Painful lessons learned - Random Orbit vs. 1/4-Sheet Sanders

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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

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[StumpyNubs]

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*Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!*
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)

*Sanding Tutorial Videos:*

-

*Some other useful links:*

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[observersnt]

Another genuine, unpretentious, video with clear speech and pronunciation, no irritating music, nobody needing to try being a comedian. Thank you yet again

[jerm]

Obviously, I use both, depending on the circumstance, but one thing I learned about random orbitals early on was keep them away from interior edges and corners. They make nice deep grooves with the side of that disc spinning like a saw blade across a piece. I use a 1/4 sheet sander or hand sand interior edges with a sanding block now.

[MrStickthrower]

I have so far been too cheap to buy a random orbital, so 1/4 sheet has been my go to for finish sanding for 20+ years. In my experience, keeping the sander moving relatively rapidly, ending your session with passes with the grain, and stepping down slowly through grit sizes has yielded the best results. Don't ever stop moving the sander, let it get up to speed before touching it to wood, and keep it flat coming off edges are my best tips.

[elmohead]

Best woodworking channel out there. Everything is clear. Information is clear, no attempted comedy, product placement is clear, well-researched.

[josher-chsf]

I work in a custom cabinetry shop. We use the Mirka System with both a random orbit sander and an orbital square sander. Our typical process is rough lumber gets sanded starting with 80, then 120, then 180. At this point we prime it. After priming, we buff the item using 320 before the finish coat of paint. The random orbital sander gets most of the work done, but the square orbital is great for inside corners such as the panels on shaker doors.

[jmrocks]

Great video, but I think I’m even more impressed with your tool organization!

[mikedurkee]

This is definitely not sponsored (since I don't have or want a youtube channel :) That same feather board saved me yesterday! Where did I first hear about them? Right here on your channel! I am a FIRM believer in them. Thank you for bringing them to my attention and thank you to the folks that came up with the idea... I know for a fact that I wouldn't be typing this today if I had not been using one yesterday. Please keep doing what you do!

[johnduffy]

"dat splains it, Lucy."...great information as usual!...after using the ole faithful 1/4 sheet sander for almost a half century, I bought a random orbital sander. ("old too soon, smart too late") I LOVE my new sander. nuff said. Thanks once again, Stumpy!.

[keuyp]

I've been doing woodworking for over 45 years. In my opinion, the ultimate sander on at least flat plane surfaces is definitely a belt. Sander the biggest advantage to belt sanders is if you sand with the grain and continue to reduce your grit down to say a 220 or more, any lines completely disappear and you can take it one final step if you want to and that is to use steel wool and you can end up with an absolute mirror finish

[joewrosenthal]

Please indulge me with this comment: awhile back you introduced us to the Bow Products push stick. I am a convert. It’s so much better than any shop-made push sticks.

But now I’ve discovered, thanks to you, their feather-board and other products. I’m placing another order tomorrow: THANK YOU!

[woodrowsmith]

My first sander was a third-sheet I got for $5 used. It was basically worthless. Bought a Craftsman 1/4 sheet soon after. I did end up with the pigtails in a couple of tabletops that left me looking for alternatives. I bought a Makita BO5000 in the mid-ninetys and never looked back, still using Makita sanders today.

Even then, I found some sanding marks. Working in an auto parts store, I began investigating options. I found a 3M system of hand blocks and 2 3/4" PSA abrasive rolls used primarily on pneumatic longboards. I bought three blocks, marked them as 100, 150 and 220 and bought three 40yd rolls of corresponding abrasive. This is, in my mind, the perfect solution for the very occasional hand sanding that I do. In fact, I still have the original roll of 220 from twenty-five years ago.

In any power sanding I believe the key factor necessary to negate the pigtail problem is adequate dust extraction. Get some type of system dedicated to sanding. You don't need the fancy stuff...even a small shop vacuum will work. But...buy a high quality hose and attachment system. I spent more for the hose than I did on the vacuum. Why? Because it is far more flexible and far less cumbersome you will be far more likely to use it!

Most folk think sanding is a chore. I enjoy it. It is the last woodworking step to complete before you become a finisher. It is the step that can turn a pumpkin into a princess. Take your time... don't rush... make something to be proud of.

[rickhand]

I had the 1/4 sheet sander first and bought a random orbit sander a few years later. I use the random orbit sander much more although I do still use the 1/4 sheet sander with finer paper mostly. I tend to agree with your opinion and for the same reasons. Great video!

[Gunghoa]

Second, wahoo! I recently put in a new outside deck, good australian spotted gum, a hardwood. Thought I'd be smart and sand it down initially with a belt sander, all good...moved down to an orbital, again, all good. Then I got focussed on a really smooth finish, and worked it over with a random orbital sander down to 240 grain paper...ultra smooth finish, could have been a table top. Sealed it off with deck oil. Next morning, first few steps on it, I went head over tail and landed on my butt. The random orbital had totally taken the grain down to nearly zero, and it was impossible to get any purchase with shoes on, even worse when wet. Back to 180 grain paper and a run over with the belt sander, again. Lesson learnt.

[jordanwilkinson]

The heavy duty Bosch random orbital sander with the turbo direct drive mode has changed my life. Worth the high cost. Way better than any belt sander I've had, and great in random mode as a finish sander.

[adamshinbrot]

Back in the 80's there was really only one 1/4 sheet sander available that I ever saw, and it was made by Makita. I don't know about the tiny circular marks on the workpiece, but I can tell you it did a heck of a job vibrating your hand. Probably better at vibrating your hand than sanding anything. I think this might have been the only tool I threw away.
Replaced it with what I think might have been the first powered (as opposed to air driven) random orbit (or dual action, we called it) sander by Porter Cable. What a joy, what a difference.
I wish I had all those hours I wasted giving myself nerve damage in the hand with that Makita sander back now.

[billmitchell]

many moons ago when I was a young lad, I was working as a Mechanic for a cabinet shop, whenever I had all the vehicles running, he didn't want be to go somewhere else, so he had me sanding cabinet faces, all we had was the 1/4 sheet sanders, I think it was a very fine grit of 400 or more, than years later when I started playing with wood more then metal one of the first things I picked up was a 1/4 sheet sander, I used it for some time, before someone gave me a old orbiting sander, which I used for 4 years or so before buying a brand new one, which is old now, but all 3 still run when needed, Must admit I'm became a fan of the 20v dw210 that I use almost daily.

[aidanflores]

I’ve worked with both types of sanders, including a small 1inch triangular orbital sander. I’m a painter and I also do casework. Currently we are sanding off clear coat and stain from cabinets and restaining and clear coating. I’ve learned to really like orbital sanders but it does take more time to learn the right technique, it is sometimes necessary since we have to work around hinges, to get corners and whatnot as opposed to a round sander.

[Weshopwizard]

I own that little black and decker sander and love it. I’ve had it for maybe 10 years and it’s still going strong.

[jayp]

You definitely earned a subscriber in me!Im always willing to learn from anyone.Im one of very few people that think that you never stop learning your whole life.