What type of air powered sander to use when doing body work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brewski* · 03-03-2004, 11:45 AM

I bought an air compressor yesterday and there were several sanders to choose from. One is a orbital rotating (round) and one is a plam sander (square viberating type) and the other is like a palm sander but bigger in a rectangle shape. I was curious which one of these works best to remove/smooth/sand the paint on my truck.

paintpyro · 03-03-2004, 12:03 PM

I'd say go with the DA(orbital rotating).

Dean · 03-03-2004, 12:15 PM

ditto on the DA sander. I also use the air board a lot.

72LOWBOY · 03-03-2004, 12:18 PM

I agree D/A Sander, air file, 12 pack

dubie · 03-03-2004, 12:20 PM

what they said!! it's very hard to screw up with a DA sander bud

70ChevyLongbed · 03-03-2004, 12:23 PM

The DA (or Dual Action) orbital rotating is better all around especially for finishing or prepping for paint. The dual action helps keep the amount of swirl marks to a minimum, where a high speed sander will remove material faster (and maybe even better) but will require additional sanding to smooth out the scratches. In my experience the grit of sand paper used and your sanding method (stroke, pressure, angle) makes a big difference, but the DA is more forgiving.

I got a DA for my first sander as I knew it would be more versatile.

Jason

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-03-2004, 01:44 PM

A couple things about a DA sander is that it does not produce that much heat and you can control the speeds at which you remove material. Look for one with the biggest pad. I believe the biggest you can get is an 8 inch. Be prepared to pay some money, so stay away from the cheap brands. Also make sure that you have a compressior that will produce enough air to run a DA sander. Most DA's use ALOT of air.

Dean · 03-03-2004, 02:13 PM

You do have to be careful using a DA sander or your the side of your truck will look like something you could surf on with all the waves...... Try to keep it the sander flat on the flat body areas. Try to keep from using the edge of the sander as much as possible.

cdowns · 03-03-2004, 04:20 PM

BEFORE BUYING A SANDER !!!!!!!
find out how much air your compressor is capeable of providing, some sanders require ALOT and many home handyman compressors won't run them , MATCH THE SANDER TO YOUR AIR SUPPLY

71402BB · 03-03-2004, 05:32 PM

ok this is just an opion. the DA is great for doing alot of different sanding jobs, like sand down a whole truck for a paint, ect. but if your doing "mudd" work like filling in small dents or putting a patch in and you want your "mudd' work to come out stright and not looking like the ocean then you want that long flat board sander! oh and I also agree with Cdowns!

tom hand · 03-03-2004, 08:09 PM

Well somebody has to disagree...lol. Unless you have a really big compressor, I wouldn't even buy a DA. They really work a compressor...you will find yourself waiting for the compressor to catch up more than you are sanding. They are only really good for prep work BEFORE you start any body work...and a angle grinder with a sanding pad works much better for that. I would never touch a DA to any body filler. An air file is the best sander for body filler...if it won't work you will be much better off sanding it by hand....my 2 cents

Brewski* · 03-03-2004, 11:41 PM

Got 5.5 HP Campbell Hausfield 150 lbs. of pressure, 22 gal tank.
I have a small electric palm sander from Porter Cable> I can use it for the flat stuff. I may try the orbital to start with. I can always use both if I need them later. Thanks for the input~!

krazy_texan · 03-03-2004, 11:50 PM

i use a 5 gallon paint stir stick wrapped in the paper of my choosing

*Shane* · 03-04-2004, 02:41 AM

inline sander is best choice for Bondo/filler work ...

*Cruiser71* · 03-04-2004, 03:27 AM

I use my 5hp 30 gallon tank Craftsman compresser. Its 16 years old but still works like a champ, unlike the "oil less" compressers at Wallmart and Costco today.

03-03-2004, 11:45 AM	#1
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	What type of air powered sander to use when doing body work? I bought an air compressor yesterday and there were several sanders to choose from. One is a orbital rotating (round) and one is a plam sander (square viberating type) and the other is like a palm sander but bigger in a rectangle shape. I was curious which one of these works best to remove/smooth/sand the paint on my truck.

03-03-2004, 12:03 PM	#2
paintpyro Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA,USA Posts: 1,579	I'd say go with the DA(orbital rotating). __________________ 70 shortbed stepside "Schleprock" 350 w/TH400 rallys and BFGs -We can rebuild it, we have the technology-lower,shinier,faster

03-03-2004, 12:18 PM	#4
72LOWBOY Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Coral Springs,FL Posts: 100	I agree D/A Sander, air file, 12 pack __________________ 72 Chevy LWB leaf spring rear,SBC 385 Fast Burn,Art Carr built 700r4,3.73 Eaton posi,one piece windows,lowered 4/5.5, 60/40 seat, shaved turn signals,shaved reverse lights,shaved stake pockets, stainless steel 21gall in rear, c-notched, vintage air,ps,pb,currently doing body work. 68 Camaro conv.327,turbo 350,pb,disc brakes,built it for the wife 38 Chevy Coupe on the back burner LIFE IS GOOD! SMILE

03-03-2004, 12:20 PM	#5
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	what they said!! it's very hard to screw up with a DA sander bud __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

03-03-2004, 12:23 PM	#6
70ChevyLongbed Howzit?!? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 1,266	The DA (or Dual Action) orbital rotating is better all around especially for finishing or prepping for paint. The dual action helps keep the amount of swirl marks to a minimum, where a high speed sander will remove material faster (and maybe even better) but will require additional sanding to smooth out the scratches. In my experience the grit of sand paper used and your sanding method (stroke, pressure, angle) makes a big difference, but the DA is more forgiving. I got a DA for my first sander as I knew it would be more versatile. Jason __________________ Jason Hawaiian-J 70 Longbed, 307, Edelbrock Carb 1404, Edelbrock Intake 2101, Dual Roller Timing chain and gears, 214/214 cam, Comp Roller Rockers, dual Flowmasters. 1999 Chevy Tahoe 2004 Mini Cooper S 71 BMW 2002 - Sold Last edited by 70ChevyLongbed; 03-03-2004 at 12:30 PM.

03-03-2004, 12:15 PM	#3
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	ditto on the DA sander. I also use the air board a lot.

03-03-2004, 01:44 PM	#7
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	A couple things about a DA sander is that it does not produce that much heat and you can control the speeds at which you remove material. Look for one with the biggest pad. I believe the biggest you can get is an 8 inch. Be prepared to pay some money, so stay away from the cheap brands. Also make sure that you have a compressior that will produce enough air to run a DA sander. Most DA's use ALOT of air.

03-03-2004, 02:13 PM	#8
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	You do have to be careful using a DA sander or your the side of your truck will look like something you could surf on with all the waves...... Try to keep it the sander flat on the flat body areas. Try to keep from using the edge of the sander as much as possible.

03-03-2004, 04:20 PM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	BEFORE BUYING A SANDER !!!!!!! find out how much air your compressor is capeable of providing, some sanders require ALOT and many home handyman compressors won't run them , MATCH THE SANDER TO YOUR AIR SUPPLY __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-03-2004, 05:32 PM	#10
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	ok this is just an opion. the DA is great for doing alot of different sanding jobs, like sand down a whole truck for a paint, ect. but if your doing "mudd" work like filling in small dents or putting a patch in and you want your "mudd' work to come out stright and not looking like the ocean then you want that long flat board sander! oh and I also agree with Cdowns! __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

03-03-2004, 08:09 PM	#11
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Well somebody has to disagree...lol. Unless you have a really big compressor, I wouldn't even buy a DA. They really work a compressor...you will find yourself waiting for the compressor to catch up more than you are sanding. They are only really good for prep work BEFORE you start any body work...and a angle grinder with a sanding pad works much better for that. I would never touch a DA to any body filler. An air file is the best sander for body filler...if it won't work you will be much better off sanding it by hand....my 2 cents __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

03-03-2004, 11:41 PM	#12
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Got 5.5 HP Campbell Hausfield 150 lbs. of pressure, 22 gal tank. I have a small electric palm sander from Porter Cable> I can use it for the flat stuff. I may try the orbital to start with. I can always use both if I need them later. Thanks for the input~!

03-03-2004, 11:50 PM	#13
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	i use a 5 gallon paint stir stick wrapped in the paper of my choosing __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

03-04-2004, 02:41 AM	#14
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	inline sander is best choice for Bondo/filler work ...

03-04-2004, 03:27 AM	#15
Cruiser71 AKA Phillip Johnson, AKA BANNED Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 193	I use my 5hp 30 gallon tank Craftsman compresser. Its 16 years old but still works like a champ, unlike the "oil less" compressers at Wallmart and Costco today. Last edited by Cruiser71; 03-04-2004 at 03:32 AM.



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