Recommended sander?

[Clinco]

>B&D released some cordless tools under the "Firestorm" brand - these are much better than anything B&D has before - and still worth buying. I bought a set of 18v Firestorm tools 7 years ago and they are still going strong - drill, circular saw, and recip saw. I am about the replace the batteries - but it's been 6 years, so that's not a bad lifespan for a rechargeable battery. I have another pair of Firestorm 14v drills. These are 4 years old and have been very solid drills.
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Battery powered machines may have increased convenience, but if they're comparably priced to 115v tools, they won't have much power, and if the power is high, the price is 2 - 3 times a conventional machine. Also, each company that makes battery-powered tools requires proprietary batteries -- so for economy's sake, if you pick one brand, you'll want to stay with that brand. This wisdom from the industrial tool saleswoman who dissuaded me from buying a $300 Senco battery-powered screw gun, and sold me the 115v one instead for about $105.

I haven't had any processes (yet!) that couldn't be reached with an extension cord -- 12g, natch.

I wouldn't get anything from Harbor Freight that has more than 3 or 4 moving parts (the voice of experience).

The best bargain is to find used power tools from a place that tests and fixes any that come in. Except for the Senco, all my electric hand machines are used, solid, and work great. Makita, Milwaukee, etc.

-- Paul

[SoundInMotionDJ]

Battery powered machines may have increased convenience, but if they're comparably priced to 115v tools, they won't have much power, and if the power is high, the price is 2 - 3 times a conventional machine.

<snip/>

I haven't had any processes (yet!) that couldn't be reached with an extension cord -- 12g, natch.

Most of my hand tools are alcohol powered (specifically Guinness).

Of those that like electricity, most have tails. But not the drivers, and one circular saw. The convince is worth at least 2x the cost in $$ and "power." Keep in mind that those tools spend a good hunk of their working life out of the shop.

<rant>
Not every tool needs to be a "Binford 6100 Series." Not every cord needs to be 12ga (Why not 10ga?)! Not every speaker cabinet needs to be built from 5/4 plywood decking, reinforced with angle iron on the edges, with 2x4 bracing for the baffle, and a poured concrete base to prevent vibrations!

At some point enough is enough. Yes, tailed tools have a much larger power supply than a tail-less tools. But, one 14v driver can install pilot holes while the other installs screws through a 14 hour build day! How much more do you need?
</rant>

The tools are not the thing that is holding back the quality of my work, or the speed of my production. Are you tools the #1 thing that is getting in the way of your woodworking?

--Stan Graves