i need a better RO sander

[Jason White]

I own a few Festool sanders, so I'm spoiled. However, I recently used a RIDGID 5" cordless sander on a project and I was pretty impressed with it. You just have to remember to vacuum in-between grits and go very slowly when sanding so you don't get swirl marks. The bag also did a decent job collecting most of the dust.

[jack duren]

I have a Dewalt RO sander, it's a single speed one I picked years ago, it works but when I sand my end grain cutting boards its a hell of a fight to get some scratches out, even only going from 80 to 120

I Have to hold it sideways and let the edge work to get it out.

I would like something I can hold flat and will do the work for me

I would like to stay with 5inch if possible becuase i have a lot paper for the 5inch 8 hole already

Get 60 grit. We deal with this all the time. 40 grit if you can find it...

[Prashun Patel]

I have a mirka ceros and it does not make sanding end grain cutting boards any easier than with my Bosch. You need the right grit sandpaper.

[Andrew R Miller]

I got the ROS65 Bosch, it is amazing for me so far, I can see where i might need to get the 1250DEVS to go along with it.

I just used it sand a couple boards to finish them after salad bowl finish, I got the ABRNET discs and hook up to my DC, I get 0 dust, the finsh is amazing i did from 240-600 grit, and you could almost use it as a mirror!

I have not used it to try and get sanding line out yet will do that today how even i have high hopes

[Andrew R Miller]

tried it off a band saw rip and on some stock i sent through the drum sander with 36 grit on it,

I had 80 grit on the ROS65 (lowest I have right now) and it took the stuff from both of these out very very fast

compared to my old one this actually worked I just had to go over the board a few times

again I can see where the 1250DEVS would be needed in some cases for fast remove of a lot of stock, but I have other tools for that, so unless what im working on can't be moved or does not fit I think this will suit me for a while

Thank you to everyone for the excellent advice

[Van Huskey]

tried it off a band saw rip and on some stock i sent through the drum sander with 36 grit on it,

I had 80 grit on the ROS65 (lowest I have right now) and it took the stuff from both of these out very very fast

compared to my old one this actually worked I just had to go over the board a few times

again I can see where the 1250DEVS would be needed in some cases for fast remove of a lot of stock, but I have other tools for that, so unless what im working on can't be moved or does not fit I think this will suit me for a while

Thank you to everyone for the excellent advice

Glad you are happy that is a very good sander.

As to the 1250, Rotex and all the other dual mode sanders they can be VERY aggressive but difficult to control. Given you have a DS the only time I would suggest you add a dual mode sander is if you need rapid stock removal on parts you can't send through the DS such as curves or doing refinishing.