Recommendations on delta shaped sander?

GBurton · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

I need a tool to sand into corners and such places. The delta shaped sanders seem to fit the bill. Anybody have one? Care to comment on its effectiveness?

Thanks for any help

ehmanta · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

I bought a Porter-Cable detail sander several years ago and really tried to make it work, but it leaves sanding swirls which are hard to get out. I don't think it has a high enough OPM (Orbits Per Minute)
I recently bit the bullit and bought what I should have in the first place.... A Fein MultiMaster detail kit. It's a lot more expensive than the Porter Cable, but it has a much higher OPM.
There's also one from Festool that looks promising.
When sanding teak, be prepared to change paper a lot for teak is oily and will load up the paper quickly. Teak is also abrasive to cutting instruments due to its silica content, so it will also dull the sand paper quicker.

GBurton · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Thanks for that. After doing some more research it seems like the way to go.

camaraderie · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Don't get the Black & Decker mouse shaped one. Awful.
We ended up getting the Ryobi Detail sander which was much better and more manoeverable in tight spots:

GBurton · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

The Fein multimaster kit that I need is $300

Does this mean it can sand all by itself? Ah well, a drop in the bucket of boat dollars.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

Gburton-

How big is your boat... it is either .3 Boat bucks or 3 boat bucks...either case, a small drop in the big picture.

soulesailor · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

It also does a TON of other things in addition to sanding. Quite a handy tool to own, especially if you need a sander capable of reaching into corners anyway.

lharmon · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

I have both the Fein and a Portercable. The Fein is an amazing tool that will also sand shapes and corners. The Portercable is ok. Get the Fein. Some of the attachments can be pricy but it's in a different league and will make your life easier. They are quite a bit cheaper now. When I purchased mine (6yrs ago) I think it was close to $600 - but that may have something to do with accessories offered.

Good luck with your project.

LH

Sailormann · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008

I tried a few Black and Decker tools - two of their "Mouse" sanders, a belt sander. They are crap. I bought a Mastercraft detail sander. It is very good. It is not in the same league as Fein, etc. but my boat can't tell the difference.

Valiente · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008

Black and Decker are quite variable in quality these days. I have a 6V electric screw-driver thingie that is strictly for driving brass screws in tight places...but it's good for that. Someone threw out a 14.4 B&D drill with two batteries and a charger at the club, and it works fine...at the price I paid, it could die tomorrow, but I've taken apart the pilothouse with it so far. I have a Mastercraft 18V circular saw and 3/8" drill and they are pretty good, but I have to say my Husky box wrenches and my Makita 1/2" drill and 4 1/2" angle grinder and 6" reciprocating saw and 7 1/2" Makita circular saw do most of the heavy work aboard, even if they need AC power and are sometimes too powerful for some jobs requiring finesse. That's when I bring out the Dremel...good for dental work!

I think the lesson is that "consumer-grade" is fine for occasional or light-duty stuff...I love having a number of battery-powered tools aboard...but the contractor-grade stuff eventually pays for itself several times over thanks to durability and better inherent design.