

[@JoeSainf]

Do both vibrate

[@topsaw]

Yes,

[@lagawtanyo8634]

This is how Jason Statham do vlog..

[@topsaw]

Is he a woodworker?

[@jayrev9553]

Informationally great video

[@resipsa8343]

Faster does not provide quality work or results. Ignore those comments and go moderate speed.

[@snazzypants57]

where do handheld belt sanders fit into the mix?

[@topsaw]

Belt Sanders are the most aggressive and take of the most material and give you the worst finish, you always have to clean up with an orbital or finish after a belt.

[@mikeingeorgia1]

I used to install kitchens. We would use belt sanders primarily to rough up the existing cabinets in the event the customer wanted to keep them and have laminate put on. They left a rough surface which was exactly what we needed when we applied the contact cement.

[@jimmcdiarmid7308]

Nice

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@stevemathews5129]

This is difficult without a picture, but what would cause a series of vertical grooves if I was sanding a cedar plank with a finish sander, always going up and down with the grain? I was using 320 grit paper.

[@topsaw]

Not sure, did you try changing the paper? Maybe the sander itself is not oscillating correctly.

[@1111comment]

We gotta get your talking speed up to an orbital sander

[@topsaw]

See what I can do

[@andre1987eph]

@@topsaw I play most videos at 1.75 speed anyways

[@enriquelopez5696]

Sounds like Steve o talking lol

[@topsaw]

I've heard that a few times before

[@blackbeard9436]

Nice video. But definitely please pause before unscrewing something. Or you can use head/chest mounts

[@watsonmeling1589]

still both sander are very noisy. im looking for more silent type

[@topsaw]

Not sure where to find a quieter sander, I like hearing protection with blue tooth for music

[@mikeingeorgia1]

You gotta get those from Class III dealers lol

[@m3vol82]

Until 6 mins I haven’t seen the real effects of the sanders. Too long the opening is, making you want to switch to another video that is within 5 mins. I would suggest you mix the long verbal introduction with some operations. Just a little time consuming... but thanks for the video

[@topsaw]

Very good feedback, I'll work on making the videos more succinct. Thank you

[@truest5430]

Thanks! From a lady. 😜

[@topsaw]

Thank you

[@JoelWetzel]

Nearly half-way through and the only differences are the RO is quicker and has easier to change paper. I'd stick around for more but I have some growing grass to watch.

[@topsaw]

Ok

[@a.m.1298]

3x+1

[@topsaw]

Good video

[@nawazishkhan537]

Hello donald trump. Is that you behind the camera?

[@topsaw]

Ok

[@fiddleronthebike]

finish sander without dust collection 🧐 - most stupid thing I can imagine!

[@BRENDANTHERED]

Almost as stupid as your comment! I doubt anyone's died from not using a dust collector... people have been woodworking for thousands of years without dust collection.

[@fiddleronthebike]

@@BRENDANTHERED thank you very much for teaching me! Until today I did not know that sand paper and electric sanders where in use for thousands of years - I thought in the old days people made sleek surfaces with hand planers and cabinet scrapers... I also thought many woodworkers became sick from dust since dust is existent in woodworking... You live and learn...............

[@BRENDANTHERED]

@@fiddleronthebike Clearly you cant read that as its not what i said. Believe it or not, sandpaper has been used for thousands of years however, just not in its present form. They used to use shark skin and also certain typed of horsetail. ( a plant) Glad you were able to learn something. A better approach may help.

[@fiddleronthebike]

@@BRENDANTHERED you missed the point... again... have you ever heard the word pneumoconiosis (f.x.)? It was a common disease in some professions for long time - and there was NEVER EVER so much dust in any shop like it is possible with modern power tools; on the other hand back then there was no choice to have or avoid dust, today we have dust protection which sucks away almost 100%. So it is a good idea to use it. You may get that or not, it's up to you. Either way this discussions ends here for me, it's too stupid

[@BRENDANTHERED]

@Pass the Spider The new palm sanders have a punch used to punch holes in the paper so that the sanding dust can be removed.