Does size matter?

[tyro]

I looking to buy a random orbital sander. Although it will be used for general DIY tasks the one which has triggered the purchase is sanding my stairs back to bare wood. The riser depth from tread to underside of a deep bull-nose is 7".

The sanders seem to come in 5" or 6". I get the impression 6" is the more popular but will I be able to use this size on the risers bearing in mind the limited leeway between tread and bull-nose? Not having used one before I don't know how much they have to be moved about.

Any general views on 5" V 6"?

Also, any views on the metabo sxe 425/450, or bosch gex124ac/150ac?

 

[Jasonb]

I've got the SXE450 and have used it for the same thing in the past, take the front handle off so you can get nearer the strings. I also used a delta sander to get into the corners.

very happy with the Metabo, solid construction, nice to hold. Use it with a dust extractor if you have one although the paper bag is quite effective.

Rutlands are doing it with 2 free bessey clamps http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/p...@cRandom Orbital Sanders@b|0|user|1,0,0,1|12|

Jason

 

[tyro]

Thanks Jason I think I'll go for that one, www.tool-net.co.uk have it for £138 which seems suspiciously cheap - are then any bits I should check it comes with e.g. backing pads, dust bags or is the spec quite standard?

 

[Jasonb]

Comes with standard backing pad, I dust bag and i think a few discs. I'd pay the extra £7 and get the bessey clamps from Rutlands thrown in.

Jason