I am in the market for a good d/a sander. I've heard good things about Hutchins, Dynabrade. What are you guys using. Is the Ingersoll Rand 310 ($165) in the same league as the these? Also, 6" or 8", what are the pros and cons? As always, TIA,

Kevin

Hutchins and dynabrade both make great air tools. Even check out National Detroit sanders, they are probably the most used and copied brand.
http://www.nationaldetroit.com/

I have a Hutchins 4500 model, not my favorite da. I use it only for color sanding clear prior to buffing as it spins too slow for anything else. Also have a dynabrade that I use for featheredges, dont know the model number but its a great little unit. Also have one from Snap, just as good as the dynabrade unit but way more torque you really got to watch it. I think its a National Detroit sander just relabeled Snap on.

The other da I have is a National Detroit XLB, but only use it for the final step in buffing, as its short stroke is excellent for buffing out swirl marks.

A nice Hutchins unit would be #3560 cost around 170-180. For a good National Detroit da, the PGU would be my choice for everyday use. That sander will probably be my future da when I upgrade sometime this year as I like to upgrade tools every so often.

As for the 6-8" da, the 8" da is only good for shaping filler and stripping paint. I wouldnt suggest a 8" da to the home hobbiest.

A think a da from either one of those three would be a great investment

I second the National Detroit,had mine for about 10 years still works great,mines a finish sander and not sure of the number.
Different DA'S do different things.Some have an agressive cut like a Snap On (used for shapin big areas of bondo and strippen paint) , while a Huchins is a very small cut(sanding primer and clearcoats),I believe my ND is somewhere in between. My .02 Mike

Thanks Eric and Mike, I just ordered out the ND model DA for $167 (6").

Can't wait to get strippin'

Kevin