How to use an orbital sander!

[MrsRenovator]

I have used a belt sander, a palm sander and a delta sander for years. Now I have bought a Milwaukee 125mm orbital sander. I thought it would be self evident how to use it, but it isn't.

I can't decide how fast to move the sander. And does going with the grain make any difference? When I get jutter/dotty-trail marks, does that mean I was going too slowly?

Sometimes it jumps and glides off to the side. Should I apply any pressure to try to keep it more under control?

And do you alter how you handle the sander at all, depending on whether it's softwood or hardwood?

Thanks for your advice

 

[blup]

Is it a corded model? Does it have a random orbital action? The gearing of a random orbital sander creates an eccentric action which in turn generates the rotation. It can remove material quickly but should be able to produce a finer finish. Hold it two handed and lightly, and practice at different speeds and pressures to get the feel.

 

[MrsRenovator]

Battery operated/cordless random orbital.

14,000 to 24,000 sanding strokes per minute for faster material removal.
Variable speed with six speed settings allows the correct speed to be set for different materials

Is the faster speed necessarily quicker?

 

[blup]

Milwaukee make very powerful cordless tools, the ros sander looks quite unbalanced with the battery at the rear especially as it seems designed for one handed use. Even on lowest speed 14,000 strokes per minute is pretty fast . Choose a lower speed and use both hands, ultimately it may be too much for you but persist for the moment.

 

[big-all]

if its a palm sander you use one hand just keep it moving don't concentrate on one area and feather in high spots over a few inches
iff you have a tendancy to lean with your hand try rotating 180 degrees so the battery is facing your hand rather than under your arm ...this comment is for side mounted batteries not top mounted batteries

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

When I get jutter/dotty-trail marks, does that mean I was going too slowly?

It means you are not steadying the sander, grip it firmly, to steady it, but don't press it down.

 

[foxhole]

Don’t turn it on unless it’s in contact with the wood or it skips and jumps.

 

[conny]

Keep the abrasive paper flat against the wood and use light pressure for smoothing.
If you are stripping paint/varnish you can apply a bit more pressure, but the secret is to keep the sanding head spinning without slowing it down too much.
Practice on some scrap wood. Trial and error is the best way to figure out what causes it to do things wrong and what causes it to do it right.
Patience is the key.

 

[MrsRenovator]

Hmm... I always turn sanders on in my hand before putting them on the timber.

 

[MrsRenovator]

Patience is the key.

That is the exact quality that I am deficient in!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Don’t turn it on unless it’s in contact with the wood or it skips and jumps.

I've literally never done that ever, OP I would check out youtube, plenty of good advice and actual practical demonstrations rather than minor little anecdotes.

 

[big-all]

I've literally never done that ever, OP I would check out youtube, plenty of good advice and actual practical demonstrations rather than minor little anecdotes.

keep it standard to save confusion, always start machine before presenting work or too work if handheld because some motors need a load free time to get up to speed

 

[blup]

I've literally never done that ever, OP I would check out youtube, plenty of good advice and actual practical demonstrations rather than minor little anecdotes.

The lowest speed on the Milwaukee is higher than the highest speed on the Makita equivalent, so it's designed for fast removal of material. The OP might have been better off with a diy type tool

 

[MrsRenovator]

Ha ha. Cheek. As I said, I can handle a belt sander, so I think I can master an orbital! But it's definitely a different animal.

I like to take advantage of others experience. It doesn't mean I'm incapable. It just means that if I had a father or a grandfather or even an uncle alive, they would be able to give me handy tips. But I haven't. So I ask men on this forum who have spent a disproportionate amount of their lives in a shed... So they know 'useful stuff'.

 

[MrsRenovator]

The first thing I used the sander for was this bench I bought on facebook for £50. Hardwood, painted. Although I resorted to the belt sander for the damaged sections on the seat that were obscured by the brown paint. Finished it with tung oil.

But now I'm doing some softwood pine where I need to go a bit easier and I don't think I'm getting the most out of the sander because I'm not handling it properly. I'll try a slower speed and see if that helps.