Guidance on air angle sanders.

[conor1n]

Hey guys,

Google just isn't helping on this one i'm afraid.

I'll be getting ready to do some body prep for paint soon and fancy having an air powered 90 degree sander to complement the orbital. I can't seem to find out definitely what they are or what I should be getting.

What I am aiming for: I donno.. I've seen people use them in body shops and imagine they will be handy for me too. Something at 90 degrees to sand/buff. I'm not sure I need regular spinning or DA/Orbital.

What I have found so far (all 90 degree):

• Die grinder
• Sander
• DA Sander
• Polisher
• 50/75mm backing pads
• Roloc?

Should I be aiming for a DA version as it would be more forgiving and I could use it to polish/buff too. I mean in theory, I could get a 90 deg die grinder, and some backing plate attachment. I feel like that would be brutal though and a DA might suit better.

So what should I be aiming for here? Can I sand with 90 degree die grinder? What are my mounting options.

Much confusion. Sorry for being blunt, but it's late, i'm frustrated and just finished the Bushmills...

 

[Dcal]

Depends on what you want / need.
The small (2 and 3inch) are great for tight spots.
For sanding I prefer a da, the high speed (rotary only) are good for removing material / polishing.
I made an adapter to fit Roloc discs to a 3inch rotary sander and it works fine.

The bigger air sanders are very air hungry and not that great in my opinion.
I've a 6 inch DA and it takes a least a 3hp compressor to run it.
My Mirka electric sander is just 250w and is a far better sander.
I never use the 6inch air sander now.

 

[frank horton]

chucked all my air sanders out except for the long Jitter Bug....cost to much to run the compressor......
just bought Makita DA's instead...and the noise from even med size comps is just to much.........