Hi,

I am about to buy a DA sander for working on my 66 and was wondering if other than the obvious (bigger = larger work area = less time spent) if there are any other things to consider. I don't mind spending the extra $$ for the 8" if it's going to make the job easier. Are all of the common grit papers / discs availiable in both sizes? Will I have problems in certain areas using the bigger tool?

Thanks!

George
george@spattaweb.com
TC #1921
ACES #5880

The 8" DAs I've seen aren't really DAs.
We call them Mud hogs, or Mud Busters.
They have a different action that a "normal" DA.
They're designd for mud work.
I have used them for stripping panels down, but I wouldn't recomend them for normal finish sanding. Plus they're too big anyway.
I'd recomend a Hutchins 6'', or if $$ is a factor, maybe a dynabrad (sp)

8 inch DA is not really a DA because DA stands for Dual Action.On a 6 inch DA you can lock the spinning mechanism and use it as a grinder or leave it unlocked and it will operate as an orbital sander.An 8 inch DA is usually gear driven so it is more like a grinder.Its great for roughing out mud work or stripping a panel.It does require special 8 inch paper.You dont want to use it for sanding down a car.

Hi again,

Thanks for the info. I probably would've got an 8" not knowing the difference in operation! I am in the process of inquiring about Hutchins models and prices. The other one I had my eye on was an IR 311A 6" DA sander. This piece sells for under $100. Have any of you guys used these? I have a bunch of IR air tools and have been very happy with them. This is my first attempt at doing all the body work so I need all the help I can get!

Thanks again

George
george@spattaweb.com
TC #1921
ACES #5880

...........another quick update. These Hutchins people are a real PITA to deal with. They said I had to go through one of their distributers to purchase a sander and when I called the distributer they wouldn't give me a price without an account number (which turned out to be another incredible PITA!). So at this point unless it's the absolute must have sander, I'm not going to bother with them because they aren't making it easy for me to buy their product.

Ingersoll-Rand DAs are respectable quality. If you intend to do body work professionally, the Hutchins will last you a long time, but as already mentioned, the price can take your breath away.

For home use, I got tired of paying the $100. prices and started buying the $24.95 & $29.95 versions at the cheap tool places. For my use at home, they last just as long as the IRs, CPs etc. I have a nearly new IR that I bought about four years ago. I prefer to use the El Cheapo. It feels better.

A great deal of the process is personal preference. I've seen people who don't like Hutchins. So it goes.

I have the Ingersol Rand DA.Been using it about ten years now and still runs like a champ.I paid $60 for it then. Another thing to consider is your air supply.If you have a compressor with at least a 60 gallon tank, you should be ok. The IR is an air hog compared to my Craftsman DA.The Craftsman will run all day on a small compressor, with the IR i would have to wait for the compressor to catch up. The new Craftsman looks like a good deal for a hobbyist.