Much maligned sander

You make some good points.
I’ve steered away fro B&D for years now.
Maybe next time I need to get in a tight corner, I’ll remember this.

Mike

-- http://www.heartofsackville.ca/

Sorry Russ But you can beat it. The savings on purchase price is off set by the high cost of it’s sand paper and compared to a REAL ROS there’s no comparison the Ros I recommend cost about $30 more and it’s sand paper is far less per disc.when bought in 50 0r hundred disc boxes.It will also saves wear and tear on your hands and wrist by getting the job done quicker and better.

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6021-21-Random-Sander-collection/dp/B0012RWCF6
mouse sand papaer $1.37 each http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-ACCESSORIES-74-586-Sandpaper/dp/B0000302UF
standard REO paper .28 each
http://www.amazon.com/Mirka-23-615-120-120-Grit-Dustless-Sanding/dp/B0000223T7/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1334431205&sr=1-1

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Jim, I have a Ridgid ROS and it simply wont cut like the mouse does. I think it’s because you can put some pressure with the mouse in one spot and you can’t really do with with an ROS. ROS is great to finish with though. The mouse sandpaper is high if you get the finer grits, but the 50, 60, and 80 are pretty reasonable even if you don’t get many pieces. They do last a long long time. I wish my ROS would do the job, but by the time I get to the point of using 250 grit, I’m using it with a sanding block.
Perhaps I have the wrong ROS. Is there a better one?

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

I have one I bought about five years ago. I used it once to sand the inner corners of a raised panel door. I went to use it last week and it would barely hum, then it went dead. Tried a different outlet and same thing. Got p.o.’ed and threw it down on the floor. Plugged it in one more time and it worked after that. So if yours ever seems like the motor is dying just give it a good smack.

Dhazelton- I think yours had some dried sawdust in it. I’ve had mine for about 3 months and haven’t had a problem with it. It does give your arm a work out though, but all sanders except the ROS do. My right arm looks like Popeyes.

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

I find mine very useful as a paperweight for my instruction manuals in a drawer. It handles gravity quite well, at the usual rate of acceleration. Seems to not move much when the drawer is opened.

I have a version of it called the cyclone. Has a neat little design with a finger sander attachment for tight spaces, and can convert between a ROS and and a flush base. Not an aggressive sander but it fits the bill in some spots that gives me more difficulty. B and D is often scoffed at, but I have a jigsaw they made in the 80s that still runs and they have a modern model that even Wood magazine considers a solid no-nonsense performer.

David

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

Jonathan- Yeah, the main reason I like it besides the light weight is the way you can bear down on either the front point or the rear sides. It really eats with 50 grit on it, and if you keep it moving in circular motion it wont dig a pit.

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

I have been thinking about getting the mouse to get in tight fits with the bigger grits, thanks for the info on the product.

-- two men walk into a bar the third one ducks, which are you??

Man!!! The opinions about the rat are about as far apart as Dems and Reps. Here’s my two cents worth:

Had mine about four years and soon discovered that, like a1Jim, the paper was “pricey”, but I just buy sheets, cut’em to fit and stick’em on with spray adhesive. Have a DW ROS and a PC quarter sheeter, but there are times that I need something that will get in a crook or nanny that I missed. Wouldn’t be without one.

Have a good’un

Joe

-- rejo55, East Texas If there were no trees, there wouldn't be much wood.

If you like it that’s all the counts Russ I have 8 ROS and some are far better others I have never tried a Ridgid so I have no comparison with that brand.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/