Hello all been reading posts here for quite a while now and figured it was time to start asking questions.
I will start with a bit of background info first. I am a licensed tool and die maker by trade (18 yrs) but have had my own business installing hardwood floors for the last 7 years. I am NOT a carpenter by any means and don't have much time for hobby work so my tools are pretty much strictly used on the job. I install pre-finished hardwood and laminate floors only, I do not do sand and finish. I install basic stairs and the occasional medalion.
I recently had a taste of the green koolaide and it seems to go quite well with my obsessive compulsive personality. My first purchase was a TS55 and Midi package,then an MFT/3, then the OF1400 router and just the other day I bought the Universal Cleaning Kit (seemed like the best way to step up to a 36 mm hose). The next tool I am looking at is a sander. I want to try and do this in the most cost effective way possible.....hahahahahaha.....so I am looking at a one sander only option...hahahaha..yeah OK. My main purpose of this sander would be sanding down the occasional plywood seam or high spot in a floor, and possibly grinding down high spots in cement around a fireplace, for example. Right now I just use a cheapo belt sander for the seams and a chisel and hammer on the cement, neither are the perfect option but do get the job done. A proper edging sander like a Clarke Super 7R is what "should" be used on plywood seams but I can't justify the $2000 +++ price tag for the limited use I would give it. I was thinking a RAS 115 would do what I need, but my searches here haven't really convinced me of that yet. Anyone have any opinions on this.?? Thanks in advance.
On a side note, I have read a lot of posts concerning the cost of replacing bags for the vaccums and or using a dust deputy. I bought some spare bags when I got my Midi but what I have been doing is when one gets full I just take it outside and use my cheapo shop vac to suck it clean. It only takes about a minute to completely empty the bag. I am not sure if the pores of the bag will eventually clog causing a loss of suction but it seems to be working fine so far.
I will start with a bit of background info first. I am a licensed tool and die maker by trade (18 yrs) but have had my own business installing hardwood floors for the last 7 years. I am NOT a carpenter by any means and don't have much time for hobby work so my tools are pretty much strictly used on the job. I install pre-finished hardwood and laminate floors only, I do not do sand and finish. I install basic stairs and the occasional medalion.
I recently had a taste of the green koolaide and it seems to go quite well with my obsessive compulsive personality. My first purchase was a TS55 and Midi package,then an MFT/3, then the OF1400 router and just the other day I bought the Universal Cleaning Kit (seemed like the best way to step up to a 36 mm hose). The next tool I am looking at is a sander. I want to try and do this in the most cost effective way possible.....hahahahahaha.....so I am looking at a one sander only option...hahahaha..yeah OK. My main purpose of this sander would be sanding down the occasional plywood seam or high spot in a floor, and possibly grinding down high spots in cement around a fireplace, for example. Right now I just use a cheapo belt sander for the seams and a chisel and hammer on the cement, neither are the perfect option but do get the job done. A proper edging sander like a Clarke Super 7R is what "should" be used on plywood seams but I can't justify the $2000 +++ price tag for the limited use I would give it. I was thinking a RAS 115 would do what I need, but my searches here haven't really convinced me of that yet. Anyone have any opinions on this.?? Thanks in advance.
On a side note, I have read a lot of posts concerning the cost of replacing bags for the vaccums and or using a dust deputy. I bought some spare bags when I got my Midi but what I have been doing is when one gets full I just take it outside and use my cheapo shop vac to suck it clean. It only takes about a minute to completely empty the bag. I am not sure if the pores of the bag will eventually clog causing a loss of suction but it seems to be working fine so far.
