Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Orbital sanders vs square finish sanders

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    NW Arkansas
    Posts
    110

    Orbital sanders vs square finish sanders

    I'm just wanting to know why a person would use one or the other? Advantages, disadvantages?

    I'm looking into getting a sander for working with canoe paddles for helping in the final stages of finishing.

    Thanks SMC!

    L

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    10,304
    The square finish sanders are orbital sanders. Orbital sanders move the sandpaper in a simple circular pattern. Random orbital sanders, which may be what you're thinking of, move the sandpaper in a random way. The random scratches are more difficult to see than the regular pattern of the orbital sanders. That's why random orbitals have pretty much driven orbitals out of the market.

    I use random orbitals as my primary sanders. I still have one of those square finish sanders for the sole use of getting into internal corners, like the ones inside a drawer box.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    West Lafayette, IN
    Posts
    6,529
    There was an article in FWW a while back which dealt with something like this. Basically, ROS's are used for a majority of sanding while the square finish sanders are used for corners and things like legs since they are a little easier to control.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    781
    I've also read that RO sanders require a little finesse when approaching and departing the workpiece to avoid swirl marks, whereas the 1/4 sheet palm units are more forgiving. Also read that the RO units can remove material faster. I'm still researching before I make my RO purchase.
    Kyle in K'zoo
    Screws are kinda like knots, if you can't use the right one, use lots of 'em.
    The greatest tragedy in life is the gruesome murder of a beautiful theory by a brutal gang of facts.

Similar Threads

  1. Accurate T Square....
    By Tony Falotico in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 08-21-2005, 7:45 PM
  2. When is a square not a square?
    By Glen Blanchard in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 04-14-2005, 11:45 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •