| Review by Sawdust4Blood | posted 1207 days ago | 3024 views | 2 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
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- Bosch 1294VSK
- Brand: Bosch | Category: Sanders
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I bought one of these because I was looking for a detail sander that could get me into the corners of furniture projects. But since I make sawdust almost every weekend, I was looking for something that was going to last. I had looked around at a lot of other detail sanders and they all struck me as cheap flimsy things designed to be used on one or two projects then forgotten or thrown away. I also considered a couple of the multi-function tools for their utility but sanding was more important to me since that was what I would primarily be using it for. Ultimately I ruled out the multi-function tools since they were either too light duty in design or much more expensive. Additionally, this sander is an orbital while those only oscillate meaning you’re less likely to be left with sander marks. When I bought it, I opted not to get the dust collection attachment due to poor reviews from other prior purchasers.
On first use it became clear that this sander may be small in size but it is a heavy duty performer. It makes sawdust and is quick about it. I knew right away that I was going to have to find an answer to the dust collection issue and soon or my lungs were going to be full of termites dining on the wood inside. It sands aggressively but leaves a fine finish with 200 or higher grit paper. In the end, I purchased a Ridgid universal dust collection adapter that fit well with the tool and my shop vac. With the vac attached, dust collection is as good as any other sander I have. I honestly haven’t used the little fingers other than to play with them and I’ll likely continue to sand profiles by hand but the ability to reach in tight spaces might come in handy if you’re refinishing. At $110 it ain’t the cheapest sander on the market but but then again cheap tools almost always seem to end up costing more in the end. Overall I’m very happy with this purchase and it has quickly become a “go to” tool.
-- Greg, Severn MD
8 comments so far
jim C
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1384 posts in 1295 days
#1 posted 1207 days ago
I’ve version had an earlier version of that sander for at least 7-8 years and I gotta tell ya, it just keeps on going and going. I reach for it anytime I’m working in corners or french windows, etc.
Great tool.
-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
PineInTheAsh
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394 posts in 1465 days
#2 posted 1207 days ago
Greg,
A special thanks for at least showing a price. Seems many LJ reviews want to keep pricing a state secret.
Was $110 the MSRP? What did you pay? You don’t specify.
Thanks,
Peter
Sawdust4Blood
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321 posts in 1218 days
#3 posted 1207 days ago
$110 was my cost from Amazon shipping included.
-- Greg, Severn MD
a1Jim
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89051 posts in 1774 days
#4 posted 1207 days ago
Thanks for the review.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
araldite
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187 posts in 1601 days
#5 posted 1207 days ago
I also have an older version of that Bosch for many years and I’ve never had any trouble with it. It still works like new.
-- Failure is the road to success if you learn to learn from your mistakes - Vince, Greenville, SC
Jim Bertelson
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3345 posts in 1361 days
#6 posted 1206 days ago
Appreciate the review. After buying a Bosch Router Kit 1617 EVSPK on an emergency basis, I am looking at that brand for my next sander, also. The Bosch Router so far is performing beyond my expectations. There is also a PC sander reviewd on LJ that has a good rep. I have this ancient Hitachi 1/2 sheet orbital, 17 years old. I certainly am not waiting for it to die to buy a new sander. I am convinced that Hitachi will survive anything except a sludge hammer or a direct hit from an RPG.
I don’t think they sell a quality sander locally but I may look around. I definitely need a detail sander. If I don’t see anything locally soon I will order. So thanks for the info.
-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska
Sawdust4Blood
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321 posts in 1218 days
#7 posted 1206 days ago
I also have a Bosch Colt palm router and love it. Just exactly the right tool for lots of light duty jobs where a full size router is just extra weight to control. I’m a fan of PC sanders as well. I have a PC random orbit sander that has been running strong for 15 years (eventually I had to replace the foam hook/loop pad after about 13 years but that was cuz the foam dried out and started to crumble). I’d say that you’ll likely be happy with either so it may be a matter of personal preference on ergonomics/features.
-- Greg, Severn MD
Jim Bertelson
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3345 posts in 1361 days
#8 posted 1206 days ago
Thanks Greg, I am favoriting this review so I can find it when I decide to purchase…...........
-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska
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