Mirka Random Orbital Sanders

[Glynne]

I read the recent thread on ROS https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/random-orbital-sander-t97984.html?hilit=random orbital sanders with interest as I'm now looking to replace my Draper ROS which can only be described as agricultural. It does remove wood but only at the expense of a weightlifting session coupled with a good shaking of your innards and at my time of life I can do without both of these.
I am interested in any thoughts on the Mirka Ceros 550CV http://www.axminster.co.uk/mirka-ceros-550cv-random-orbit-sander-953290.
I was originally tempted with a Festool 125 (yes I know they are expensive and you can get counselling against buying anything Festool) but then I saw the Mirka (which are more expensive again) but being a user of Abranet I thought.......might be even better?
I'm after a finishing sander rather than something to hog loads of wood off - the Festool has an orbit diameter of 2mm whilst the Mirka has one one of 5mm but I think I'm in danger of getting tied up in stats hence the request for advice.
Any thoughts please?

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Nothing in it between the festool ets and the mirka ceros both lightweight and all day comfy to use. You can get the festool with either a 3mm or 5mm stroke, the ceros has about 3 choices I think although I've only used the 2.5, which was awesome and contrary to what festool say abranet discs stick to the base pads just as well. I think the decision on what to get should be whichever you can get cheapest

 

[Londoner100]

I had a Festool Rotex 125 which was brilliant., Not all of my sanding was horizontal and often I would find it really heavy after working through the grits to get to a final finish. My new sander is the same as in your second link the Mirka, it is expensive but the quality is great, lighter than most sanders and no where near as fatiguing as the Festool. The dust extraction is very good (its worth getting the Mirka hose as it is very flexible) I use mine with a Festool Midi. Hope this was useful.

Ian

 

[RossJarvis]

I've got the Mirka Ceros 650 (150mm pad) which I really like. However I think the Deros may actually be a better buy as you can change the size of the pads and you don't have the faff of the transformer.

I'd have to say there are a couple of question marks on aspects of the quality and toughness with Mirka, but i'm not sure if you can beat it for lightness and dust extraction.

 

[YorkshireMartin]

I have the RO125 but also use abranet for hand sanding.

The abranet is superb I have to say, really superb.

The RO125, well, I've had quite a few problems with it over time, relating to its frequent tendency to put spirals onto my work when in ROS mode. Rotary was fine always. Lately, it seems to have been behaving itself a little more, but I think for the price, they should have done a better job in the first place. The concensus seems to be that the customer needs to "run in" the tool. Not really cool.

I think if I was to buy again I'd go for the Mirka, but then again, I've also read conflicting reports on them.

YMMV, I dont think theres a clear winner. Personally, Id ask for a demo. I've not used an ETS, but again, reports of them being very weak, from some customers. ETS EC I haven't looked at yet.

 

[owsnap]

I got the deros 650

I would NOT get the ceros 550 , because first it's 125mm , and there's a HUGE difference when you compare it to 150mm, the 150mm is so much better and covers larger area much faster, and 2nd because the ceros got the huge-ass power supply, I seriously couldn't imagine having that thing dangle around.

I also do not think that the festool can even be compared to mirka, the mirka is much more compact and better machine, I have tried both!

If you are buying it because you want to try the abranet discs- Don't... They are stupid useless overhyped $hit which tear in seconds, do not last longer than regular ones and can only be used on flat surfaces, corners/edges-forget it, it will start to tear/fall off right away.

However there are sellers on ebay who sell the mirka loose basecut discs and those are excellent, and they are dirt cheap, like 15-20p a disc for the 150mm ones and are much better than anything out there.

and lastly, do not get in temptation to buy an used machine, because chance is it will be knackered and already abused to hell and you get no 3year warranty. the mirka is bloody expensive, and the accessories are even more stupidly expensive, like rip-off expensive, but the machine itself is the best there is and you can buy it knowing that you can easily buy it to last you a lifetime..resale values are also very nice.

Btw how much do you plan to use the sander? Like everyday or only for a hobby once every 2weeks? because if the later, save your £ and buy one of those £80 cheaper 125mm makitas..for the occasional use you would be mad to spend that kind of £££ on the mirka.If you plan to use it every day however than go for it.
About the build quality- well when you will take it in hand for the first time you will think- what the hell, that looks like a £20 toy machine.
about the 2/5mm orbits you are worrying, don't need to worry I got the 5mm and it's equally good at rapid stock removal ( as good as belt sander I must say) and equally good for the fine delicate stuff.

 

[n0legs]

I don't have the electric versions mine is air powered, but I have tried both of the other models. In fact because the BIL has a bodyshop I've tried most of the offerings by most of the manufacturers. The Mirkas are just the best. Five panel beaters and they've all got the Mirka, some are about 4-5 years old now. All used at least 2-3 hours a day, every day and none (to my knowledge) have missed a beat. Trust me I would know, I see him a couple of times a week and he's always got something for me to look at :lol:
The only point I would make, as I've learned for my self. Is don't immediately go for the 150mm one. Consider the amount of and type of sanding you do.
Yes the 150 size is very popular and getting discs is easy, nearly everyone stocks them. But I find on narrow stuff the larger disc can be a pain. On an edge, lets say a normal internal door edge, the sander "rolls" over the narrow edge really easily. It can create a "softer" edge than may be desired, it might just be me though :roll:
I've got a little 50mm RO sander, again air powered, and it's a dream on the smaller stuff. Much more controllable. If I was buying again, and I probably will, I'll be getting the 3" Mirka ROS. The control you get on it, especially on the narrow/smaller stuff is bang on.
Just my input if it's any good to you.

 

[Glynne]

Thanks everyone for the comments.
I went to Axminster today and had a play with loads of sanders and plagued the staff with questions about pad savers, ability to use abranet, hoses, connectors etc etc. I even bumped into the Festool rep who was brilliantly helpful not only in terms of Festool products but was also happy to acknowledge the attributes of other manufacturers.
In the end I opted for the Mirka Ceros 125mm as it best fitted what I wanted it to do with a ROS and for me it had the best feel. I took on board some of the advantages of having a 150mm but most of my woodworking doesn't require me to hog off loads of wood and it is really a quality finishing sander I was after. Surprisingly the Festool rep agreed there was little difference between the Festool & Mirka 125s - the Festool probably having the edge for site work with the Mirka being lighter in the workshop.
In chatting to the rep, it transpires that most of Festool's sales are from plunge saws and guides ~ 70% but the trend is that other products are picking up as people are seeing that you get what you pay for and whilst Festool is really expensive (his words), the belief is the quality is there as well.
Festool evidently have no plans to increase prices (although their suppliers might) and this might mean they are more competitive if others raise prices.