Sanding

Product Review: Mid-Priced Random Orbit Sanders

January 17, 2022 By Paul Mayer & filed under Blog.

The random orbit sander (ROS) was first introduced to the power tool market in the early 1980s, and has grown to become the mainstay sander for hobbyist and professional woodworkers alike. The reasons for the popularity of this tool category are simple. The ROS provides a dual action sanding motion that has the power of…

New Low-Vibration, High-Quality Random Orbital Sander from Bosch

December 8, 2011 By Paul Mayer & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

Bosch ROS65VCL-6 Review In spite of the fact that I use a ROS quite a bit, and have had a love/hate relationship with this tool category. I enjoy the benefits of fast, swirl free sanding, but the gyroscope effect from most of the units that I have used leaves me feeling beat up after a…

Sander Reviews: My 5 Favorite Sanders

April 15, 2011 By Bruce Kieffer & filed under Buying Advice.

I used to loath finish sanding because it was slow, super dusty, and just down right boring. These days I embrace the process, and rather enjoy the steps involved in creating a smooth surface, but I still find the work boring! The reason for this dramatic attitude change is due to technical advances in today’s…

Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt and Spindle Sander

July 14, 2010 By Paul Mayer & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

Tool reviews are often written based upon an experience with a brand new tool just pulled out of the box. In this case, however, I am writing about a tool that has been put through some extreme paces for about a year, as my father and I use it extensively in his woodworking business. You…

Abrasive Cleaner Stretcher

January 24, 2010 By David Munkittrick & filed under Shop Tips, Skill Building.

I regularly use abrasive cleaner sticks to prevent burning and extend the life of my drum sander belts. I hate to throw away the nubs when they get too short to hold against the spinning drum by hand, (I prefer to sand wood, not fingertips). Instead, I epoxy them onto some 1 x 2 scrap.…

How to Use a Belt Sander Like a Pro

November 19, 2009 By George Vondriska & filed under Sanding, Skill Building.

Many woodworkers are afraid of using a belt sander, and you can’t blame them. Used incorrectly, a belt sander can ruin, in seconds, a project that you spent days building. I’ve succeeded in making some reasonably flat boards into moonscapes, thanks to improper use of a belt sander. But I’ve learned from this, and want…

SuperMax 37-Inch Drum Sander

October 2, 2009 By David Munkittrick & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

George’s review of the Performax 22-44 was so popular we thought it might interest our readers to hear about the advantages a larger machine offers. This is a review of the SuperMax 37; a machine that shares a lot of great features with the Performax 22-44, including variable speed feed rate, a non-slip conveyor belt,…

Jet 22-44 Plus Drum Sander

September 4, 2009 By George Vondriska & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

I enjoy having the chance to write up the new products I see, but what those reviews lack, is any kind of long term testing. I love having the chance to use a tool for a while, then write about it. This is the case with the Performax 22-44 Plus Drum Sander. I’ve had one…