Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

Re: Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

David Galloway

>Lot of the guys at Highland Hardware swear by this sander. I have one and like it. I'm still partial to the old Sioux.

Re: Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>I reported on this some time ago in an article on sanding devices that was posted here and printed in More Woodturning. Here is the most pertinent section:

3. Electric Right Angle: Metabo. The Metabo SXE400 is like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going. Not really surprising, except after one spends a lot of time listening to an air compressor try to keep up with sustained use of an air sander, the Metabo is appreciated in its ability to keep going as long as the cord is plugged in. The head does get noticeably hot during extended sanding, though not excessively so. It has a 2 amp motor, and a 1/8 inch orbit diameter. There is a thumb wheel conveniently located at the back upper edge that allows for electronic speed adjustment from 5 - 10 thousand oscillations per minute. I find the unit noticeably noisier than the pneumatic Sioux, and both heavier (3.3 pounds) and bulky (10.75 inch long) compared to all the dual action air sanders. It does have the advantage of a built in dust port, that allows connection to a shop vac system. Its thin rubber backing pad, which extends forward clear of the motor housing, allows the sander to get into some narrow spaces like grooves or near a chuck body. Like with the other units, the pad can be thickened and tuned to just the right compliance by addition of Innerface pads. If you don�t have an air compressor (or only have a very small one) or if often find yourself engaged in sustained sanding, this is the random orbit model of choice for the woodturner.

Re: Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

Roger Dunn

>Thank you both David and Lyn for your help. I tried a search but didn't find your earlier post Lyn. So do you use the Metabo more than the Sioux?

Roger Dunn

Re: Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Here's the whole ROS section of the article.

C. Random Orbit/Dual Action

A random-orbit (also known as dual action) sander combines the eccentric movement of an orbital sander with the rotation of a disc sander. Most have variable speeds in the range of 4000 to 7000 on the bottom end and 12000 OPM on the top. Their simultaneous spinning and oscillation is both efficient and results in a surface generally free of rotary marks. I�m not sure why, but my experience and the reports of others has been that the dual action sanders remove wood faster than their rotary counterparts. Related to this, some have reported that these sanders are superior at more even wood removal, displaying less differential removal between seasonal rings. On most woods, random orbit sanders will show only faint swirls at grits as course 150 and are virtually swirl free at grits above 220. Personally, since I started using dual action sanders, I rarely use rotary powered sanding. I much prefer the experience, have fewer sanding caused defects, and feel I achieve a better surface finish using the dual action sanders.

1. Electric small ROS: Porter Cable/Makita/Dewalt. These units are available in 5 and 6 inch disk sizes, the smaller is usually the better for woodturning purposes. Their shape usually allows for either a �barrel� or �palm� grip, which means you can hold them over around the body or over the top. Orbit diameters for the Makita are 1/8 inch, Dewalt and Porter Cable are 3/32. Weights tend to range from 2.5 to 3.5 pounds. Most give the choice of canister or vacuum hose dust removal. Porter Cable offers a thick �Contour Cushion Pad� that allows for better conformity to curved surfaces, as do �Do-Nut� Innerface pads, though I usually find the standard pads work just fine on larger forms. I use a Porter Cable 333VS �Quicksand� (the Dewalt 423 is very similar) and find it to have lots of applications to woodturning, particularly on large architectural items, large bowls and minimally contoured vases. This is one of my favorite power sanders for woodturning.

2. Electric Large Right Angle ROS: Porter Cable/Dewalt/Makita. These are the more powerful big brothers to the sanders discussed above. They tend to have slower top speeds (sometimes as low as 6000 OPM) and higher weights (6.5-7 pounds). Most have a side handle, which really helps deal with their size. If you regularly make huge bowls, these can be less tiring than the smaller models. However, for most woodturners, the size and weight of these units will be very limiting.

3. Electric Right Angle: Metabo. The Metabo SXE400 is like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going. Not really surprising, except after one spends a lot of time listening to an air compressor try to keep up with sustained use of an air sander, the Metabo is appreciated in its ability to keep going as long as the cord is plugged in. The head does get noticeably hot during extended sanding, though not excessively so. It has a 2 amp motor, and a 1/8 inch orbit diameter. There is a thumb wheel conveniently located at the back upper edge that allows for electronic speed adjustment from 5 - 10 thousand oscillations per minute. I find the unit noticeably noisier than the pneumatic Sioux, and both heavier (3.3 pounds) and bulky (10.75 inch long) compared to all the dual action air sanders. It does have the advantage of a built in dust port, that allows connection to a shop vac system. Its thin rubber backing pad, which extends forward clear of the motor housing, allows the sander to get into some narrow spaces like grooves or near a chuck body. Like with the other units, the pad can be thickened and tuned to just the right compliance by addition of Innerface pads. If you don�t have an air compressor (or only have a very small one) or if often find yourself engaged in sustained sanding, this is the random orbit model of choice for the woodturner.

4. Pneumatic Right Angle: Un-labled ROS�s available through Packard and Craft Supplies. These are likely Asian clones of Sioux or Ingersoll-Rand designs. I�m not sure if the CS and Packard models are identical or just close cousins. The sanders have an orbit diameter of 3 mm (approximately 1/8 inch), and come standard with 2 inch Velcro mounting pads, with a 3 inch available as an option. The option of mounting pad sizes gives them an edge over the Sioux Pistol grip and Metabo that are limited to a 3 inch pad. These no-name units are the noisiest of the ROS (both electric and air). The sound is not just louder but higher pitched than the Sioux, making ear protection desirable. Both �no name� sanders have a free speed of 15,000 opm, and while some variation in speed can be achieved, it is less easy to do than on other units. I find the paddle arrangement awkward, where it has a lever which must be manipulated to free the variable speed paddle. They both have a weight of approximately 1.4 pounds. Despite being 1.5 inches longer overall than the Sioux the overall contours of the unit, coupled with the 2 inch pad make this the best ROS for use inside smaller bowls, boxes, and semi-enclosed forms.

5. Pneumatic Pistol Grip: Sioux calls this their Micro Random Orbital Sander. It is a two finger trigger, variable speed, dual action sander that weighs only 1.3 pounds. The trigger has a very nice action, and is much easier to use than the lock-out lever style of the �no-name� units. It is 4.3 inches in overall length. Free speed is up to 15,000 rpm, but it has a speed control/regulator that can reduce that. To my knowledge, only a 3 inch Velcro pad is available. I�ve found this unit lower pitched and quieter than most. It is very smooth in operation and remains cool, making it particularly comfortable to use over extended periods. It is easy to adopt either a one or two handed grip. This is my preferred unit for external sanding and likely would be my favorite overall unit if it offered the provision of a two inch pad.

6. Pneumatic Dual Action Palm Sander: There are several varieties of these tools, which are particularly popular in the auto body and production woodworking shops. One of the models most available and suited to the woodturner is the 3 inch Dynabrade. Like the other pneumatic sanders, the Dynabrade is small (it is less than half the size of the Metabo), and light (1.4 pounds). The compact size of the sander helps to get into tighter curves, but the combination of its 3 inch pad, its lip seal shroud, and the location of its air hose hook up can keep it from getting to all of the internal areas of smaller bowls and semi-enclosed forms. This, in my opinion, really restricts it to external use, or the interior of large open bowls.

The Dynabrade is unusual in that it can be ordered in your choice of 3/8, 3/16 or 3/32 inch orbits. The orbit path is how far side-to-side the eccentric cam displaces the pad. The smaller the path, the smaller the swirls. I think most turners will be satisfied with the mid range 3/16 inch version, which is the one I have been using. However, if you often work with dense or highly figured exotics that readily reveal lines, you might want to go with the 3/32. The Dynabrade is quiet (the second quietest sander I have, coming in only after the Sioux), and has a low profile and center of gravity (being only 3.5 inches tall). This translates into good control. Like most pneumatic palm sanders it has a top mounted paddle that on this unit offers excellent speed control�virtually from 0 on up to over 10,000 opm. A soft rubber coating on the housing allows for a comfortable, secure, one handed grip. This is clearly an outstandingly well made unit, that when the time does come for maintenance can be easily and inexpensively refurbished.

Re: Metabo 3 1/8" ROS

Greg Jensen

>I would recommend using the Performance Abrasives "Donut Innerface Pads" with any random orbital sander. I use the 1/4" white (medium) pads. They have hooks and loops on opposite sides with a hole cut out in the middle. This gives you a "Sweet Spot" so you can put the disk in direct contact with the work rather than having to ride the outside edge of the disk, which stops the random orbital action. They also run much cooler.

The Metabo sander works very well. On the inside of a deep bowl you will not be able to sand the bottom because the housing will hit the rim of the bowl. If you remove the dust port you can get a little deeper.

Greg Jensen

Thanks all for your help

Roger Dunn

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