My finishing technique varies greatly according to the timber. If I can hand plane to finish I will. If the grain is to wild I may use a cabinet scraper and finish sand with the grain. But if it's a big job and time is not on my side I will scrub level with a smoother, skim out the planer marks with a rectangular orbital sander and finish with the Dynabrade orbital 150mm dia. Hook and loop discs.
I discovered this brand working for a specialist woodshop in Tacoma. They made interior cabinetry for Delta marine, the luxury yacht builder.
They used lots of veneer over honeycomb core panels. Fiddly. Very little meat to finish sand safely. There was a selection of air orbitals on the shelf. Some were okay, some were garbage and the favourites we fought over were the Dynabrades.
They run smooth so you don't get carpal problems. They are light and don't freeze your hand from the cold compressed air.
The motors are cartridge types. Easy to replace in minutes. Very solid motors they are too. Keep the lube up to them and you can get six years out of one motor. You can replace the vanes or the whole motor.
Excellent quality, reasonable price.
Made in the USA.
I prefer the silver model. The newer one is a bit of a disappointment but it's okay for the coarser grits.
I like the 3mm orbit. Body shops cut with the 5 and finish with the 3.
It's the only sander I have ever used that I like. Honestly, i hate sanders and sanding but this one ? Two thumbs 👍 👌.
In praise of the Dynabrade air orbital sander.
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