I have both a ¼ sheet and a 5” Porter Cable (PC) Variable Speed ROM. Since I got the 5” sander I have not used the ¼ sander. Here is way:

The round edge makes for easy work smoothing the inside of the hull.

The 5” connects to the vacuum cleaner so nicely (after slight modifications to the dust hoper). So there is no cedar dust (allergenic) in the air.

PC can use ether 5 hole or 8 hole paper.

You can use ether hook and loop paper or self adhesive paper (I have only used hook and loop so far).

As for sand paper price, I have found it not much of an issue any more. The three things I have found with the paper;

1st the five packs of paper are usually the most expensive way to buy it. Especially it you are buying the tan or gray colored paper form the hardware/lumber store.

2nd 3M sells a 50 pack box of the tan paper for about $12.50 which is a good price. The bad thing is you have to buy 50 sheets of the same grit paper. The only place I can find it is at the better hardware stores or specialty stores.

3rd In my opinion so far, Busch paper is the best paper I have bought (the only sanding I have done with it is the inside of a hull with this paper). I think it was $4.50 - $5.50 for a 5 pack. Expensive for 5 sheets but I have defiantly have used less sandpaper, I was told (I think) that this is a resin coated paper to make it last longer. I still have not worn out a single sheet of this paper, however it is a little tattered on the edges.

Look at your options, weigh the differences and choose the best for your needs. With the cheap paper you could easily use 15 sheets of paper and probably more on a boat. With the Busch paper I have a feeling I will use maybe three sheets of paper.

About the only place a ¼ sheet sanders works is on the outside of the hull. It is a lot of work trying to sand the inside surface with the ¼ sheet sander.

Jason Given

: rom's seem to be the sander of choice for wood kayak construction but which
: one? the round ones only seem to come with the velcro style adhesive and
: the sanding discs are lots of money. Is anyone using the 1/4 sheet square
: rom sanders or is the round one better? thanks