I bought a Mirka Deros 6" pad, 5mm orbit sander this week, and gave it a workout today.
I had pretty high expectations, and they were surpassed in the first couple of minutes of use, and after 4 1/2 hours of sanding, blown out of the water!
I have arthritis problems in my shoulder and hands, and tendonitis in my elbows, and can usually sand for 10-15min at a time, with a break between sessions. Today it was 1 1/2 hours straight, a lunch break, and then 3 hours straight, sanding 60 quarter sawn white oak panels. The sander is very light at 2lb. 5oz. After trying several hand positions, I found a couple that didn't require the use of my problem right thumb, and allowed me to pretty much just guide the sander without any loss of control. The vibration level is very low, and allows a light touch so that the sander doesn't jitterbug across the wood.
I tried sanding with my left hand with no problem, except that the dust hose and vac were on my right side.
An unexpected bonus was that I wasn't using as many sanding discs as I would normally have, with my old sander, and the sanded surface was much better.
I have one of the Festool 5" Finish sanders coming that are back ordered, so I should have my RO sanding covered
Alex
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