Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Pascal Oudet

>Arch, I don't have any clue about ROS, but just wanted to let you know I'm glad you're back. I am missing you and your musing on RCW (and I'm not the only one).

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Arch

>Hi Pascal, Your kind words are both appreciated and reassuring. Ninety five viewers without any other answers, I wonder if my questions were unwelcome, inappropriate or if I don't bathe often enough.:) merci mille fois, Arch

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>Arch, I sometimes use a palm sander on the outside of vessels that have difficult to remove sanding scratches. Works very well. I start with 320 then 400 then 600. I use it with the lathe turned off, but turning the piece slowly using the hand wheel.

Wally

Arch...check this out. *LINK*

Jay in Ohio

>Arch,

Here's a review Lyn J. Mangiameli did previously. There's some good info in it.

~Jay


Lyn's Sanding Article, Part 2

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Arch,

Like Wally, I have used a ROS on the outside of a bowl. One of the reasons that is does not work very well with the lathe running, is that the rotation of the bowl overcomes the inertial force that causes the orbiting of the ROS, i.e. it does not work very well.

The other reason the I stopped using one very much, was that I was already using my Milwaukee Close Quarters Drill to do the inside of the bowl, and since I have that out and working anyway, I just use it all over. Put first grit on, do the outside, do the inside, and then move to the next grit. Using a seperate sander for the outside was a waste of time, plus I had to keep extra sandpaper around.

Mark

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Russ Fairfield

>One of the Fein sanders that is made for getting into the corners of flat work can be a useful tool for sanding the INSIDE of a bowl. It isn't a true random-orbit action, but it can be better than a rotating sanding pad for getting a smooth surface on a troublesome wood that wants to show its scratches in the end-grain. (Walnut comes to mind)

Besides being better quality and having a more aggressive sanding action, the real advantage of the Fein over similar tools by Ryobi and Bosch is that it can be used for long periods of time. The others will make your hand numb is less than a minute.

The only modification required will be to cut or grind the triangular shaped sanding pad with the thick rubbed backing into a round shape. The result will be a round sanding pad that is about 2" diameter.

I also have found the Palm Sander to be useful tool, and better than the ROS, for sanding the OUTSIDE of bowls, and getting a better finish on the same troublesome woods. Mine is the P-C "Sanding Block".

I wouldn't recommend purchasing either tool as the answer to all of our sanding problems. But, if you have'em, use'em.

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>As has been said, an ROS gets defeated if you're sanding on the lathe with the piece turning under power. I therefore use an orbital sander on the exterior of the bowl, and find its scratch pattern to be almost invisible. I work it up through the grits, vacuuming with a brush well in between changes, to 6-800. NFG on the inside, however, where it's close-quarters drill or hand-held.

Your mileage may vary.

Re: Random Orbit Sanding; Worthwhile?

OB O'Brien (Near Pensacola, Fl.)

>Hi Arch; Glad to see your here.

In answer to your questions. I use a converted automotive pneumatic ROS. One of the cheapies with the 6 inch rubber disc. I cut the disk down to 3 inches and glued some Velcro on it to hold the sanding discs I have on hand. It works fine but is heavy to hold for long periods of time. I find it works best on the outside of bowls with me turning the bowl on the lathe by hand.

Hopes this helps.

Cya

OB up in Pace, Fl