looking for a new Random orbit sander

I have a dewalt D26456 (same as porter cable 390, just yellow). Very little vibration and it works beautifully.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

I have a Ridgid.
I am very happy with it and I believe that it is the best value on the market.
It is the only one with a life time support agreement:

Lifetime Service Agreement

The original purchaser of an eligible product may elect to register for a free Lifetime Service Agreement. To accept this Lifetime Service Agreement, you must register your product and submit proof of purchase for processing approval as described below. The Lifetime Service Agreement provides the original owner of qualifying RIDGID® Brand tools a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service and free replacement parts subject to the limitations set forth below.
The Lifetime Service Agreement is available free of charge, on all eligible RIDGID® Brand hand held power tools, stationary power tools and pneumatic tools, subject to the terms and conditions stated below. Customers have 90 days from date of purchase to register tools for the Lifetime Service Agreement. Once all conditions of the registration process are fulfilled, the tool’s service coverage lasts the lifetime of the original purchaser. The Lifetime Service Agreement status on a tool is not transferable to persons other than the original purchaser. Note: The RIDGID Lifetime Service Agreement is only available for eligible RIDGID tools purchased at THE HOME DEPOT.

-- Bert

The PC 390 is a very nice sander. I find it a little large for my hands, but it s very smooth.

-- I long for the days when Coke was a cola, and a joint was a bad place to be (Merle Haggard)

I have a PC 6” which works well, but sometimes a bit big for smaller spots. I usually use my Bosch 5” with the dust collector and find that it’s a very nice sander.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Ridgid is pretty smooth compared to the new DeWalts. The 6” is very smooth and has a handle and a grip. Dewalt spins faster though.

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

“Dewalt spins faster though.”
is this an advantage?
Why?

-- Bert

One of the Bosch models got really good reviews a couple of years ago. I do not recall which one however. I also have a DeWalt that is on its last legs and figured on replacing it with a Bosch. All of my other corded hand power tools have been Bosch and I love them.

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com

I love my new DeWalt 26453k. I also have carpal tunnel in both my hands. This sander made a big difference. Save for festool, this is the smoothest ROS I have used. Variable speed is nice, soft start, brake, and if you use 5 hole paper and a vac, the dust collection is really good. It’s pretty cheap too at around 80$

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

I have a Festool and think it operates smoothly, but I have never done a side by side test against any others. Would anti-vibration gloves help you?

-- Art

I didn’t even know those gloves existed. I’ll have to do some research. Things I have found that work well for my CT and sanding:

1 – I wear my wrist braces while sanding.
2 – I hold the sander on the sides instead of the top (with both hands). My hands bother me less when I work with them in a “handshake” position instead of my palms facing the ground.
3 – The cold REALLY gets me. 10 minutes in the cold is the same as 2 hours in warm weather for my CT. I try to sand in a warm environment whenever possible.

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

IF you have a big enough air compressor, I would strongly recommend the Dynabrade Spirit (air powered ROS). I did a review on mine not too long after I got it and I’m still lovin it! Weighs a lot less than elec sanders and the difference in vibration is remarkable! Costs about the same as mid-range elec sanders.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

I use Dewalt and Bosch 5” ROS’s. The Dewalt is more powerful, but no variable speed. The Bosch comes with a pleated filter which is a great idea. However, the attachment is a funky push-on, twist off arrangement. The o-ring quickly wears, which spews dust everywhere. So I use them both with a shop vac. The Bosch fitting tends to fall off the sander. That’s right, the fitting that came with the sander constantly falls off. I was pretty happy with it at first, but the love affair is over.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

I have 7 ROSs and out of all of them the Milwaukee is the best. I have recommended it to others and the send me PMs saying they love theirs.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/milwaukee-5-in-random-orbit-sander-6021-21.html#.UOUDg-TAcuA

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

We have burned out approximately 10 ridgid 5” sanders. Moved to dealt and problem solved, no more burning up sanders, we would just have to replace the hook and loop pad every 6 months or so. But now we use only dynabrade in our shop.

So my vote is definitely dealt fro electric, or go with dynabrade if you have an air compressor with 25 cfm output.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

How many gallon air compressor do you need for an air driven ROS?

-- It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.