Which sander?!

[Nickhead]

Hi Guys, still finding my feet with the forum so apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I'm after a bit of advise on sanders..

I run a shopfitting company and recently we are spending a bit of time cladding walls in MDF, and filling the joints to give us a nice flat finish to install wall frames etc.

We currently v grove the edges of the boards (approx 4-5mm v) glue and sometimes biscuit the joints depending on the condition of the wall behind and then two pack fill the joint. We then sand, re-apply more filler (if required) and finally fine fill with easifill20 if it needs any touching up.

the sanders we are using at the moment tend to create quite a bit of dust even when attached to an extractor so I was looking towards a taping and jointing (drywall) sander but it seems a little OTT for the relatively small joints we are doing.

I saw some impressive dust free sanding at a show recently from some of the festool sanders with midi CTL attached so think this the way to go... but which sander?!

also, if anyone has any other ideas for joining boards easier please let me know  [big grin]

 

[bobfog]

An RO90 in terms of size would be ideal, but it's probably the worst Festool sander in terms of dust collection. Maybe an RO125 would be better as the dust collection on them is superior to the 90, but obviously has a fairly larger head.

What paper do you use? Have you tried Mirka Abranet? It is a mesh type paper so the entire surface collect dust when attached to a vacuum, rather than just relying on a few holes in the paper.

 

[Nickhead]

currently using standard type paper on a 125mm sander.

i bought some mesh paper last week to try and see if its any better, i used some of the Dewalt mesh pads last year and they are good but only available in small packs and quite expensive.

Dust is a huge priority as we are working in trading stores full of clothes!

 

[ear3]

The dust collection on the ETS-EC or the regular ETS sanders is fantastic, so you couldn't go wrong there.  The question would be whether you want to go 150 or 125 size.  As already suggested you may want the 125 simply for ergonomics, since the lighter weight will not tire your arm quite as quickly for all of that vertical sanding.  If you're thinking about applying it to other projects, though -- especially if it involves sanding a lot of panels -- you might consider the 150 for the larger surface area and speed. 

 

[bobfog]

currently using standard type paper on a 125mm sander.

i bought some mesh paper last week to try and see if its any better, i used some of the Dewalt mesh pads last year and they are good but only available in small packs and quite expensive.

Dust is a huge priority as we are working in trading stores full of clothes!

I've also tried the Dewalt mesh paper, but it's not a patch on the Abranet stuff. Dust collection is a little poorer owing to a thicker mesh pattern and the quality of finish is nowhere near. If bought in bulk it works out about 50p a sheet. Whilst this isn't cheap, you have to offset it against man hours spent cleaning up and client satisfaction/future relations with regards to the clean manner in which you work!

 

[Nickhead]

Just checked and the pack I bought last week are the Mirka Abranet's.

I'll see how i get on with them.

(currently using the 18v Makita 125mm orbital sander and 18v extractor attached)

currently using standard type paper on a 125mm sander.

i bought some mesh paper last week to try and see if its any better, i used some of the Dewalt mesh pads last year and they are good but only available in small packs and quite expensive.

Dust is a huge priority as we are working in trading stores full of clothes!

I've also tried the Dewalt mesh paper, but it's not a patch on the Abranet stuff. Dust collection is a little poorer owing to a thicker mesh pattern and the quality of finish is nowhere near. If bought in bulk it works out about 50p a sheet. Whilst this isn't cheap, you have to offset it against man hours spent cleaning up and client satisfaction/future relations with regards to the clean manner in which you work!

 

[bobfog]

Just checked and the pack I bought last week are the Mirka Abranet's.

I'll see how i get on with them.

(currently using the 18v Makita 125mm orbital sander and 18v extractor attached)

currently using standard type paper on a 125mm sander.

i bought some mesh paper last week to try and see if its any better, i used some of the Dewalt mesh pads last year and they are good but only available in small packs and quite expensive.

Don't think you'll be disappointed.

Dust is a huge priority as we are working in trading stores full of clothes!

I've also tried the Dewalt mesh paper, but it's not a patch on the Abranet stuff. Dust collection is a little poorer owing to a thicker mesh pattern and the quality of finish is nowhere near. If bought in bulk it works out about 50p a sheet. Whilst this isn't cheap, you have to offset it against man hours spent cleaning up and client satisfaction/future relations with regards to the clean manner in which you work!

 

[Nickhead]

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[Holmz]

I have 2 decent sanders, plua a corner sander and old Bosch.

My 1/2 sheet takes screens (eva115). A Festool RS2 is also a 1/2 sheet style. They generally are good for making things flat as the pad is large.

The DEROS is similar to the Festool ETS EC, and it is light - which is helpful on walls. It uses screens or paper, but I like the screens in general (No idea on MDF though).
For a round sander you probably want a 150-mm over a 125-mm as you have a larger base which has a better chance at being flat.

The Mirka Abraidnet screens fit on the DEROS and the ETS EC (use a pad saver). You can run a lot of vacuum on a DEROS with the screens. I am not sure about the ETS EC, but maybe you can use more vacuum on a screen compared to using the papers (??).

I like the 1/2 sheet a lot, but I like it mostly when I am not holding it against a wall as it is much heaver than a DEROS. Both are good with getting the dust collected.

So far that is three brands... For Festool I like the ETS EC the best, but I got a DEROS.

 

[Nickhead]

Much difference between the number 3 and the number 5 150mm sander?

The 5 looks more compact.....

 

[bobfog]

Much difference between the number 3 and the number 5 150mm sander?

The 5 looks more compact.....

The ETS whether the 3 or 5 or the ETS EC 3/5 are exactly the same physical size. The 3 or 5 refer to the size of the stroke/action in millimetres. 3mm being a finer stroke for more delicate work and the 5mm being a little more coarse having a wider oscillating action.

For your intended purpose, sanding MDF for retail environments, I'd say the 5mm would be more appropriate as it will remove material a little more quickly and if using the right sand paper still give an impeccable result. Or you could have the 3mm and simply use a slightly lower grit pound for pound against what you'd use on the 5mm and have the option to carry out more "fine" sanding if needed in the future.

Bottom line, for sanding MDF, either will work given the right paper is used.

 

[monstrol]

.....not which....but how many....that is the question.  Also granat. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Holmz]

.....not which....but how many....that is the question.  Also granat. Just my 2 cents.

If the question is which, then send yourself or one of the lads, down to test drive a few.
If this is for vertical walls then you have a couple, or 3-5, of good choices.
If it is for flat work, then you have about 10 good choices.

 

[Kev]

I hate the idea of sanding MDF - that stuff isn't healthy [scared]

I'd probably aim for an ETS150/5 (and the EC version is brushless and lighter if you like) if I'm visualising correctly.

Posting a pic of a job in progress often gets you better input as it'll give us more perspective.

 

[Nickhead]

I appear to be losing the plot!

Went to FFX and Axminster and neither were able to tell me the difference between these?
http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-...-230v-506717?gclid=CKWT75up18sCFdYV0wodGUMMJw
http://www.its.co.uk/pd/ETS1505EQPL...05EQPLUS.htm?gclid=CPbm6dWp18sCFYIK0wodYy8BHw

 

[wptski]

I appear to be losing the plot!

Went to FFX and Axminster and neither were able to tell me the difference between these?
http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-...-230v-506717?gclid=CKWT75up18sCFdYV0wodGUMMJw
http://www.its.co.uk/pd/ETS1505EQPL...05EQPLUS.htm?gclid=CPbm6dWp18sCFYIK0wodYy8BHw

Just look at the description on one of them, at least.  One is a 3mm orbital and the other is 5mm in the pictures for sure so maybe the description is wrong also?  One shows a 315W motor and the other is a 400W so I think it's the 3mm vs 5mm model.

 

[Nickhead]

Sorry I've posted the wrong link,

Both are available in 3 or 5

 

[Nickhead]

But after doing some research the Ec is brushless and the newer version.

The rotex looks like a beast, do you guys think it would be overkill for what I need?

 

[AlexThePalex]

From what you've described in your first post, I do think the Rotex -might- be overkill for your type of work. The Rotex with its gear driven mode is great for removing lots of material like layers of paint. But since you talk about sanidng filler, a sander like the ETS150 (EC or not) is also good enough for that.

Notice I said -might-, because the Rotex is still perfectly suitable for the task. If you think you will also do jobs where faster material removal is needed, the Rotex is the most versatile.

I had the Rotex 150 as my main sander for two years, only complemented by a small DX93 delta sander for corner work. The Rotex did everything I had to do, including paint removal, paint prep and woodshaping, or buffing. Only later did I start to add other sanders, in order to get the sander best suited for the specific task.