The 'Sandstorm' Aptly Named ... Unfortunately
Written: Feb 26 '02 (Updated Nov 18 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Small and easy to use; 3 different functions is nice
Cons: sandpaper pad comes off easily, dust collection bag horrible
The Bottom Line: Although it is handy to have around for small jobs, the "3-in-1" aspect of this sander leave something to be desired.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Black & Decker Sandstorm 3-in-1 Sander RO600K |
When I purchased my house last year, there were many things to do and not many tools to do them with. I had the rudimentary tools lying around -- hammer, screwdrivers, duct tape and butter knife -- but none of the real time savers that every household needs.
So, off to Home Depot, my new second home.
I worked my way through the aisles like a kid at Christmas walking through the toy store, finally reaching the motherload - the power tool corral. I quickly went in and found out I knew nothing about good tools. And that I didn't have a lot of money to learn.
After talking with the salesperson, I decided to forgo high-end tools for the reliable and much cheaper Black and Decker line, picking up a Cordless Drill and this sander. I figured that I would need it for the numerous projects I would be doing in the new place (final tally after a year: 3), so I got the 3-in-1.
Basics
The Sandstorm has a relatively small motor (1.4 Amps) which spins at about 10,000 orbits a minute, although it is obviously designed for mostly small jobs. Don't expect this to take the rust off of your car. The 3-in-1 aspect of the sander are: random orbital sander, finishing sander and detail sander.
It has a nice feature in the retractable handle, which allows you to lock it in an extended position to give you a good two-hand grip, or leave laying to the side for more narrow areas. However, using the two-handed grip tends to make one press harder on the sander - which it doesn't seem to like (more on that later).
Experience
My first project - a CD cabinet with oak boards - needed mostly touch-up and smoothing to get it to its finished perfection; the sander did an accurate job at it. The second job was a bookshelf, which it also handled quite well. The finishing 'part' of this sander handled admirably. The sandpaper is easily attached via a velcro-like surface on the pad of the sander, which comes off to turn it into the orbiting sander.
The orbiting sander has been a bit of a mixed experience. I've used it for doors and walls, and it was GREAT for sanding down spackle on walls you are going to paint; however, it left something to be desired on the doors.
I haven't used the detail portion of the sander, but it seems that it might be too big a tool for some of the fine work that you would get out of a Dremel or even the Black & Decker Mouse sanders.
Issues
The power of the sander is less than some others I have used, and I shows when you are trying to push on a larger project. Also, in orbital mode, I have had numerous problems with the nut holding the pad coming loose, regardless of how hard I tighten it.
My biggest complaint about the sander, however, is the dust-bag. It is next to useless. From the beginning, more dust/spackle/wood seemed to leak out of it than ended up in it. Projects using this sander leave behind quite a mess, despite the "built-in dust collection for a cleaner work area". I noticed little difference from using a sander without the same bag.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it's a decent sander for small jobs, but you might want to take the next step up and get something a bit more powerful for anything beyond spackle and some light woods. It did the job on the light jobs very well (except for the dust), and is a handy thing to have for those quick projects.
[r e l a t e d BLACK & DECKER TOOL r e v i e w s]
Black & Decker Planer - She was flat as a board – just like I wanted ‘er
Fire Storm Drill - Fire Storm? Fire Drizzle, Perhaps.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 482
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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