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The DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander comes with a super easy dust collection bag and a very nice carry bag that keeps everything together. Click image to enlarge

DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander

Easy to use powerhouse for your sanding needs

Text, photos and video by Tom Hintz

Posted – 9-29-2015

Sanding is something all woodworkers have to do. Though it has always been a major part of woodworking advancements in the technology of sanding tools recently seems to be coming in baby steps. The new DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander (ROS) is moving sanding tool technology forward more than I expected.

The Basics

The DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander (DWE6423K) features variable speed and a hook and loop style, 5”-diameter sanding disk. It is powered by a 3.0 Amp motor that you can run at 8,000 - 12,000 OPM (orbits per minute) controlled by a dial built into the side of the grip area. The orbit diameter is a consistent 3/32” to help you produce a swirl-free finish more quickly. The On/Off dust resistant switch is mounted up front where it is easiest to get at. Also, the grip area has a rubber overmold that improves grip while it shelters you and from what vibrations there are.

Overall vibrations in the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander are substantially reduced by an internal counterweight. That makes this tool more comfortable to use, especially over long periods. The hook and loop abrasive mounting system makes changing the 5” sanding disks very quick and tool free.

The DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander has a very nice dust port (left) that connects to DeWalt vacs, but more importantly it easily accepts the dust bag (right) and seals and even collects dust! I've had lots of sanders that said the collected dust, this one does! Click images to enlarge

The woodworking community finally recognized the health-related need for dust control over the last decade or two and DeWalt has been deeply involved in that effort for a long time. The DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander features dust collection that has again been stepped up as the technology is refined. It has a dust bag that can be installed or removed with one hand. Naturally the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander is compatible with DeWalt vacuum systems.

In the Shop

The first thing I noticed about the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander is its size and weight. It just feels bigger than other ROS I have tried but the dimensions combined with the shape make the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander surprisingly comfortable to the hand. The weight essentially goes neutral in use because the rotation of the motor and the counterbalanced design make it feel like it is floating on the surface of the wood. You simply guide it where you need it.

The speed control is in a good place, out of the way. I also like that the speed control dial has fine and coarse detents that help it resist accidental changes while you work. The range of selectable speeds is more than sufficient for any kind of woodworking I am familiar with.

Though pretty much standard fare these days the hook and loop sanding disk mounting system remains one of the best ideas to hit powered sanders in years. Anybody that is good with a sander will be changing grits frequently in the course of a project and the hook and loop system makes those changes quick and tool free.

Dust collection on the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander is surprisingly good despite the tiny-looking “dust bag”. It actually has plenty of capacity if you remember to empty it occasionally. The quick connect mounting system for the dust bag makes emptying it simple plus the exit port lets you attach a dust collection system to further improve the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander collection ability.

All of these features could add up to meaningless window dressing if the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander did not perform. No problems here as the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander performs very well and has all the ear marks of a long-lasting tool for your shop.

The grip area (Left) is nicely shaped and very comfortable. But the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander works so well you don't need a death grip (right) to steer it. Let the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander do the work! Click images to enlarge

The shape of the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander grip area is surprisingly comfortable and the rubber overmold gives you a solid sense of grip and control. Between the rubber overmold and the smooth operation there is less vibration delivered to your hand which makes the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander less tiring to use over longer periods of time. That is good news because woodworking does not have many short-term sanding operations.

There is more than enough power for the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander to handle the big jobs but it works just as well on smaller projects. Material removal is of course dependent on the grit used but through all of the grits used during the evaluation the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander performed very well. If you restrain yourself from leaning on the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander it will do its job well. You need only guide it and let its size and design do the work.

Conclusions

The state of wood working tools these days can be pretty dismal but the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander is one of the brighter offerings on the market. Everything I can see about the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander shows that they did not cut corners that would impact performance or durability.

The DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander has a street price hovering around $80.00 (9-28-2015) which makes it look like a very good value in today’s woodworking marketplace. You can spend more or less but neither buys you a better sander than the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander. Add the reputation of DeWalt and the deal gets better yet. The warranty terms are 90 Day Money Back Guarantee, 1 Year Free Service Contract and 3 Year Limited Warranty, again above the norm in the real world today.

If you are looking to update your powered sanding equipment the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander should be on the list, probably at the top of that list. I looked around while doing this evaluation and there just isn’t much out there that competes with the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander.

Visit the DeWalt 5" Random Orbit Sander product page – Click Here

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