In the market for a good DA

[dschwandt]

Like the title says
Gotta be some body/paint guys on board here....
What's a good brand and size to buy?
Really not into harbor freight tools

 

[kphill]

The top of the line is Hutchins.. but they are more for professional bodymen.. I have a palm sander I bought forty years ago and still works great.. If you town has an autobody supply store go there and talk to them and see what they have. What state are you in?..

 

[kphill]

Go to www.jbtools.com and search for Hutchins 500 . Hutchins are made in usa... I have been doing autobody/paint since 1974..If you buy the best you will only need to buy it once..

 

[dschwandt]

I'm in Iowa, KP

 

[kphill]

Hutchins are made in California and Idaho..If you get one or any other orbital sander, get the 6 inch pad.. most common in shops and easier to find the sticky back sanding paper..

 

[RayF]

Brand: Hutchins, Sioux, IR, Chicago Pneumatic, Detroit,
Size 6"
I also prefer the type with the trigger on top the pad- rather than on a handle..

I bought this one as a "travel-bag" sander... for when I'm traveling to help a customer/friend on site. It's good quality, and comes with both style backing pads. I've been pretty pleased with it.

https://www.amazon.com/TCP-Global-A...ds=pneumatic+DA+sander&qid=1630951108&sr=8-44
As important as the sander, is the sandpaper. For a "beginner", I would recommend using hook & loop sandpaper. This type allows you to switch between different grits- without ruining the piece you just took off.
Say you use 80G to cut the shape down to where you want it.... take the paper off, and switch to 180G for removal of sand scratches and feathering of the edges... only to find out you didn't go far enough with the 80G... With H&L... you can just switch back to the 80G piece. You can't do that with self-stick sandpaper.
It also pays to use good quality paper such as 3M Gold, Mirka (it's ok), Norton (less ok)...

Keep a blow-gun nearby to blow the dust out of the paper OFTEN. It will last longer, and cut better.

 

[mkeller]

I've been buying all my sandpaper products from online industrial supply for s few years now I buy flap disks for 30.00 a roll of 10.
Fuji wet dry paper etc .
Way superior and lots cheaper .

 

[dgeary]

I have a Craftsman DA that I've used for 30 years. I don't use it everyday anymore but it's still in great shape.

 

[Neil Mullins]

I always liked the National Detroit

 

[dfrisk]

I bought a corded DeWalt about 2 years ago. I really didn't want to run my 7-1/2 hp air compressor when 3 amps will do. Variable speed 6" pad, both pressure stick adhesive and velco. I bought it to sand some rust off the steel walk-thru door on my shop, 36x80 inches. Half hour and the door was bare shiny steel ready to be primed. Sanded 2x6 railing on the deck, used it lots more than I thought. Came with it's own little zipper duffle bag. Bought off AMAZON. Went to Menards to get some 6" sanding disks and EVERYTHING Norton was on clearance sale, 50% off, I grabbed everything I could find. I've got a home-made 6" disk sander on my workbench, 1750 rpm elec motor, and I've sanded lots and lots with that too.