Palm Sander.

[newbee]

 What would be a good palm sander, in the $45.00 to $60.00 range. Must have a excellent dust catcher.

[javeryh]

I like the Mikita one I have.  I think I paid $50 for it new.  The dust collection is spotty though (on pretty much every one I've tried).

[sstorkel]

Dust collection improves if you connect the sander to a Shop Vac. Buy a random-orbit sander. Both the DeWalt and the Porter-Cable get good reviews. I think either the Ridgid 5" or 6" is made by Metabo and has received very good reviews. Dunno about prices; I bought a Porter-Cable 333VS 5-6 years ago and haven't looked recently.

[Neilyboy]

$43.70 best dang sander out there in your price range.



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007XXHGE/ref=pd_luc_mri?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

add to your basket to see price.

Neil

[TOK]

I also have the DeWalt Neilyboy mentioned and like it. Came free with my miter saw though, so I didn't exactly comparison shop. 

[FhM]

I have a random orbit sander but have found you cant get the the finer grades of sandpaper for them from normal sources if at all. I have considered buying a palm sander as well just so I can get the full range of grits for them.

[jhabers]

I have a Porter Cable Random Orbital Sander and a Makita Palm Sander

Porter 53.99, no tax free ship (great price)- http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-343K-5-inch-Random/dp/B000H4ND12

Makita 54.99 - http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO4552KX-Sander-Sheets-Sandpaper/dp/B0000639O5

If you had to pick 1 I would go with the ROS, They are both good for what they are designed for but 9 out of 10 times I fing myself reaching for the ROS than the palm sander

Jon

[newbee]

  Thank you all, for your help.

[jhabers]

very hot deal, free ship and $25.22
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6016-6-Sheet-Orbital-Sander/dp/B00004T171/
 

[Jdurg]

I went to Home Depot this past weekend and got the Ridgid 5" variable speed Random Orbital Sander.  I think I paid about $45.00 for it.  Has the standard hook-and-loop pad, as well as a PSA pad.  The thing works great!  It hooks up easily to my Ridgid shop-vac and there was literally no dust being flung around.  I feel confident even sanding Bondo with this thing.  Plus, I was able to get various grits of paper such as 60, 80, 120, 150, 220 for it.  My CP is as smooth as glass now.

[sstorkel]

I have a random orbit sander but have found you cant get the the finer grades of sandpaper for them from normal sources if at all. I have considered buying a palm sander as well just so I can get the full range of grits for them.

What range of grits do you need? Klingspor[/i] will sell you anything from 36-grit to 1500-grit. The finer grits are usually only available as stearated papers, however.