I hope I don't appear to ignorant but I had my eyes opened the other day and now I'm wondering what else I might be missing.
About 20 years ago I bought a PC 330 1/4 sander. At the time I think it was considered the industry standard. I loved it. However last year Dewalt was selling there mitre saws with a free sander. I got the saw and put the sander in the my drawer. Last week my daughter wanted to refinish something and she brought it to me. I handed her the PC330 and told her to start sanding the finish. After a period of time I thought about the Dewalt sander so I got it out and began using it. I was surprised. It worked really nice, and the dust collection was impressive. I began to wonder what other new technology I might be missing.
Now my question I see these new palm size random orbital sanders with circular disks and I wondering if they have anything over the 1/4 sanders I already have? I think the 1/4 sheet sanders are orbital but I don't know if they are random orbital and what difference does that make in finishing?
Also I might add I have a 15 year or so old PC7334 orbital sander that is built like a side grinder. I use it in place of a belt sander but if you pick it up off the wood the disk starts to spin like a circular sander and will gouge wood when you put it back down on the wood. Like I said excellent for rapid removal of wood but very dangerous for finish work. Has this problem been overcome in the new palm size random orbital sanders?
Thanks for any insight