better R.O. sander?

[kbowen]

I must say that this is the first Milwaukee tool I have ever been seriously displeased with. The instant you lift the thing from the work it begins to wind up the RPM on the pad like a centrifuge, so that when you touch it to the work again, it can leave a substantial gouge. In addition, the switch is recessed and covered with a vinyl bubble and it is difficult to turn off easily. Did I mention that it takes a long time to slow down when you do turn it off? These combined factors make me do unsafe things like keeping it on the work longer than I might and setting it on the workbench b4 it's done spinning. aggravating. Any rec's for a random-orbit sander that solves these issues?

Ken

[seedy]

Milwaukee ain't what it used to be.

[landlocked sailor]

I agree, it's not a Milwaukee issue. You have a defective tool. Rick

[MiddleAgesMan]

There should be a rubber band preventing what you are describing. My Porter Cable RO sander did exactly what you describe when that rubber band broke.

[RodB]

Porter Cable 390 5" ROS

Great sander and the plastic ring brake is less than $4 and takes 3 minutes to replace.

RodB

[JimConlin]

The Festool 'rotex' sanders are very good, and spendy.



I've had a couple of Porter-cable right-angle RO sanders and they are well made, but not as refined as the festool units. They're half the cost of the Festool.

[purri]

Festool all the way (though very exxy)

[David G]

Milwaukee ain't what it used to be.

Sorry, but that's just plain wrong... unless you mean that they've improved across the board. One of my suppliers is primarily a tool repair shop, though they sell a few lines of tools. Biggest and best in town. Been around many decades. They have their pick of dealerships, and they have chosen: Bosch; Milwaukee; Fein; Festool. They an authorized service center for many other brands as well. So they see a wide variety of tools, and see how they hold up.

So... I talked to the owner just recently about the state of the industry, and which brands are on the rise, and which are fading... and why.

His take on Milwaukee -- they are part of a larger firm that also owns Ryobi and Rigid. They've made a conscious decision to make Ryobi their budget/home handyman line, Rigid their tradesman line - with good but not great quality, and Milwaukee their high-end line. They have been sinking money into R&D (more, he thinks, than any other brand lately), and the game plan if for the MIlwaukee stuff to always be at the lead in terms of technology, innovation, and durability - while not attempting to step into Festool territory. He thinks they've been succeeding. He said they see very few Milwaukee tools coming back for repairs, and that their new cordless lines are a big hit in the marketplace. I have to say his comments meshed entirely with my experience with a couple of purchases made in the last few years (router, cordless multi-tool).

But... having said all that... it's also true that some lines are known for particular tools. Not many can compare with Bosch's jigsaws and routers, for instance. Festool makes some killer sanders. Fein makes the benchmark oscillating multi-tool. And I'm not sure Milwaukee would be my first thought when it comes to random orbit sanders.

[seedy]

Agree, David G, in general, but I think there was a period there before this where things were not so wonderful and improved. I don't own much Mil stuff, but a contractor friend no longer buys them based on most recent experience he had, yet before that he was big on 'em, he was growling about their decline not so long ago. I'll have to tell him about what you wrote. Good to hear that the backing is there for them to pursue quality.

[landlocked sailor]

It's the rubber band that's broken, like MAM says; they all worrk the same way. Rick

[David G]

It's the rubber band that's broken, like MAM says; they all worrk the same way. Rick

Indeed... this is likely. And not uncommon. It's an inexpensive item, easily replaced.