Allowing coarse or finer sanding, the eccentric sander appeals for its versatile character. A feature that prevents users from investing in the purchase of several sanders for their different types of work.
Eccentric sander: several possible uses
Of the portable type, the eccentric sander is an essential polishing and sanding tool for DIYers wishing to remove paint from paneling, renovate beams or even restore old furniture.
It is versatile and can be used for finishing, semi-finishing and roughing on all kinds of surfaces, including PVC, metal and, of course, wood. It is also possible to polish a car body, to work plaster or to polish noble and delicate materials such as marble. But for the device to adapt to these different uses, it is important to choose the most suitable disc.
In addition, some rules must be observed during use. As with all power tools, it is prohibited to use the eccentric model in wet areas. The start-up is carried out in the air before gently placing the device on the surface to be worked. When the surface is very sensitive, it is preferable to start immediately on the material and to increase the power little by little.
The specifics of an eccentric sander
There are many models of orbital sanders on the market. They have a wide range of characteristics starting with the power of the motor which can range from 300 to 800 W and which can be pneumatic or electric. The eccentric sander comes with different types of abrasives to choose from depending on the operation to be performed. Among them are the sanding disc, the buffing disc and the polishing foam.
For optimal operation, the tool is to be equipped with a few accessories: a suction sole, a self-gripping sole and a dust bag. Depending on the quality of the sander, some come with specific options including the electronic drive, allowing control of the speed of oscillation and rotation.
Advantages and disadvantages of the eccentric sander
The rotating plate fitted to the random orbit sander, which is hook-and-loop mounted on the abrasive disc, offers both rotation and oscillation function, which allows the tool to combine the qualities of a sander. vibrating to those of a grinder. This feature also avoids leaving marks when the device passes over the surface.
Note that the eccentric sander adapts to both flat and rounded surfaces. It has a very appreciable maneuverability and can be equipped with a telescopic arm to facilitate work in areas located at height. Still in terms of comfort of use, some models have an engine block separated from the outer casing, which reduces vibrations and avoids the feeling of tingling in the arms during use.
Although the random orbit sander offers many advantages, it also has some limitations. For example, it cannot be used for sanding corners. On this type of operation, the use of vibrating or belt sanders will be recommended.