Air powered sander...?

[The Z'eer]

The electric powered sander bit the dust a while ago. I guess there is the option of cordless lithium powered but I fancy an air powered tool for the usual reasons.

At the moment I plan to use it for carpentry but I also want it for automotive bodywork. Can an air powered sander undertake both these jobs or is there specific tools for this?

Thanks

 

[optima21]

there are who range of sanders available for different jobs, finger (belt) sanders, detail sanders, palm sanders, die grinders, 5" or 6" round double acting sanders, long bed flat sanders. it all depends on what you're planning on doing, electric sanders may be a bit bulkier, but for will have cheaper running costs as a 3hp compressor will costs 4 times as much to run as a 500w motor. although for domestic use, running costs shouldnt be an issue.

 

[WorkshopChris]

If you are paying the bill for compressing the air, an planning on doing much work a sander like this will soon cover its purchase cost.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/mirka-d...olution-kit-with-50-abranet-discs-hose-506748
Superb bit of kit.

 

[The Z'eer]

there are who range of sanders available for different jobs, finger (belt) sanders, detail sanders, palm sanders, die grinders, 5" or 6" round double acting sanders, long bed flat sanders. it all depends on what you're planning on doing, electric sanders may be a bit bulkier, but for will have cheaper running costs as a 3hp compressor will costs 4 times as much to run as a 500w motor. although for domestic use, running costs shouldnt be an issue.

Many thanks for the info there at the moment I'm looking at general carpentry work, but eventually bodywork will be undertaken.

Point taken about electricity costs, certainly something to bear in mind. At this point however, and for domestic usage as you mention it won't be an issue.

A die grinder and several angle grinders I have already, I don't think they're of much usage here.

What is a belt sander used for?

 

[The Z'eer]

If you are paying the bill for compressing the air, an planning on doing much work a sander like this will soon cover its purchase cost.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/mirka-d...olution-kit-with-50-abranet-discs-hose-506748
Superb bit of kit.

I'm sure it is, certainly looks to be a very durable product. Sadly, I'm not trade and due to the usage it'd receive the £420.00 price tag couldn't be justified. Thanks anyway

 

[optima21]

What is a belt sander used for?

google it, I could say its for sanding belts, but its not.......I was meaning the like an air powered powerfile.

 

[Turbo]

I started with a electric DA disc sander but I now use a air powered one. The air one is so much nicer to use, lighter, easier to manoeuvre and more accurate. I use mine for both car & woodwork.

Be aware that air sanders are very air hungry, you will need at least a 3hp compressor to keep up with it.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I use an air driven sander from Axminster, cost around £24. Specifically got it for wet & dry work on bodies, where a 230v might be a bit risky!

 

[The Z'eer]

I started with a electric DA disc sander but I now use a air powered one. The air one is so much nicer to use, lighter, easier to manoeuvre and more accurate. I use mine for both car & woodwork.

Be aware that air sanders are very air hungry, you will need at least a 3hp compressor to keep up with it.

Thanks for the reply I think my 3 hp compressor will suffice for now, eventually far more air/power will be available for the bigger jobs. What make and model do you use may I ask?

 

[The Z'eer]

I use an air driven sander from Axminster, cost around £24. Specifically got it for wet & dry work on bodies, where a 230v might be a bit risky!

I think that's sound advice, and I prefer the idea of an air powered tool for practical reasons as opposed to 240 volt or lithium powered.

 

[brianblock]

I use one of these
https://www.toolstop.co.uk/sealey-sa09-air-palm-orbital-sander-150mm-dust-free-p67207

Used mainly for woodwork and metalwork but would be ideal for car bodyworking

 

[The Z'eer]

I use one of these
https://www.toolstop.co.uk/sealey-sa09-air-palm-orbital-sander-150mm-dust-free-p67207

Used mainly for woodwork and metalwork but would be ideal for car bodyworking

That's not a bad price either quite a durable and robust product would you say?

 

[KemppiFrog]

I think that's sound advice, and I prefer the idea of an air powered tool for practical reasons as opposed to 240 volt or lithium powered.

I spent some time looking after aircraft and all our tools were airpowered. The drills had tiny heads with collet chucks, good for tight corners.

 

[chris pruteanu]

As above, an air powered snap on/mirka air orbital sander is ideal to use for panel/bodywork as they are lighter and don’t clog as much due to the way exhausted air blows the dust and especially for wet sanding however a quality orbital sander from Milwaukee/makita/Bosch or festool is a very versatile tool although a bit bulkier than air powered version.
I have a makita variable speed orbital sander and it’s brilliant, leaves very few swirl marks and usualy a bit of light rubbing with soapy water and wet& dry sandpaper gets rid of marks !

 

[brianblock]

That's not a bad price either quite a durable and robust product would you say?

Yes lasts years

 

[Turbo]

My DA sander is a cheapie from Lidl but it does the job.

 

[Daz1968]

I have a Mirka ceros it’s smaller than the deros, in fact about same size and weight as an air da, but has separate transformer.
I also have an air da, unfortunately the air da is very loud and with the compressor working hard as well, I have found the ceros superb and it’s good for wood and car bodywork, also due to low voltage and sealed motor is fine when wet sanding. One of my better tool purchases and has paid for itself by now.
A lot of cheap electric da sanders are 125mm and discs choice is limited.

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Good morning gents. My two cents worth time. I have both air and electric. I have air specially for wet sanding for reasons stated previously, however my electric sanders get the most use and ease of use. I have all Festo now Festool, and may I point out oils ain't oils and electric hand tools aren't all the same. I still have my first Festo random orbital 3mm stroke sander I bought over 20 years ago and it still goes. It is also the first sander I get out, it is because of this sander I got many Festool tools. In over twenty years technology has improved but this Festo 3mm orbit electric sander still holds it's own. Another thing to conciser is the extra noise generated from a compressor, let alone the extra power consumption

 

[chris pruteanu]

Good morning gents. My two cents worth time. I have both air and electric. I have air specially for wet sanding for reasons stated previously, however my electric sanders get the most use and ease of use. I have all Festo now Festool, and may I point out oils ain't oils and electric hand tools aren't all the same. I still have my first Festo random orbital 3mm stroke sander I bought over 20 years ago and it still goes. It is also the first sander I get out, it is because of this sander I got many Festool tools. In over twenty years technology has improved but this Festo 3mm orbit electric sander still holds it's own. Another thing to conciser is the extra noise generated from a compressor, let alone the extra power consumption

The saying goes: buy cheap, buy twice ! As you mentioned above, tools are not what they used to be- years ago I was on the tools as a carpenter and I have started buying tools out of stall markets or new from shop. Old AEG, Elu, makita and Hilti. Then started buying Dewalt then quit the trade in 2004 as the recession hit ! Let me tell you that old Elu were a lot better than later Dewalt after Black and Decker bought them, same with Milwaukee before AEG took over the company. The only tools that improved in quality were the Makita’s and it was because they had a tough market to get in with loads of competition !

I had the first uk set of Milwaukee 28V Li Ion tools which were very, very good but the batteries let them down- I still have them and I am hoping to buy new 28v batteries so they can get proper use again. Then upgraded to Panasonic battery drills ant they had fantastic batteries but poor specs at drilling. Only hilti held their stats but at a price !

Nowadays I buy mainly Makita specialist gear, the odd Electra Beckum, Metabo, I have Milwaukee 18v brushless gear and Snap On hand tools. A couple of Dewalt planers and metal chop saws and mainly older Bosch grinders ! As with everything in life you get what you pay for- I don’t go by make anymore, if the tool feels good made and its affordable then I will buy-it !
Festool is really made but I prefer Mafell or felisatti for woodworking... I cannot justify the price difference between some products which do same thing the same way especially is they are precision tools. I don’t do cabinet making/furniture anymore but I know a good tool leaves a better finish ALWAYS ! A good tradesman will do a satisfactory job with poor tools but a **** one won’t do wonders with the best gear available !

Nowadays I bought a Lincoln v205 AC/DC welder at nearly 5k with accessories, then bought two Thermal Arc’s TA 202 AC/DC, guess what ? I use one of the TA 202 mostly and it hasn’t missed a beat. The torches are better made on the Thermal arc and it’s less fussy with low currents compared with the Lincoln ! As above, buy good value for money and don’t be a make snob or fan- there’s always a better product out here !