Alright, so I ended up buying the cheaper of the two Bosch ROS I was asking about here. The reviews overall were good, and honestly, as alluring as the $128 one was (along with a few recommendations I got on here for it), I don't feel like I could ever justify spending that much on a sander. A select few reviews said their pads were cupped, but that was possibly around 1% of the reviews. Since I had gotten a gift card for Amazon for Christmas, I decided to get it off there since it covered most of the cost of that sander.
I will admit the sander runs VERY smoothly and is comfortable to use. However, I checked the sanding pad with a straightedge and it's quite flared up at the edges to the point where you get about 1/16" of a gap across pretty much the whole center. As expected, it only sands around the edges, which can (and does, based on what I saw while trying it out) make the sanding very uneven. It was a bit awkward to get a picture of it, but I got a clear one. It looks even more pronounced in person, but you can see how significant that gap is.
I contacted Bosch about getting a replacement pad. I actually asked them about picking one up in a store since I'd rather test the pad with a straightedge myself and then get it. Just not sure if I can avoid spending $10 more that way. Still glad I got the sander as it runs VERY well, but at the same time it's kinda frustrating to get a defective pad with a brand new machine.
Near future projects:
-Curly Maple display case
-Jatoba and Quilted Maple dresser
So I'm guessing you bought the Bosch ROS20VSK. If I am wrong then please disregard all that follows....
Not to be too hard, but you get what you pay for, in this case, a 50 dollar sander. The cupping seems to be a "feature", not a "bug". Sander made in Malaysia. I've got other Bosch tools from Malaysia, they are fine, but I also have Bosch tools that are Swiss or German in origin and I prefer those.
From the Q&A on Amazon:
Question: Is 1/16" cupping in the disc normal? Answer:
I would say that a small amout of "cupping" is normal. As to 1/16 of an inch, I think that is a little much. Most of the sanding takes place on the outer edge of the disc. As it rotates the dust is sucked into the 8 holes in the center of the disc. In order to flatten out the disc, you would have to put more pressu… see more By looseknot on September 23, 2013
I thing is normal, this is my third orbital sender and all of them did this. I believe it helps with dust collection and control. By Luk on October 3, 2013
I would say yes. As you sand, the weight of the tool and your hand on it, automatically applies a little downward pressure, flattening the disk out again. The cupping helps to keep the edges of the disk in contact with the work. By Mike on September 23, 2013
12-12-2017, 11:54 AM (This post was last modified: 12-12-2017, 11:54 AM by ez-duzit.)
(12-12-2017, 08:01 AM)EvilTwin Wrote: ...I'm guessing you bought the Bosch ROS20VSK...you get what you pay for, in this case, a 50 dollar sander...made in Malaysia...
What’s wrong with using that rule as a straightedge?
Also, Bosch got back to me and I can get a replacement. I think I’m gonna talk to them over the phone about it, though. I need to be sure they’ve checked the exact pad they’re sending me for flatness.
Near future projects:
-Curly Maple display case
-Jatoba and Quilted Maple dresser
(12-12-2017, 01:20 AM)KingwoodFan1989 Wrote: Alright, so I ended up buying the cheaper of the two Bosch ROS I was asking about here. The reviews overall were good, and honestly, as alluring as the $128 one was (along with a few recommendations I got on here for it), I don't feel like I could ever justify spending that much on a sander. A select few reviews said their pads were cupped, but that was possibly around 1% of the reviews. Since I had gotten a gift card for Amazon for Christmas, I decided to get it off there since it covered most of the cost of that sander.
I will admit the sander runs VERY smoothly and is comfortable to use. However, I checked the sanding pad with a straightedge and it's quite flared up at the edges to the point where you get about 1/16" of a gap across pretty much the whole center. As expected, it only sands around the edges, which can (and does, based on what I saw while trying it out) make the sanding very uneven. It was a bit awkward to get a picture of it, but I got a clear one. It looks even more pronounced in person, but you can see how significant that gap is.
I contacted Bosch about getting a replacement pad. I actually asked them about picking one up in a store since I'd rather test the pad with a straightedge myself and then get it. Just not sure if I can avoid spending $10 more that way. Still glad I got the sander as it runs VERY well, but at the same time it's kinda frustrating to get a defective pad with a brand new machine.
I always am taken back how guys find things that aren't "perfect". I've never once checked a pad for "flatness" (or even considered it).
Id be willing to bet it would work just fine though....but what do I know.
Once Favre hangs it up though, it years of cellar dwelling for the Pack. (Geoff 12-18-07)
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