Electric Sander - Recommendations Please

[Baby_Sham]

Hi :)

I need to purchase an electric sander. I did buy one, but it's absolute rubbish and doesn't seem to be doing much to the wood I need to sand.

Can anyone recommend one, nothing too expensive, like mid-range maybe.

Thanks.

[Gizmonster]

Just to possibly save you the cost of buying a new sander unecessarily, have tried trying different grades of sandpaper ??

[Baby_Sham]

Hi Gizmonster, I would much, much rather do that than have to pay out for one, but I have no idea what 'grade' I would need to use.
I am sanding an old cable drum. The wood is very thick and rough, and I need to sand off the markings that are the side.

Any ideas?

[Gizmonster]

I'm no expert on these things, but I would guess that you'd need quite a course sandpaper.
You can buy packs that have different grades of sandpaper that would cover a multitude of sins :)

[vulcan42]

You can buy sand paper in different grades ranging from 24 to 1000,although these two are at the extreme range. the most common is 40,80,120,440. 40 and 80 should remove a lot of material fairly quickly and then depending on the finish required, use a finer grade until you get the surface you want. Given a choice I buy glasspaper rather then sandpaper, glasspaper stays sharper longer then sandpaper. Also the paper gets clogged fairly quickly so I use a wire brush to clear it.

[Old_Geezer]

Have a few sanders. Dewalt is a good make. I think you get what you pay for judging from my collection.

[Baby_Sham]

Thanks for the helpful advice. Old_geezer, yes, that's what I thought - hence me preferring to use sandpaper if at all possible, as I know I won't get much use of a sander after I've finished this.

Ok, well thanks for the tips regarding grades. I think my best bet is to go to B&Q tomorrow and see what they've got.
I will also have a look at this 'glasspaper' you've suggested.

Thanks :)

[sandyRoe]

Could you hire a heavy duty one ?

[The Builder]

If you have an ordinary electric drill, Babes, try one of these on the markings that you're trying to remove. .............

http://www.screwfix.com/p/oakey-paint-varnish-remover/97385

Those markings are rather like tattoos. They sink into the grain, so quite a lot of timber has to be removed.

Or, use one of these .............

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb461grd-810w-4-angle-grinder-230-240v/89057

............. fitted with one of these..................

http://www.screwfix.com/p/nylon-backing-pad-115mm-m14x2-0-hole-22mm/41534

.......... with these............

http://www.screwfix.com/p/alox-fibre-disc-115mm-60-grit-pack-of-10/37145

[Old_Geezer]

The lower the number the coarser the grade. 60 is a decent option for removing fast but rough. I tend to have rolls of aluminium oxide type around the place.

[carrust]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-bo4555-2-palm-sander-240v/85198
I have 1 of these & use it daily.