Random Orbit Sander advice?

[Chris152]

I'm going to place an order/ buy a ROS tomorrow/ Wednesday and plan to get the Metabo Sxe450 Duo/ turbo one, based on the comments it's received on the forum. Most of the comments are now several years old - before I go ahead and buy the Metabo, are there any others in the sub-£150 price range I should be considering instead? I like the dual function (stock removal/ finishing) and want a 150mm sander.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Chris

 

[NickN]

It's the one I plan to get as soon as budget allows, seems like it's still got the most attractive quality to price ratio and is reasonably priced.

 

[Bodgers]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Metabo for the money. They make decent stuff. I have the 80mm SXE400 (I find the smaller size more useful) and I really like. It is actually made in Germany as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[marcros]

i have the metabo. no complaints with it.

what i would recommend is using abranet on it. It is a better, quicker abrasive and you dont have to line up the extraction holes in disks with these on the sander! Shop around for it. I have used a few different suppliers, depending on whether i wanted any other bits at the same time. Ebay sometimes have some deals on mixed boxes, and when you know what you use most of, you can look for a box of an individual grit.

you need to get a pad saver or you will wear out the velcro on the more expensive backing pad. https://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/ ... gKLsvD_BwE

there is also an interface pad, which is a bit softer, and used for curves. https://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/ ... gJYdfD_BwE

The replacement pad, by comparison is about £20.

 

[Jasper42]

Not sure where you are buying it from but anglia tool centre have it at £129.69 including VAT and free Delivery 2 to 3 working days.

https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/meta ... gIJD_D_BwE

 

[Chris152]

Well, I ordered this morning from Anglia! That was the best price I could find, £20 cheaper than the local supplier I thought to buy from. I spent the difference on packs of paper - I looked for a mixed pack of Abranet but they didn't have one, so I need to find one for when the paper runs out. And definitely going to buy a pad saver too - thanks for the links.

Thanks all for your thoughts - really looking forward to getting and trying it out!

C

 

[Lons]

If mine died I'd replace it immediately with the same model Chris. Never let me down and gives excellent results especially if you use Abranet disks. I bought half a dozen full boxes in several grits from a dealer on fleebay last year. I find 240g the most useful for my needs

I bought a couple of pad savers as well when I got the machine, well worth the money.
Bob

 

[Chris152]

Arrived yesterday and I used it this morning - what a fantastic bit of kit! I went from 60 to 320 in 5 steps and it left a beautiful finish, smooth and easy to use in both modes. Thanks all. C

 

[JJ1]

what a fantastic bit of kit!

I couldn't agree more. I've had mine for four years now and would buy exactly the same again in a heartbeat. An excellent bit of kit.

 

[MrDavidRoberts]

The sxe450 is hands down the best sander you can get up to 200pound mark!
you could have gotten it cheaper tho from same angliatoolcentre website if you would have used the extra 5% discount coupon: 72SUCVZ
makes it £123.46 delivered next day, can't beat that..

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Another discount code; 648VPVB

Just ordered my sander, have kitchen counter tops to refurbish.

Mike.

 

[Chris152]

#-o

 

[MikeJhn]

New code: RA1J3DN

Just ordered mine also, have a three storey staircase to get the varnish off, building is 1400 so there may be a few layers. #-o

Mike

 

[MikeJhn]

Anyone found a source for the Abranet at a reduced price? Found an E-bay seller offering 50 @ £29.60, any others?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2548.l4275

Just found this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2548.l4275

And this with a limited grit range: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2535804993

Anyone any recommendations of what grit to use on an Oak staircase with layers of varnish/stain? I will try obviously in an unobtrusive place first, anyone done this already?

Mike

 

[MrDavidRoberts]

Anyone found a source for the Abranet at a reduced price? Found an E-bay seller offering 50 @ £29.60, any others?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2548.l4275

Just found this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2548.l4275

And this with a limited grit range: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirka-Abrane ... 2535804993

Anyone any recommendations of what grit to use on an Oak staircase with layers of varnish/stain? I will try obviously in an unobtrusive place first, anyone done this already?

Mike

Ebay is the best source I get mine from there as well, However I would get something from Mirka basecut range, those papers are much more durable than the abranet and cost 4-5x less.
I buy mine at around 8-10pence/each for 150mm when bought in 50-100 packs. I do not like the abranet stuff at all it just tears up if you aren't sanding a flat surface and also messes up your base, Just an overhyped stuff.. dust collection is maybe 5% better for sure, but even If they would cost the same I would not use them...Still have lots of them left.

 

[MikeJhn]

I don't know what Abranet you have, but I find them almost impossible to destroy let alone tear, last better than anything else I have ever tried and the dust collection is amazing in comparison.

Mike

 

[Lons]

I do not like the abranet stuff at all it just tears up if you aren't sanding a flat surface and also messes up your base, Just an overhyped stuff.. dust collection is maybe 5% better for sure, but even If they would cost the same I would not use them...Still have lots of them left.

Maybe you should post your unwanted Abranet in the for sale section as it seems the vast majority of uses, me included are very happy with the quality of Abranet and I'm sure you will sell if the price is right.
Perhaps it's worth evaluating your methods before slamming a product as rubbish?

I have several boxes in various grades left over from my business where I used it extensively with no issues whatsoever and as a business my reputation was vital and my aim to do the job right first time with no call backs meant I used only products that were proven and I could trust.

Just my opinion based on years of using that particular brand on several ROS including the Metabo 450

cheers
Bob

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think every turner I know uses Abranet.

 

[Simou1]

Used Abranet for years on a Mirka Deros, several Metabo's and the two Festool Rotex's. It is a brilliant product: strong, flexible, excellent dust extraction and very cost effective.

I would have been very concerned if Mr DR had praised it, so I have patted myself on the back for purchasing a superb abrasive over the years along with thousands of others who dismiss such nonsense and use one of the very best abrasives available.

 

[MikeJhn]

I would have been very concerned if Mr DR had praised it, so I have patted myself on the back for purchasing a superb abrasive over the years along with thousands of others who dismiss such nonsense and use one of the very best abrasives available.

Please do not feed the trolls, it gets them excited and they may breed. :wink:

Mike