LearnMe: DA Sander with vacuum/dust collection?
 

It's time for a new DA. I have a Harbor Freight unit that I have got a surprising amount of mileage out of, but it's starting to go. I can hear the bearings rumble and the shaft has some play in it. I'm getting to the point in my 23-window project that I am going to be doing a lot of sanding, so I figured this is a good time to upgrade.

I want to get a dust-collector/vacuum-capable DA. I already have a dust collector setup: I have it outside the shop, plumbed through the wall, with a switch inside the shop to turn it on and off. When I set it up, I assumed that having a large-diameter suction hose close to the work would be enough to slurp up any dust. I was wrong.

So the way I understand it is you need a vacuum-capable DA, a hose to connect to the dust collector, and then appropriate sanding media with the holes in it to allow the dust to be pulled through.

Anything else?

Any recommendations on a reasonably-priced D/A for this purpose? I was looking at something like the 3M 28508, but there has to be something less expensive out there.

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Well, I bought into the Festool group for this and that stuff is top cabin at top price. The only advice I can give you is that somehow I missed that Festool makes several models of DA sanders that can be locked into circular mode for quick removal. Whatever you buy, that is a great feature because most of the new breed of sanders have a speed control.

My next sander will be one of those.

One more thing: the Festool has the suction holes in the paper AND on the perimeter of the pad.

Mirka -- the most expensive tool you will ever buy and still love!

Still waiting for the other pieces to get here

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Are using this to sand all of the paint off down to bare metal or to sand filler or all of the above?

Yep, Milt is correct. Festool make a great product and its pretty much dust less using their vacuum (or others). I do not own their RO sander but own a few of their tools. Its very well made. We use a couple of Bosch electric RO sanders in the shop (older models and they will not die) and a Porta Cable out in the field. The Bosch can be locked out as well but cheaper then the Festool. I go electric instead of air power

Normally I wouldn't recommend Festool because frankly I think they're expensive but considering the project ahead of you I will in this case.

They really are great tools but I've always had an issue with the price. Recently I bought a new wood working router.
I looked at the Festool but they were asking well over $1,000. The best from Makita was around $600. I went with Makita because I'm not a pro but if I was it would be hard to go past the Festool.

Here's a good video describing some of the smaller details of the Festool and why they works so well.
(An over heated pad is a big issue with DA sanders. Festool solve that by cooling the pad during use)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aFTw27aC7tk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have an electric Porter Cable with the dust collection hose and collar, and have had a few over the years. They are real workhorses. I have had the six inch Rigid and it will clip right on to a shop vac and will fit right up to a big or small hose. If I was sanding a car with an electric, I'd use the Porter Cable. Fesstool makes the best Vac and sander, but a Porter cable hitched up to a Dustless brand vac or even a Shop Vac with the drywall bags is a remarkably close second.

The vacs with the internal bags are a real game changer, and you can pick up 40 pounds of drywall dust with a Shop Vac and still have good suction. The real reward is when you just pull the bag full of crap out and throw it into the trash without having to deal with loose dust or a clogged main filter. Imagine sucking up 40 pounds of drywall dust and then just lifting out the bag and throwing it away. Imagine that you didn't stop 10 times to clean the filter. Imagine that you sanded an entire car or woodworking project, and you didn't have to service the vac one time.

Cheap bagger vac that works. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shop-Vac-14-Gallon-5-5-HP-Shop-Vacuum/1000519357

Better bagger vac. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dustless-Technologies-DustlessVac-16-Gal-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-D1603/205528286?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD25T%7C25-14_WET+DRY+VACS%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000034127209%7c5 8700003933017535%7c92700041524730409&gclid=CjwKCAj wk7rmBRAaEiwAhDGhxMHBFTEXgjLRQDTeNTZu7i3MnsUkQ_6W6 _30Wl5IMsiTGGQoMjBY1BoCxyAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Porter cable sander, six inch. https://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/pc97466/?inMed=GSTORE&dfw_tracker=18711-PC97466&gclid=CjwKCAjwk7rmBRAaEiwAhDGhxHNwcvmv8tc5 qUpsdjPXHIBLUDmMY9Fkgi0gqponCOA32HyAREJJFhoCHjAQAv D_BwE

Five inch. https://www.ebay.com/p/PORTER-CABLE-97455-5-Inch-Random-Orbit-Sander-with-Dust-Collection/25012045947?thm=1000&chn=ps

It is easier to run the five inch. Tough units you can run all day.

Rigid. An OK unit. https://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-R2611-Sander-6-Inch-Random/dp/B001W0ZI1S

Just for filler and high-solids primer

How are you going to block sand the primer? Any of these RO sanders will leave waves.

First and foremost, I have accepted the fact that I will not be able to eliminate all waves.

Secondly, I will be block sanding the big areas with a 24" hard block, by hand.

My I suggest a flexible long block? I know there are quite a bit of flat areas on a VW bus but there are some subtle compound curves as well, especially the roof.

I painted the hood on the "Carrera R" to match after hitting some serious debris on the freeway.

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The FB made it come out pretty well.

Yes, I am using a couple different durometers of sanding blocks, but they do conform somewhat. I have the MotorGuard FB-1 and various sizes of DuraBlock

Here's the dust collector setup I have. The collector sits outside, and is plumbed through the wall so I don't have to hear it in the shop. It's switched from inside the shop.

damn mac and their auto-photo-rotate

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