DST RST 400 OS ROS What is the advantage?

[semenza]

Hi,

     With a lot of talk lately on the 400 sanders I have a basic Q  about them.  They are  orbital sanders right?  So why would one want a OS instead of a ROS?  ??? What is the advantage. Other than the delta or rectangular shape pad.  I would think that a ROS would simply be the better choice. Wouldn't an ROS combined with an detail sander be a better overall team than a OS? 

Seth

srs

 

[Eli]

I'm totally uninformed most likely, but I chose the RTS400 because it was very light and had square corners. I've got the Rotex 150 and I wanted something smaller that would let me get into the edges. I think I'm still getting the LS130, so I wanted to have the same paper size, but the DTS400 was very tempting. One of our super duper finishing experts might answer better than I, but at higher grits it doesn't make a difference to me what kind of pattern I'm using. I'd be sanding by hand otherwise.......

What do you mean by detail sander? I think of the 400's and the Deltex as detail sanders.

 

[ROb McGilp]

I concur with Eli, in the spaces we're talking about and at higher grits it doesn't seem to matter. The stroke on the DTS400 is only 2.5mm, so the chances of getting swirlies at 320 grit seem pretty small.

Regards,

Rob

 

[semenza]

I'm totally uninformed most likely, but I chose the RTS400 because it was very light and had square corners. I've got the Rotex 150 and I wanted something smaller that would let me get into the edges. I think I'm still getting the LS130, so I wanted to have the same paper size, but the DTS400 was very tempting. One of our super duper finishing experts might answer better than I, but at higher grits it doesn't make a difference to me what kind of pattern I'm using. I'd be sanding by hand otherwise.......

What do you mean by detail sander? I think of the 400's and the Deltex as detail sanders.

Hi,

      Yes, by detail sander I mean the Deltex. The 5" ROSs like the ETS125 are about the same size and weight as the 400s.  I am just trying to figure out the attraction of OS over ROS for all around finishing use. Perhaps Rob is right -at the higher grits maybe it doesn't matter.  I rarely go higher than 220 on bare wood.
      I just purchased the LS130. I havn't used it enough to really know how much I like it.. etc. I also have the ETS150/5. I am mostly getting used to the fact that the LS 130 is much less aggressive.  I will try to remember to post about the LS130 when it gets some more use.

Seth

 

[Eli]

Lucky man if you have the LS130 Seth. I loved that sander when I used it on lend to do some baseboard sanding.

 

[DavidW]

Seth,
An orbital sander is a lot less aggressive sander than a R/O. I use a small orbital mostly to sand between finish coats with less chance of cutting thru the finish. I will also use it on edges for more control and to keep from rounding over. My R/O 150-5 is my favorite sander for everything else.