Best handheld sanders

Birdsnest · February 25th, 2008, 06:54 PM

Did a search... came up with not so relevant posts...

Operator error for sure.

That said, can you guys give me some brand/model suggestions on a quality made and affordable hand held sander?

....and of course this is tele related...it applies to my next tele build.

TIA!

Jeffscreamedcorn · February 25th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Porter Cable.

martyb1 · February 25th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Well I have to say I have a Dewalt random orbital sander that has sanded a ton.I have had no trouble with it what so ever.This thing is at least 10 years old and has done many home reno projects before I started building guitars.The only downfall is the on/off switch.Covered in plastic and tough to turn on/off.I think they have changed it on the newer models.
When I say sanded a ton I mean it.I went out to my shop one morning and it was sitting on the bench running(because of that switch)
It wedged itself between another sander and a piece of wood and ran all night.Had a perfect circle sanded almost through a 1 3/4 bench

I unplug it now when not in use.
If they have upgraded the switch,don't be scared of a Dewalt

Birdsnest · February 25th, 2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

It wedged itself between another sander and a piece of wood and ran all night.Had a perfect circle sanded almost through a 1 3/4 bench

LMAO.

boris bubbanov · February 25th, 2008, 07:16 PM

Marty, shame on you, that 1 + 3/4 bench top should have been made into a Tele!

That is a funny story. Some of the DeWalt consumer stuff will need TLC if you're gonna use it 5 times a week. I just had one of their little $ 50 Home Depot sander reconditioned under warranty, less than 6 months old.

RodeoTex · February 25th, 2008, 07:36 PM

I've had two Makitas, both of which I completely worn out. I really liked the job they did and the ergonomics of them. Last time I couldn't find a Makita so I got a DeWalt.
My mistake? I looked at the $69 one and grabbed the $89 model. The only difference was that it had a speed control which is also completely unnecessary. Don't buy that option.
Since, I've put about 100K miles on the DeWalt and am very happy with it.

Ronkirn · February 25th, 2008, 08:22 PM

I use a couple of Dewalt DW 421's or the newer generation of the same thing.

Ron Kirn

jwells393 · February 25th, 2008, 08:35 PM

I found the DeWalt 411 in a pawn shop for $20 years ago. It's been dropped to the floor innumerable times. It's never failed to start.

DeWalt411.jpg

shoretyus · February 25th, 2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

I found the DeWalt 411 in a pawn shop for $20 years ago. It's been dropped to the floor innumerable times. It's never failed to start.

Attachment 9129

Not sure about the Dewalt but I have 2 Makita sanders like that. I stopped using them for cabinet etc. They tended to leave little deep circle marks that got left when you went to the next grit up.

I have gone to the round orbitals and have a better finish. I am now using these cheap Kings. No they don't last but they carry a 2 yr warranty but are only $31. The switches go of course but thats because they have to be started and stopped each time you put them on the wood.

Birdsnest · February 25th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the reply's ya'll. Off to Lowes in the morning. Now if the USACG guys will just call me back. (I've left two messages. Grrr. )

February 25th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Birdsnest Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 232	Best handheld sanders Did a search... came up with not so relevant posts... Operator error for sure. That said, can you guys give me some brand/model suggestions on a quality made and affordable hand held sander? ....and of course this is tele related...it applies to my next tele build. TIA! __________________ Let Fury Have The Hour

February 25th, 2008, 07:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
martyb1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Age: 44 Posts: 1,578 13 Photos	Well I have to say I have a Dewalt random orbital sander that has sanded a ton.I have had no trouble with it what so ever.This thing is at least 10 years old and has done many home reno projects before I started building guitars.The only downfall is the on/off switch.Covered in plastic and tough to turn on/off.I think they have changed it on the newer models. When I say sanded a ton I mean it.I went out to my shop one morning and it was sitting on the bench running(because of that switch) It wedged itself between another sander and a piece of wood and ran all night.Had a perfect circle sanded almost through a 1 3/4 bench I unplug it now when not in use. If they have upgraded the switch,don't be scared of a Dewalt __________________ Before throwing it out,make sure it's not 16x13x1.75

February 25th, 2008, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,574	Marty, shame on you, that 1 + 3/4 bench top should have been made into a Tele! That is a funny story. Some of the DeWalt consumer stuff will need TLC if you're gonna use it 5 times a week. I just had one of their little $ 50 Home Depot sander reconditioned under warranty, less than 6 months old. __________________ Bubban0v

February 25th, 2008, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
RodeoTex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,313	I've had two Makitas, both of which I completely worn out. I really liked the job they did and the ergonomics of them. Last time I couldn't find a Makita so I got a DeWalt. My mistake? I looked at the $69 one and grabbed the $89 model. The only difference was that it had a speed control which is also completely unnecessary. Don't buy that option. Since, I've put about 100K miles on the DeWalt and am very happy with it. __________________ Turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose.

February 25th, 2008, 08:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,748	I use a couple of Dewalt DW 421's or the newer generation of the same thing. Ron Kirn __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. – Thomas Jefferson Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -Pericles (430 B.C.)

February 25th, 2008, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jeffscreamedcorn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: beantown Age: 51 Posts: 786	Porter Cable.

February 25th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,252 101 Photos	I found the DeWalt 411 in a pawn shop for $20 years ago. It's been dropped to the floor innumerable times. It's never failed to start. DeWalt411.jpg __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

February 25th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Birdsnest Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 232	Thanks for the reply's ya'll. Off to Lowes in the morning. Now if the USACG guys will just call me back. (I've left two messages. Grrr. ) __________________ Let Fury Have The Hour