Do I need a Random Orbit Sander?

[John TenEyck]

I've never had nor used a ROS. I've been happy with my 1/4 and 1/2 sheet sanders, and hand sanding, all these years. But I have about 20 frame and panel door frames to finish sand shortly (as soon as they're glued up) and wondered if a ROS offered any advantages. What say you?

[Dave Zellers]

Yes- you do.

A 5".

[Van Huskey]

I would not attempt what you are doing without a ROS. They are the most useful handheld sander ever invented. I don't know wnayone that doesn't love their ROS unless it is a REALLY junky one.

[matt wormmeester]

Yes, I like My PC 5".

[Zach Callum]

I had been using a PC 5", just upgraded to a Festool. Wow, what a difference. I would definitely recommend the Festool ROS.

[Tom Ewell]

Two would be better but one for sure.

[Paul Snowden]

Yes, sanding sucks less with it.

[John TenEyck]

I would not attempt what you are doing without a ROS. They are the most useful handheld sander ever invented. I don't know wnayone that doesn't love their ROS unless it is a REALLY junky one.

Thanks everyone so far for your replies. VH, how would you go about bringing the joints on my door frames perfectly flush? And please don't say hand plane.

[Chip Lindley]

You can smooth all 20 panels, and then, after assmbly, the rail/stile joints perfectly smooth with a ROS in no time flat! Once you use one, your 1/4- and 1/2-sheet sanders will gather lots of dust--NOT sawdust!

[Prashun Patel]

The ROS does a great job at cross-grain intersections like on frames.
They CAN get aggressive, and there is a little technique with it.

[Van Huskey]

Thanks everyone so far for your replies. VH, how would you go about bringing the joints on my door frames perfectly flush? And please don't say hand plane.

Just like Chip and Prashun said. Assemble and flatten the joint, the random orbit action does well at the grain intersection. Easy peasy japaneesy.

[hank dekeyser]

Even the HF ones for $18 on sale dont suck - go ahead and doubt me until you try one

[Mark Blatter]

The real question is do you get an electric one or air powered (sorry cannot for the life of me spell pneumatic with an certainty)?

I have both but really prefer my air powered.

[Brian Kent]

"Thanks everyone so far for your replies. VH, how would you go about bringing the joints on my door frames perfectly flush? And please don't say hand plane."

Hand Plane.

[John TenEyck]

I would not attempt what you are doing without a ROS. They are the most useful handheld sander ever invented. I don't know wnayone that doesn't love their ROS unless it is a REALLY junky one.

I see now that I mis-read your post. So everyone agrees that a ROS is the way to go, and the PC seems like a good unit, on sale at Amazon for less than $100. Thanks everyone for your input. What a good resource you all are.