Vacuum Sanders

s/v Groovy · Post by **s/v Groovy** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:39 pm

The boat yards here now require vacuum sanders. I am looking for a recommendation. The one I keep seeing is the Fein (MSF-636-1), coupled with their 'Turbo' auto start vac. Looks like a great tool, but the price is staggering. Are there other good solutions?

I could also rent one (fein), for $45 per day (9-5)+ $20 if kept overnight.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:48 pm

Most manufacturers have some sort of dust collection attachment for their basic DA sanders that will mate to an ordinary shop-vac.

I've had the Porter-Cable and the Bosch. The Bosch does a better job of dust collection, and the hose attachment is integral to the body of the tool. On the other hand, the PC attachment is removable (not that I've ever bothered) for tight-quarters work.

Post by **Tim** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:35 pm

Do you plan on a long life of future use for this tool? If so, spend the money on the Fein. They are worth it by all accounts.

One advantage to working on my own turf and terms is that I don't need to bother with vac attachments while sanding. I make a mess, and then I clean up the mess. I think vac attachments are a bother for many types of work; they work fine for bench work and that sort of thing, but can be a real nuisance under and within the tight confines of a curvy sailboat.

But in a boatyard, you need one, and it makes sense to buy a sander that has the best means of vacuuming up the sanding dust and debris. I think a built-in setup may be better for this, but since I trashed the annoying add-on Porter Cable vac attachment years ago, I could very well be uninformed on this subject. So I'll stop.

catamount · Post by **catamount** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:34 pm

I use a Bosch 3107 Random Orbit sander coupled to a Fein 9-55-13 turbo vac with the auto start feature. I used some duct tape to hold the vac's mutli-adapter piece into the dust port on the sander, and then just plug the hose into that. It works pretty well.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:10 pm

We require vacuum sanding at the boatyard also. We use all Fein equipment and are quite pleased with it. Even though the "kids" we have doing bottoms are way less than careful with yard equipment the stuff lasts a long time. If you can justify the expense I would definitely recommend Fein.

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:29 pm

I have a bosch random orbital sander (5") and I think a "Shop-Vac" brand shop vac (I can't remember, but it's yellow and black). I got the Bosch vacuum attachment and it works great. With full suction (clean filter and bag) the sander will stay stuck to the hull at a 90% angle. It's pretty impressive, and works well - very little dust around the boat unless the sander isn't being held flat on the sanding surface.

I don't mind the non-auto start on my Vac because I wear ear protection anyway and just keep the Vac running most of the time. The hose is long (10-15ft?) so I don't need to move the vac around much.

I have used this combo for 5 years and it's still going strong so I can't complain. I have replaced the "orbit" bearing in the sander once, but other than that it's happy.