Makita BO5041K 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander Kit Reviews ...
Initially I was looking to get a belt sander, but many people were suggesting random orbital sanders, so I decided this would be a more versatile sander for what I expect my future DIY needs to be. It is smaller than I expected but this is the... So far this sander is performing without any problems and has ample power to do what I need it to do. The biggest problem that I have run across with other sanders like the Bosch, Dewalt, and Porter Cable sanders is that they do not have enough... Consistent sanding RPM is a key factor in getting a proper and evenly sanded surface (if not, you’ll find out when the stain goes on. ). The adjustable second knob handle is very convenient for applying even sanding pressure and can be moved to... Also from reviews of belt sanders, there seems to be less risks and problems when using this type of sander. The dust bag would be the only complaint since they have only a minimal effect on capturing dust (all dust bags on these type of sanders really do not work). This sander was instead easily connected to a dust extraction machine in my shop but could also be connected to a shop vac the same way with the right hose and adapter (Amazon carries all the hoses and fittings to make this work). The random orbital action seems to significantly decrease the possibility of over sanding and burning the wood. It was great to have the “hook and loop” method to attach the disks so that I can either reuse them or easily switch out disks when going from a heavy grit down to a fine grit. You could just use the trigger grip, or you could use the trigger grip and the removable handle. I purchased the Mirka 23-615-AP 5-Inch 8-Hole Assorted Grit Dustless Hook-and-Loop Sanding Disks with the sander. Almost all of the dust gets sucked up through the eight holes in the disk and I did not notice dust coming away from the circumference, but I also had the vacuum on. The holes did not get clogged up during my job. I did extensive reviews and narrowed it down to the Bosch brands and this Makita. It comes in a great solid sturdy case, but be careful as I kept pinching my fingers when trying to close it. The cord is long enough to be a couple feet from the socket when working, but you will need an extension cord for most work. The disk was very easy to install and was about 1/8-1/4 inch in diameter larger than the sanding base. If you use the cruise button, you can very comfortably sand with one hand on the top of the machine. The lip seemed to dissolve away during sanding and this may have been part of my inexperience using it. The sander quickly dispatched of the job. I run a small custom cabinet shop and use finish sanders hard and constantly. There is very little transferred motion to your hand and this means the sander does the shaking and not you. The sander was quiet, amazingly powerful, easy to manage with one hand, and relatively clean. The Dewalt sander has a slightly higher amperage rating than this one and still seems to slow down. In any event the risk seemed much less than a belt sander. I purchased this sander a few months ago to replace a similar type Bosch.
