Rant: I used to think a cheap orbital sander was fine for feathering edges

For years, I'd fight with a $40 sander that would always leave swirls or dig in, especially on thin panels. After a job on a 2018 F-150 bedside in Phoenix last month, I spent $180 on a better one with variable speed and a softer pad. The difference is night and day, no more rework on the primer stage. What's your go-to tool for feathering that you won't work without?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessejohnson25d ago

Yeah, that "night and day" difference is real. I finally got a decent sander with a soft pad last year. Total game changer for not burning through edges.

fox.casey25d ago

Soft pads are great, but the real trick is the backing material.

robinson.jake18d ago

Learned that lesson the hard way myself. I used to blame my shaky hands for every gouge until I borrowed a buddy's good sander. Turns out I'm not that clumsy, my old tool was just garbage.