Ceros-mirka questions

[JHC]

I am in the process of buying a ceros sander to add to our line up and have a few questions.

Different size pads are interchangeable with the ceros correct?

For using the abranet mesh discs which back up pad is required? We have several hundred feet of 1x4, and 1x6 pine straight from the mill that will get sanded and primed in shop.

Looking for feedback on a set up to remove a good bit of stock, there is chatter and general unevenness from the mill, as well as knot holes to be filled and sanded.

I thought about investing in a decent drum sander but think I would like to have a portable sander we can make use of elsewhere.

 

[fidelfs]

Do you mean change from 5 to 6 inches?  If that so, No, that is only for the Mirka "Deros" and it is NAINA.  

The Ceros can be used out of the box, but it is recommended to have a Pad Protector, multi hole for vacuum sanding.  If you don't use the hooks won't last much on the Ceros pad.
The Pad protector is a consumable and it is about 13 dollars.  It is a set of 2.

Abranet has 2 types, regular and Abranet HD.  The HD looks like more a regular sandpaper with holes. It is not a mesh and it is not as flexible as the mesh.
If you go the Ceros route I suggest the 6 inches to cover more with the larger stroke (Mirka MIM68020CAUS CEROS 6-Inch Random Orbital Sander).

The other 5 and 6 " models have a small stroke and they are more for regular and finish sanding.  (Mirka MIM65020CAUS CEROS 6-Inch Random Orbital Sander and Mirka MIM55020CAUS CEROS 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander)

All of them have the same price.  I also contacted Mirka and they don't sell the sander alone.  I was thinking to buy a sander and use the same power converter and save some money.  They sale all the set.  The new ones come with T-loc systainer.

 

[JHC]

Thanks for the reply. Any word on when the deros will be available in NA? They also got rid of the transformer with it as well didn't they?

 

[fidelfs]

I called this week to Mirka in USA and they told me they don't have any time line.  They have to get approvals, change design (Deros is 220V) to make it work with 110, etc.

This post has some differences between the Ceros and Deros: http://traditionalpainter.com/mirka-deros-2013

Yes, there is no more transformer. That is good or bad depending how you see it.  The transformer takes 110 and 220 as well and makes it DC. That is why is available in USA and the Deros is not.

http://www.mirka.com/en/TOOLS/Electric_Sanders/?productgroup=&product=MIRKA+DEROS650CV+150mm+ORBIT+5%2c0___MID6502011

In the mean time I am enjoying this sander, this is how sander should be made.  I also found a little adapter to make it work with my festool ct22.  http://mirka-online.com/mirka-tools-accessories-1/mirka-finishing-sanders-and-accessories-1/mirka-sander-accessories/miscellaneous-accessories/100-1-25adap-mirka-vacuum-adapter-for-mirka-sanders.html

 

[BUTTER]

I bought a 6" Ceros recently, and have been using it with a 5" pad on a refinishing project.  The problem with this is that the shroud for 6" does a lousy job of collecting dust from 5" pad.  After some cajoling and winkwinknudge, I was able to get Mirka to send me a 5" shroud.  I later saw another replacement shroud that they make for 5/6", so there is a workaround.  The other problem with using the 5" pad on a 6" sander si that the counterweights a designed for a heavier pad.  Tech told me a smaller project wouldn't be a problem, but longer term use would damage the unit.  It is also possible to buy heavier 5" pads to make up for weight difference.

All this said, I LOVE the Ceros!  I appreciate its light weight and how aggressive it is.  The 5mm stroke is the same as the ETS150/5 and the RO150, but it can crank up to 10,000 rpms.  I usually use it at 8k for easier control.

Like I said, I have to use a 5" pad on this one project, but I generally believe 5" to be a waste, and that 6" is much more efficient.

 

[fidelfs]

I am tempted to get the 6" with 8mm stroke for rough sanding.

 

[JHC]

So I ordered the 6" with a 5mm stroke instead of the 8mm so we could use it for things other than rough sanding. I may end up getting an 8mm da to use in shop exclusively anyway. Thanks for the input guys, really helped my decision making.  [wink]

 

[avrs22]

I love my Mirka, best sander I ever used. After around a year and a half of heavy use and probably 1000 abranet disc it still work like new.
For stripping staircases I use the ro 90 and ro 125 up to 80 grit then the mirka takes over and finishes the job.
At the shop on new wood work its always the mirka that gets used.
Did I say I love my mirka?

 

[Richard D.]

I have been very happy with my 5" which is right for me because I do a lot of curved work. As with any orbital sander it excels at flat work and the dust collection on the Ceros is second to none (with my Midi extractor). I have switched to Autonet disks from the Abranet because they are 2/3's the cost and I don't notice a difference in performance. I  contacted a Mirka rep some years ago about the difference and he didn't know of any other than marketing.

 

[avrs22]

My dealer told me  autonet is not the same as abranet and that autonet will color the wood.
.......I think he just wants to keep selling me abranet.
I should try some autonet