: Starting out my first boatbuilding project (CLC Cheasapeake) and wanted to
: get some advice on a sander. CLC recommends a RO but people I've spoken
: with say they leave "swirl" marks in the epoxy. Any thoughts?
: Also, is a variable speed sander advantageous? Thanks, Doug

Doug

The Random Orgital Sander is far and away the best buy out there for a multi-purpose sander. This sander was specifically designed with the dual orbital feature to eliminate the swirl marks. The sander will also cut much faster than the standard orbital, nearing the performance of the belt sander. The reason most or any sander leaves the swirl marks is Orbit speed and/or human error. Some older sanders had a speed of 5,000 to 8,000 rpm. They would almost always leave swirl marks. The newer orbitals and the random orbitals turn out around 10,000 to over 14,000 rpm. Even the standard orbitals would be O.K. if you work progressively up in grits and work over a surface well. I used a standard orbital for 10 to 12 years and never had a problem of swirl marks, and that's because I worked with the different grit papers and took my time. If you have swirls in your finish, ring it up to human laziness and/or an old, slow sander.

Rehd