Mirka Ceros Sanders ?

[iamnothim]

Has anyone tried Mirka Ceros electric sanders?
I've heard they have a bit more aggressive orbit stroke.  I've watched Charles Neil use them.  He likes them a lot.

I have an RO90 that I love that machine.  I also own an ETS 150/3 which I'm "so so" on.  I picked the short stroke for finishing but it seems I could use a 5mm stroke most of the time.

So the next one is probably an RO125 (3.6mm in Orbit mode) but perhaps a Mirka 5mm Orbit, (but lacks the rotary mode).

Maybe I'm all wrong about the sanding stroke thing.

 

[duburban]

I now have 2 ro150s. I think they are that good. Last time I rented a floor sander it was out of adjustment and we ended up RO sanding the floor to get out hard edges. I knew at that moment there was another ro150 in my future when there were 2 of us and just one rotex.

The rotex would use the same paper and not only give you a 5mm stroke but a far more useful rotex mode which opens up buffing possibilities in addition to hardcore efficiency in lower grits. slap a hard backer on there and bam…

ps. mirkas do look great and the abranet paper is an asset

 

[iamnothim]

I now have 2 ro150s. I think they are that good. Last time I rented a floor sander it was out of adjustment and we ended up RO sanding the floor to get out hard edges. I knew at that moment there was another ro150 in my future when there were 2 of us and just one rotex.

The rotex would use the same paper and not only give you a 5mm stroke but a far more useful rotex mode which opens up buffing possibilities in addition to hardcore efficiency in lower grits. slap a hard backer on there and bam…

As I said,  I might be all wet on the stroke thing.  Before you posted I looked up the RO125 and it's spec'd at 3.6mm Probably not a big deal.  That said in the 5"/125mm the ETS125 is only 2mm.  Not sure that would give me the utility I'm looking for.

Thanks for your perspective.  It all helps.

EDIT:  Oops.... you said the RO150.

 

[itchy]

I have a Mirka Ceros (5mm orbit) and think its amazing, it's very comfortable to use for extended periods and is very fast at sanding. Some have mentioned the transformer being cumbersome but for me I'd rather have the weight sitting in the box then in my hand. Most people on here don't sand without a dust extractor so it's no less cumbersome than carting that around. I also have an RO 150 and RO 90 that I use for aggressive sanding/stripping. If it's a finishing sander you're after with a little more oomph I would recommend the Ceros, but as always you really need to try them out.

 

[shed9]

I couldn't make my mind up when buying new machines recently, it was a toss up between Mirka or Festool. I was really impressed with the brushless design and Abranet media of Mirka but I eventually went for Festool mostly due to the rotary features of the Ro's. You can use Abranet with the Festool sanders but I've heard of issues of the pad wearing down prematurely due to the nature of the media itself. If you go the Mirka route, the Deros would be a good choice as well as it offers two pad sizes, has 5mm orbit and loses the transformer (although I agree with itchy that I'd rather have the weight in that than the handset). Also the Deros comes in a Systainer - not really a reason to buy a machine but it helps with integration.

Personally given your investment into Festool I would go this route (as I did) although I would say an Ro150 would be a better compliment to an Ro90 than an Ro125 as the difference in pad size is really not that significant.

I currently use an Ro90, Ro150 and an ETS150/3 and find that offers a good mix from finishing to maximum material removal.

 

[wow]

I currently use an Ro90, Ro150 and an ETS150/3 and find that offers a good mix from finishing to maximum material removal.

Well said, shed9.

I have the exact same 3 sanders you listed. I think is the trifecta of the Festool line.

In fact, they're such a perfect combo that they oughta consider a promotion offering all three with a DE at a special price...

(Note to Festool Marketing department. You're welcome - and yes, I can be hired as a consultant...and paid in tools!  [big grin])

 

[gippy]

You can use Abranet with the Festool sanders but I've heard of issues of the pad wearing down prematurely due to the nature of the media itself.

When I bought some Abranet discs it was advised to buy an interface pad to go between the sander and disc to stop the sanders pad from wearing out too quickly. I bought a 'fits every sander perfectly' pad, the hole pattern doesn't match with my 5" Bosch ROS so negating any dust collection benefits. Oh well, Santa has my letter asking for an ETS 150/3 already  [smile]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I had the Mirka Ceros - I didn't like the power brick, the clumsy cord and the nozzle that didn't quite fit with my Festool vac hoses.

But, Mirka introduced the Deros - a very small, lightweight brushless that allows me to change between 125/150 pads, takes pretty much every kind/brand of paper available and fits the vac hose without modification. I could not believe how small and agile it was when I got it, the Systainer almost feels "empty" and it does a really fine job.

With the introduction of the new Festool sanders I think Mirka Deros has the advantage of being cheaper, taking all brands of paper, allows for dual sized pads. Handling is great on both alternatives with a slight nod to Festool for being a bit more "substantial" to work with.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

PSA: Not trying to hijack the thread but feel it's important to share with our members. The Ceros is under a recall for those who own one.

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Mirka-Recalls-Compact-Electric-Random-Orbital-Sanders/

 

[iamnothim]

But, Mirka introduced the Deros - a very small, lightweight brushless that allows me to change between 125/150 pads, gile it was when I got it, the Systainer almost feels "empty" and it does a really fine job.

It seems Mirka is learning from Festool.  The Mirka "Deros" 5650CV  that supports 150/125 pad size is...... (Drum Roll)..... Not Available in North America.

The only 120V Deros model I found were fixed at 125mm or 150mm.  I could not determine if you could retro purchase the pads.  The descriptions are pretty explicit.  However $230 was not a bad price and the Festool DC hose fits the Deros.

 

[iamnothim]

OK.
I just finished watching Mirka's video on the Deros sanders.  Looks great BUT, the paint removal demo was not impressive.  An orbital just won't standup to the RO125/150 rotary mode when it comes to removing paint.  This was obvious from the video....IMO the RO's are superior to the Mirka.  Certainly for paint removal.  I do love the weight and ergonomics of the Deros.

Now if I could only get an RO125 with a 5mm stroke.

Thought:  It would be interesting to see a controlled test of sandpaper life.  Paper vs Abranet. Garant vs Rubin, etc.  Weigh the workpiece before and after.  Use a device to apply uniform pressure to the sander and run until the pad is gone.  You'd see what paper lasted the longest for a specific medium and what the life is.

Go 3:12 into the video to see the paint removal performance.

 

[iamnothim]

Real nice video, except you can't buy one.