Makita DBO180Z
VerifiedMPN: DBO180Z2 reviews
Light and easy to use but not perfect – We bought this to replace a corded (and ancient) Bosch RO sander that while still working had all the drawbacks of a corded tool. It has 3 speed settings (7, 9.5 &11k OPM) and a 2.8mm orbit action. In use, I really miss the 'D' handle of the Bosch becasue this really doesn't have anywhere to get a good grip on it and that makes it a little hard for precision work or odd shapes (like wooden arms on a chair for example) where it's difficult to guide. However, it's got plenty of power and does a great job of bulk sanding work in areas where something like my half sheet sander isn't a good fit. The 'fit' of the dust collector isn't great and you get a bit of dust from around the joint and in our market the cloth reusable dust bag option isn't available (although you can get it out of the UK like I have).
Purchased in at Sydney Tools for $202.
At last, a useful sander – I purchased a Makita Cordless Random Orbit Sander close to a year ago, and it has become one of my go-to tools. I won't go into the design specifics (that's Makita's domain) but it essentially follows a complex orbit and rotates at the same time. I've gone battery because portability and some strange locations make battery easier, and so long as you're kitted with one supplier at 18 volts it makes sense as you can swap batteries when required. I find battery life is more than adequate using 5.0 AHr or 6.0 AHr batteries though if you were going all day in one location 240 volt could be preferable. The balance in your hand is incredibly good, probably due to the excellent battery position. I've used it facing down, sideways and upwards with only the dust being an issue which brings me to a point; it does chuck out a fair bit of dust and the supplied dust filter is in my opinion next to useless, so I leave it off; just don't aim the exhaust at your face! I use a mix of 40 grit (removal of paint etc) 80 grit (levelling out) and 120 grit (ready for painting) discs that you can buy quite easily from Bunnings or similar. Its also good finishing plaster repairs for painting, though you'll need a vacuum cleaner close to hand. It replaces my sanding block, belt sander and (rectangular) orbital sander though I still use a multi tool to access corners.
Purchased in for $184.28.
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