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4 Best Finishing Sanders in the Business

By Mallory Kramer

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Published: 01Jan2010
Word count: 686
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Finishing sanders are used to produce the smoothest, finest finishes to your craft and carpentry projects. Helping craftsmen achieve the most seamless, professional results, finish sanders do a seriously good deed to the tool and woodworking community. To get the most unwaveringly, brilliantly smooth results, however, there are four finish sanders from Festool and Porter-Cable that truly cast shadows over the competition.

Festool brings craftsmen the Rotex RO 150 and the RTS 400 EQ finishing sanders - both of which are tools that are truly difficult to put down. The Rotex RO 150 is a heavy-duty, high-performance sander with the power to tackle any application and the refinement to do it with delicacy and style. It features a simple dual-sanding system which allows operators to sand in a random orbital mode for uncommonly fine sanding or switch into a gear-driven, aggressive mode for rapid stock removal. A (detachable) auxiliary handle provides you with greater control during these more aggressive sanding jobs. With variable speed control, constant speed under load, and thermal and over-load protection the sander can aggressively or delicately match each application. Despite this big power, however, the tool weighs only 5 lbs, boasts very low vibration, and has a superior ergonomic design to bring craftsmen a tough package that's also simple and surprisingly pleasant to work with. The sander's gearbox is completely enclosed to protect the bearing unit from dust and debris; this vastly extends the life of the tool and its components. Additionally, a jet-stream dust extraction system ensures your work environment is a clean and safe space.

Festool continues innovating the finish sander with the RTS 400 EQ flat surface finish sander. With strength, balance, and truly intelligent design the tool is, essentially, in a league of its own. Weighing only 2.4 lbs the sander is compact and lightweight, and with an ergonomic design it is comfortable to operate despite continuous or awkward use. The sander's balanced design (with vibration stop technology) and simple to operate speed control system render the tool uncommonly smooth and give craftsmen the ability to appropriately ascribe different speeds to each different application. The tool's orbital sanding motion produces full pad contact with the sanding surface, thus, minimizing any swirl effect and yielding strikingly smooth finishes. With a narrow profile rectangular pad design, craftsmen have superior access to tight spaces, the design additionally allows for close sanding on edges and frame members for the most professional finishes from edge to edge. Abrasive removal is quick and simple with the tool's resilient pad hooks and hard-wearing fabric backing - this also, pleasantly, contributes to a longer abrasive and pad life.

Additionally, Porter-Cable builds some of the finest, most trusted finishing sanders in the industry offering craftsmen designs and durability to withstand heavy-use and rough jobsite environments. Delivering the entire spectrum of "really great finishing sander" perks, Porter-Cable's 330 and 344 offer the most commendable features in a seriously high-quality sander. The 330 is small (at only 4 lbs) and ultra simple and comfortable to use. Despite being a smaller tool, the sander is still incredibly sturdy and incorporates rubber posts to isolate your hand from vibration; essentially the tool delivers aggressive sanding action without the stress and fatigue of heavy vibration. The tool orbits at 14,000 OPM to ensure the smoothest, most superfine finishes. Altogether, the 330 is compact, lightweight, comfortable, buttery smooth, and delivers an incredibly fine finish.

The 344 (5") random orbit sander is another treasure from Porter-Cable that exceeds all expectations. Using its powerful and yet oh so delicate style, the tool provides craftsmen with ridiculously smooth surfaces. It's optimized ergonomics are designed to enhance the comfort and usability of the tool, and weighing only 4.05 lbs, the tool is a feather weight with a furious appetite to finish your surfaces with a super-finer quality unlike any other. With a 3 amp motor and super fast 12,000 OPM this sander offers superior consistency, blending, and durability. Additionally, the tool is simple to use, comfortable to operate, ultra smooth, and easy to maintain rendering it, basically, a quality sanding essential.

Each of these sanders is sure to offer you striking results and professionally fine finishes that will leave you smiling after every use.

A student at the UofU, Mallory is currently earning an English degree. Specializing in tool parts & web communications, she joined M&M Tool 4 yrs ago adding to their over 150 yrs combined experience. For over 70 yrs M&M Tool has provided the best service to the tool industry with replacement parts, sales, & service to woodworking products, machinery & power tools like Festool's 567817 finish sander, and Porter-Cable's 330 finish sander.

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