: Okay, all you long time boat builders out there feel free to chime in on this
: one. I'm going to buy my first sander to build my first kayak and am
: looking for your advice. If you only had budget for one good sander which
: would it be? Also, would you go with 1/4 sheet or 5" random orbital?
: I'm thinking Porter Cable 333 (or 333VS which is currently $79 at Amazon)
: for the ROS and Makita BO4552KX for the 1/4 sheet (which is currently $49
: at Amazon). Of course, I like the idea of saving money, but if it's going
: to take me twice as long to do the same job as a ROS it may not be worth
: it. Do I need both?

: Thanks in advance,
: Ken

Hi Ken

It's the neighbor... again!
Take a run over to Orchard hdwr, it's on Villa and Shaw, just around the corner from you. Look in the Tool-Crib at the West door. They have several makes and models usually. You can get a feel for them there. I bought one Sears sander and one Makita, palm style, and use them both. Both ROS and I recommend you do pick one that's R.O. You vary the cut with different grit discs. Or, if you save on the sander by going less expensive, you can pick up a speed control..

I believe they have Porter Cable, Makita, DeWalt, Ryobi and Craftsman tools there.

Before you buy on the internet, check Sears, Orchard or H.D. prices and then check the internet prices ( plus shipping and handling ) and you may be just as well off getting it locally. Especially if something happens to it... I use the Sears sander for large flat surfaces and the Makita for just about anything else. ( it's all in the handle set-up )

My Makita BO5010 is of the 8 hole variety and has the dust bag, but works better on the Shop Vac. set up. The Sears is not Shop Vac. friendly since it uses a smallish slide on box to catch the dust...

You could also trip on over to Sears at the Sierra Vista Mall and check out their variety... maybe more there.

Don't, however, buy Sears discs as they don't hold up well. These guys have come up with some pretty good sites to pick up their sanding discs and belts, both more reasonable and better quality. I don't know anyone here local that sells real good quality discs. Maybe Ideal Saw down on Van Ness and the freeway, but I haven't checked them out.

Rehd