I'm limited in room in my garage. Don't have space for a compressor. Can anyone recommend a good electric DA?
There is none. Random orbital seems like it can almost be the same but it aint the same. A real DA will do what an orbital will do in 1/10th the time. I barked up this tree once.
I've got a little Ryobi that I have had for years that has really worked good for me. I actually got it as a reconditioned tool off one of those tool truck sales things that show up in town every once in a while.
The new 3M system for paint uses an electric DA, but it is sort of pricey. Around 300 if I remember correctly.
wow. i've been recently wondering about this, too. i'm working out of a tiny, 1960's era 1 car garage. if i had a compressor in it, i wouldn't be able to move around at all.
Ryobi makes great electric tools, I have a couple, but get a vertical compressor you will find a lot of uses for it.
A five inch Ryobi is 40 bucks at Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-RS290/100599175#.UUiKEjfSyZY Save the extra 260 towards a compressor rather than buying a high zoot one. Mine is pre dust bag but I used the crap out of it on my sailboat and on my truck for it's annual reprimer job.
If you decide to go with a compressor, stay away from the oil-less ones. 'Loud' takes on a whole new meaning with those things.
If you can swing it, in my opinion the smallest acceptable compressor for Auto use is the small Craftsman Professional. They're 500$ but have the balls to run die grinders and sanders (with small breaks to let it catch up). http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0916474000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16
I bought a sears Craftsman electric. Bought another new one when the pad came apart after about a milloin hours use.....then I used black RTV to reglue the pad back together on the first one and I still use it. Around 40 bux.
There is no such thing as a good small compressor. Get the largest one (CFM rating @ 90 psi, not tank size) that you can afford and fit in your space. You will thank yourself later.
I've got two porter cable electric da's that are at least 15 years old and are better in my opinion than air
Ya gotta get a big one to run air tools...lots of cfm and a big tank. And a good system for removing moisture too. The air lines have to be long enough to cool the air substantially before it gets to the dryer, or it won't remove enough water. I've used a big coil of copper line in the past...leave it coiled like a big spring, hanging from the ceiling. It's compact but has enough area to cool well...then onto the dryer. Sometimes, a good option is to build a small addition onto the garage...just big enough to house the compressor, and an access door or a removable top for access from outside. Quieter in the garage too. Sometimes you can find great deals on old compressors...big old ones that were built to last forever.
I've got the porter cable DA and I love it, use it way more than the air. Don't have to worry about water or oil shooting out of the fittings. There's not much difference in useage that I could tell. TP
Wait so what you guys are calling an electric DA, are these just orbitals? Or can you lock them into a spin like an air DA?
I have the dewalt mentioned earlier. Don't notice a lot of difference between it and an air DA sander, and not terribly expensive (for a Dewalt, anyway).
This DA is killer. It's very powerful and is nice for the garage.....doesn't kill the compressor. Check out www.3mcollision.com for more information
have used a cheap electric over the past couple years...found the secret to get it to cut cut good was running it through a reostat to control the speed
i'm dealing w same issue sorta. i have a air compressor 25 gal is no balls for a sander so i'm gonna get a electric going later on today. if i find something good i'll let you know. ive heard alot of people say porter cable but i'll see when i get there
I did my roadster with a B&D 5 inch 8 hole random orbit sander. Hooked up my shop vac to the dust bag port and it eliminates the clean up. 40 bucks and I'll never use a DA again.
I bought a new Porter Cable electric da and I love it. It's more bulky and heavier than an air da but does a fine job.
I just came from Lowe's the electric seems little to bulky I don't want to be a thread jacker but found a husky air da uses 2.2 cfm @ 90 psi anyone think that will work with my 25 gal craftsman professional compressor?