Category: Reviews

Is the Bosch ROS20VSC still worth buying? Yes, for most DIY and furniture work it is still the safest budget random orbital sander to recommend: a 2.5 A, 5″ sander with variable speed from 7,500 to 12,000 OPM, a pad dampening brake that fights swirl marks, a microfilter dust canister and a 3.5 lb body you can use one-handed. It is not the tool for heavy stock removal or all-day professional use, where a stronger, more expensive sander pays for itself.

Below I go through what Bosch builds into the ROS20VSC, what it does well, where it falls short, how it compares with the Makita BO5041K and a Festool, and who should buy it. Every spec comes from Bosch’s own product page.

Bosch ROS20VSC Specs at a Glance

What Is the Bosch ROS20VSC?

The ROS20VSC is Bosch’s 5″ corded palm random orbit sander, sold by Bosch as a sander and polisher. “Palm” means you hold it by the top of the body, with no separate front handle, and “random orbit” means the pad spins and moves in a small offset orbit at the same time, so the scratches never repeat in a pattern. That combination is why it can take off material faster than a quarter-sheet finishing sander and still leave a finish ready for stain. If the difference between the two types is new to you, my guide to sheet sander vs random orbital sander explains it.

It has been one of the most common recommendations for a first random orbital for years, and it is still on Bosch’s US site and sold new by Amazon. In the name, ROS stands for random orbit sander and VS for variable speed, which is the feature that separates it from Bosch’s simplest single-speed models.

Bosch ROS20VSC Review

Bosch ROS20VSC 5″ Random Orbit Sander/Polisher

The Budget Random Orbital That Keeps Its Place

Bosch lists the ROS20VSC with a 2.5 A motor, a 5″ pad, a 3/32″ (2.5 mm) orbit diameter and a speed dial from 7,500 to 12,000 OPM, at 3.5 lb. The features that set it apart in its tier are the integral pad dampening brake system, which Bosch designs to prevent swirl marks, a microcellular backing pad for fine finishes on flat and contoured surfaces, Hook-Tight hook-and-loop with more than 35,000 hooks (up to twice the standard number, Bosch says), and an on-board microfilter dust canister. It also has a separate on/off switch, so the speed dial stays where you set it.

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The kit is complete for a first sander: the soft RS034 pad, a sanding disc, the dampening ring, the canister, a vacuum hose adapter and a carrying bag. Bosch also sells extra-soft (RS033) and hard (RS035) pads that fit it, so you can tune it for curved work or for flattening.

• ✅ Variable speed from 7,500 to 12,000 OPM
• ✅ Pad dampening brake helps prevent swirl marks
• ✅ Microfilter canister and vacuum adapter included
• ✅ Separate on/off switch and speed dial
• ❌ 2.5 A is modest for heavy stock removal
• ❌ Fine 3/32″ orbit: slower at leveling than an aggressive 3/16″ sander

Best For: DIYers and hobby woodworkers who want one reliable 5″ sander for furniture, doors, trim and refinishing.

What the ROS20VSC Does Well

A Finish-Friendly Orbit and a Swirl Brake

The ROS20VSC uses a 3/32″ orbit diameter. A smaller orbit removes material more slowly than a large one, but it leaves finer scratches, which is exactly what you want in the last grits before stain or finish. Add the pad brake, which keeps the pad from spinning up uncontrolled when you lift the sander or touch it down, and you get fewer of the curly swirl marks that show up under the first coat of finish.

Variable Speed That Is Actually Useful

A dial from 7,500 to 12,000 OPM covers the jobs a home shop throws at a 5″ sander: full speed for flattening and leveling, lower speeds for veneer, edges, and sanding between coats of finish where you want control rather than cut. With the separate on/off switch you set the speed once and it stays put.

Dust Collection for Its Tier

The twist-off microfilter canister traps fine dust right on the tool, which matters when you sand indoors without a vacuum. For bigger jobs the included adapter connects a shop vac hose, and Bosch lists compatibility with its own 22 mm and 35 mm hoses. If you plan to run it on a vacuum most of the time, my shop vac for dust collection guide covers the hoses and auto-start setups.

Weight and Handling

At 3.5 lb it is light enough for vertical surfaces and one-handed use. Palm sanders of this size are what most people learn on, and the low body keeps your hand close to the work, which makes it easier to keep the pad flat. My guide on how to use an orbital sander covers technique.

Where the ROS20VSC Falls Short

• Not a stock-removal tool. With 2.5 A and a fine orbit, flattening a rough glue-up or stripping thick paint is slow. A 6″ sander with a bigger orbit, or a belt sander, does that job faster.
• No front handle. On big panels a two-handed grip helps control, and some competitors offer one.
• Brushed motor and a 1-year warranty. It is built as a mid-priced tool, and the Amazon listing states a 1-year manufacturer warranty, shorter than many premium and cordless sanders.
• Corded. If you sand away from outlets, look at the cordless options in my cordless sander guide.

Bosch ROS20VSC vs the Alternatives

Bosch ROS20VSC vs Makita BO5041K

This is the “Bosch or Makita” question. On published specs, Makita lists the BO5041K at 3 A with a wider speed range of 4,000 to 12,000 OPM, also at 3.5 lb, and in the same mid-range price tier. The extra motor and the lower bottom speed make the Makita more flexible for heavier sanding and for very gentle work, while the Bosch’s strengths are its pad dampening brake and the microfilter canister. For pure finishing on a budget, the Bosch is the better value; if you want one sander to do more, the Makita is worth the step up. Both sit side by side in my best random orbital sanders roundup.

Bosch ROS20VSC vs Festool

A Festool such as the ETS 125 REQ is a different class of tool: Festool lists it at 250 W with a 6,000 to 12,000 OPM range and a fine 2 mm stroke, a 3-year warranty when registered and a dust extraction system built around its own extractors. It is several price tiers above the Bosch. The Festool makes sense for people who sand for hours and run an extractor; for weekend projects, the Bosch gets you a comparable finish with more patience and far less money.

When to Step Up Within Bosch

Bosch’s own range goes up from here: the GET65-5N and GET75-6N are dual-mode sanders with far more power for removal work, and the cordless GEX18V-5N gives you a brushless 5″ sander with no cord. All three are covered in my random orbital roundup.

How I Reviewed It

This review is based on Bosch’s product page for the ROS20VSC (technical data, included parts, compatible pads and hoses), the current Amazon listing, checked on the day of writing, and the published specs of the Makita and Festool models I compare it with. I describe what the specs mean in use from years of sanding furniture and trim with random orbitals, but I don’t present this page as a hands-on test of this exact unit. My full method is on the how I choose page. No star ratings or prices: the sander carries a price tier, and the Amazon button shows the live price.

Conclusion

The Bosch ROS20VSC has lasted because it gets the basics right: a fine orbit and a pad brake for clean finishes, a useful speed range, light weight and dust control that works without a vacuum. It won’t flatten a rough tabletop quickly, and it isn’t built for all-day professional sanding, but as a first random orbital or the everyday sander in a home shop, it is still the one to beat in its price tier.

Comparing it with other models? My random orbital sander reviews cover Bosch, Makita, Festool and cordless picks. Questions about the ROS20VSC? Ask in the comments below.

Is a WEN oscillating spindle sander worth it? For a home shop, yes: the WEN 6510T and WEN 6524 are two of the least expensive ways to get a real benchtop spindle sander, both with a 3.5 A motor, 2,000 RPM and 58 oscillations per minute with 5/8″ of travel, and both covered by a 2-year warranty. Buy the 6510T if you only sand curves and want the 3″ sleeve and the cast iron table. Buy the 6524 if you also want a belt for straight edges and outside curves, and a table that tilts to 45°.

Below I compare the two WEN models spec by spec, explain what each one does well and where each falls short, and tell you which to buy for the work you do. Every number comes from WEN’s own instruction manuals.

WEN 6510T vs 6524 at a Glance

What Is an Oscillating Spindle Sander For?

An oscillating spindle sander is a benchtop machine with a vertical sanding drum that sticks up through the table. The drum spins and, at the same time, moves up and down. You hold the workpiece flat on the table and feed its edge against the drum. Its job is curves: the inside of a cabriole leg, a scroll-sawn bracket, a curved apron, a template for a router, anything you cut on a band saw or jigsaw and now need smooth and true.

The up-and-down motion is what makes it better than a drum in a drill press. A drum that only spins wears a single band of abrasive, gets hot and leaves horizontal scratch lines on the edge. Oscillation spreads the wear over 5/8″ of the sleeve on both WEN models, so the paper cuts cooler and lasts longer, and the scratches cross each other instead of lining up.

Spindle Only, or Belt and Spindle?

This is the real choice between the two WENs. A spindle handles inside curves. It is poor at straight edges and long, gentle outside curves, because the small round drum tends to leave dips. A belt attachment gives you a flat platen for straight edges and a large-radius curve at the belt’s end for outside curves. If you want a belt and spindle machine with more capacity than the WEN, the best oscillating belt and spindle sanders guide compares the RIDGID EB4424 and others.

WEN Oscillating Spindle Sander Reviews

WEN 6510T 3.5 Amp Oscillating Spindle Sander

The Spindle-Only Pick, With the Bigger Sleeve

WEN’s manual lists the 6510T at 120V and 3.5 A, 2,000 RPM, and 58 oscillations per minute with 5/8″ of travel. It comes with six 80-grit sleeves from 1/2″ to 3″, a matching throat plate for each, and onboard storage for all of them. The work table is cast iron, which adds mass and keeps the machine planted, and the manual gives a maximum workpiece height of 3-5/8″ and a weight of 35 lb. The listing I link is the 6510T sold together with a 12-pack of WEN’s 240-grit sleeves, so you have a finishing grit from day one.

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The 3″ sleeve is the feature to notice. Gentle inside curves, such as the arch of a chair rail or a wide cutout, sand more smoothly on a big drum, because a small drum digs in and follows every waver in the saw cut. The trade-off is the table: WEN does not list a tilt for the 6510T, so it sands square edges only.

• ✅ Six sleeves, 1/2″ to 3″
• ✅ Cast iron table, 35 lb of mass
• ✅ Onboard storage for drums and throat plates
• ❌ Fixed table: no bevel sanding
• ❌ Spindle only: no belt for straight edges

Best For: Scroll saw and band saw work, templates and curved parts with square edges.

WEN 6524 Oscillating Belt and Spindle Sander

The Two-in-One Pick, With a Beveling Table

The 6524 uses the same 3.5 A motor (WEN rates it at 1/2 HP), 2,000 RPM spindle and 58 oscillations per minute over 5/8″, and adds a 4″ x 24″ sanding belt running at up to 1,575 FPM that also oscillates. WEN’s manual lists sanding drums of 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/2″ and 2″, sleeves from 1/2″ to 2″, a table that tilts from 0 to 45° for bevels, a 1-1/2″ dust port and a weight of 27 lb. The kit includes five throat plates, the belt attachment and an 80-grit sleeve or belt for each size.

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Swapping from spindle to belt means removing the spindle parts, storing them and installing the belt attachment, and the manual covers belt tracking with a knob on the attachment. In practice that makes the 6524 a machine you set up for a session of one kind of sanding, not one you flip between every minute. The tilting table is the other big gain: beveled edges on curved parts are something the 6510T simply can’t do.

• ✅ Spindle plus a 4″ x 24″ oscillating belt
• ✅ Table tilts 0 to 45° for bevels
• ✅ Lighter and more compact than the 6510T
• ❌ Largest sleeve is 2″, not 3″
• ❌ Changing between belt and spindle takes a few minutes

Best For: A small shop that wants one benchtop machine for curves, straight edges and bevels.

WEN 6510T vs WEN 6524: How They Really Differ

Power, speed and oscillation are identical on paper. The decision comes down to four things.

Sleeve Range

The 6510T goes up to 3″, the 6524 stops at 2″. Sleeve diameter sets the tightest and the gentlest curve you can sand cleanly: the 1/2″ sleeve on both machines reaches into tight inside curves, while the 3″ sleeve on the 6510T is the one you want for long, shallow arcs.

Belt Attachment

Only the 6524 has one. If you sand straight edges on small parts, or outside curves like the round end of a shelf, the belt saves you from reaching for a handheld sander. If you already own a benchtop belt sander, the 6524’s belt matters much less; see my benchtop belt and disc sander guide if you’re weighing that route.

Table

The 6510T has a fixed cast iron table. The 6524 has a beveling table that tilts to 45°. Cast iron is heavier and damps vibration; a tilting table opens up bevels and chamfers on curved parts. Which matters more depends on whether you build furniture with beveled edges or mostly cut shapes and templates.

Weight and Footprint

At 35 lb the 6510T is heavier, mostly because of the iron table. The 6524 weighs 27 lb. Both are benchtop tools; WEN’s manuals ask you to mount the machine on a flat, stable surface, and bolting either one down makes a real difference.

What to Know Before You Buy Either WEN

• Use the right throat plate. Each sleeve has a matching plate. The smallest gap around the drum supports the workpiece best and keeps small parts from dropping into the opening.
• Keep sleeves in two or three grits. Both machines ship with 80 grit only. WEN sells 120, 150 and 240-grit sleeves and an assorted pack for the 6510T, and combination belt and sleeve sets for the 6524.
• Feed against the rotation and keep moving. Holding the part in one place on a spinning, oscillating drum still creates a flat spot.
• These are hobby-class machines. WEN’s warranty drops to 90 days for professional or commercial use. A production shop should look at the JET JBOS-5 or Delta 31-483 in my spindle sander roundup.

How I Reviewed Them

This review compares the WEN 6510T and 6524 using WEN’s own instruction manuals (specifications, included parts, table and dust port details, warranty terms) and each product’s current Amazon listing, checked on the day of writing. Where a listing and a manual disagreed, as with the 6510T’s weight, I used the manual. I haven’t run these two WEN machines in my own shop, so I don’t describe them as if I had; what I add is how those specs translate into curve work, from years of sanding curved parts on spindle and belt sanders. My full method is on the how I choose page. No star ratings or prices here: each product has a price tier, and the Amazon button shows the live price.

Conclusion

A WEN oscillating spindle sander is the cheapest sensible way to stop sanding curves by hand. The 6510T is the purer spindle sander, with the bigger sleeve and the heavier table; the 6524 trades the 3″ sleeve for a belt and a tilting table, which makes it the more versatile machine for most furniture makers. Pick by the shapes you cut, then add a few sleeves in finer grits and a vacuum on the dust port.

Want to see how the WENs stack up against heavier machines? My guide to the best oscillating spindle sanders covers the full range. Questions about either WEN? Ask in the comments below.

Is the JET 16-32 drum sander a good tool? Yes: the JWDS-1632 is the most sensible way into an open-ended drum sander for a home or small shop. It runs on an ordinary 115V, 20 A circuit, sands boards up to 32″ wide in two passes, regulates its own feed rate with SandSmart, and carries a 5-year warranty. If you regularly sand wider panels or thicker stock, the SuperMax 19-38 gives you 3″ more per pass and 1″ more thickness, in a clearly higher price tier and with a shorter warranty.

Below I go through what the JET 16-32 is, what changed in the current version, how it compares with the SuperMax 19-38 line by line, and who should buy which. Every spec on this page comes from JET’s and SuperMax’s own manuals and product sheets.

JET 16-32 vs SuperMax 19-38 at a Glance

What Is the JET 16-32 Drum Sander?

The JET 16-32 (model JWDS-1632, stock number 723520K with the open stand) is an open-ended drum sander. A 5″ aluminum drum wrapped in abrasive spins above a powered conveyor belt, and you set the gap between them with a handwheel. Boards ride through on the belt and come out flat, even in thickness and sanded across their full width. Because one end of the drum is open, a board wider than the drum can be fed through twice, flipped end for end, which is where the “32” in the name comes from.

It does a different job from a handheld sander. A random orbital levels a surface you hold it against; a drum sander calibrates thickness, takes the glue line off a panel, flattens figured wood that would tear out in a planer and sands parts too thin to plane at all. If you’re still deciding whether you need one, my drum sander vs planer guide covers that question first.

What Changed in the Current JWDS-1632

JET has sold the 16-32 for well over a decade, and the current version is a redesign of the original machine. According to JET’s product sheet, the changes that matter are:

• Tool-less parallelism. A dial on the outside of the conveyor bed sets it parallel to the drum, with a stop that returns the bed to flat. On older open-ended sanders this was a wrench job.
• A conveyor that pulls instead of pushes, which JET says reduces stress on the belt, plus belt trackers that keep it centered.
• A depth scale on the handwheel. One full turn moves the drum 1/16″, and the scale lets you zero it for each project.
• A dust hood with an internal channel shaped to the drum, which directs chips to the 4″ port.
• SandSmart, which watches the load on the drum motor and slows the conveyor before the motor bogs down, then speeds it back up.

JET 16-32 Drum Sander Review

JET JWDS-1632 16″ Drum Sander with Open Stand

The Sensible Drum Sander for Most Shops

The JWDS-1632 pairs a 1-1/2 HP, 115V drum motor drawing 14 A with a separate DC conveyor motor that runs 0 to 10 feet per minute. JET’s manual lists a 5″ x 16″ drum at 1,725 RPM, a capacity of 1/32″ to 3″ thick and boards as short as 2-3/8″, and recommends a dedicated 20 A circuit. Dust leaves through a 4″ port, and JET asks for at least 400 CFM of collection. The Amazon listing ships the head, conveyor and a complete steel stand with a 20″ x 37″ footprint, with 80-grit abrasive already on the drum.

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What makes it the default recommendation is the combination of power supply and warranty. It plugs into a standard 115V outlet on a 20 A breaker, so most garages can run it without an electrician, and JET backs it with a 5-year warranty (the listing notes that commercial or industrial use drops it to 2 years). For a machine you will keep for twenty years, that is worth more than any single spec.

• ✅ Runs on standard 115V, 20 A household power
• ✅ SandSmart feed control protects the motor and the finish
• ✅ Tool-less parallelism dial and handwheel depth scale
• ✅ 5-year warranty
• ❌ 16″ per pass: wide panels mean two passes and careful setup
• ❌ 3″ maximum thickness

Best For: Home and small shops building furniture, doors and boxes, where most parts are under 16″ wide.

JET JWDS-1632OSC Oscillating Drum Sander

The Same Size, With a Drum That Moves

JET also sells the 16-32 as an oscillating model, the JWDS-1632OSC, listed with a 1-1/2 HP, 115V single-phase motor. An oscillating drum shifts side to side as it spins, so the abrasive grains don’t trace the same line down the board on every pass. In general that means fewer visible scratch lines and longer abrasive life, which matters most on figured maple, cherry and anything you finish clear. It sits in a higher price tier than the standard 1632, so it is worth it only if scratch lines are the problem you are trying to solve.

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• ✅ Oscillation helps hide scratch lines on figured wood
• ✅ Same 115V power as the standard model
• ❌ Higher price tier than the standard JWDS-1632

Best For: Fine furniture makers who sand to finish grits on the drum sander and see lines in the final coat.

SuperMax 19-38 Review: The Bigger Rival

SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander (71938-D)

More Width, More Thickness, More Iron

The SuperMax 19-38 is the machine most people cross-shop with the JET. SuperMax’s manual lists a 1-3/4 HP continuous-duty TEFC motor on 110V, 20 A, a 5″ drum at 1,740 RPM, a capacity of 38″ in two passes and 1/32″ to 4″ thick, boards down to 2-1/4″, and an infinitely variable 0 to 10 ft/min DC conveyor. Its INTELLISAND control does the same job as JET’s SandSmart, slowing the conveyor under load. The Amazon listing is sold by Laguna Tools itself and adds a flatness guarantee on the steel conveyor bed of less than 0.010″ across its width, cast iron construction and a patented abrasive attachment system that keeps the wrap tensioned.

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The catch is in the paperwork: the manual states a 2-year warranty, against JET’s 5, and it asks for 600 CFM of dust collection, against JET’s 400. It also ships as freight (the listing asks for a phone number to schedule delivery) in three boxes with a combined shipping weight of 286 lb.

• ✅ 19″ per pass and 38″ in two: tabletops in fewer passes
• ✅ 4″ maximum thickness
• ✅ Cast iron and a guaranteed-flat conveyor bed
• ❌ 2-year warranty
• ❌ Needs a bigger dust collector (600 CFM minimum)

Best For: Shops that build tables, wide doors and slab work, and already run a real dust collector.

JET 16-32 vs SuperMax 19-38: Which Should You Buy?

On the spec sheet the SuperMax wins on capacity and the JET wins on cost of ownership. Here is how that plays out.

Capacity: 3″ Per Pass Is the Real Difference

The useful number is not 32 vs 38, it is 16 vs 19. Two-pass sanding works, but the second pass has to line up with the first, and the overlap is where you see a ridge if the drum is not perfectly set. Every inch of width you can sand in one pass is an inch you never have to blend. If your typical part is a cabinet door, a drawer front or a box side, 16″ covers it. If it is a tabletop or a wide glue-up, 19″ saves time on every job.

The extra inch of thickness (4″ vs 3″) matters for butcher blocks, thick cutting boards and slab work. For 3/4″ and 4/4 furniture stock it never comes up.

Power and Wiring

Both run on 110 to 115V and both want a 20 A circuit, so neither forces a 240V upgrade. The SuperMax has a 1/4 HP advantage and a continuous-duty rating, which helps at full width in hardwood. Either way, a drum sander should be on its own circuit, not shared with a dust collector on the same breaker.

Dust Collection

This is the hidden cost. JET asks for 400 CFM at the 4″ port; SuperMax asks for 600 CFM. A small single-stage collector may cover the JET and struggle with the SuperMax. If you need one, start with my guide to the best dust collector for a small shop, or the full dust collector reviews for bigger machines.

Warranty and Ownership

JET’s 5-year warranty against SuperMax’s 2 years is the single biggest difference in the long run. A drum sander has two motors and an electronic feed control, and a five-year window covers them through the years when a defect is most likely to show up. JET’s product sheet also points to its network of authorized service centers across the US for warranty repairs and parts.

What to Know Before You Buy Either

• Abrasive wraps are a running cost. Both machines use pre-cut strips wrapped in a spiral around the drum. Buy them in the grits you use most (80 and 120 cover most work) and keep spares.
• Snipe is a setup issue. Both machines use adjustable tension rollers to hold the board down at the ends. Support long boards on the way in and out; JET sells infeed and outfeed tables for the 1632.
• It is not a planer. A drum sander removes wood slowly. Use a planer for heavy thicknessing and the drum sander for the last fraction of an inch and the finish. See my thickness planer guide if you need both.
• Bigger JET options exist. If you like the JET but need more width, the JWDS-1836 and the Powermatic PM2244 are in my best drum sanders roundup.

How I Reviewed It

This review is based on JET’s operating manual and product sheet for the JWDS-1632, SuperMax’s owner’s manual for the 19-38, and each product’s current Amazon listing, checked on the day of writing. Where a listing and a manual disagreed, I used the manual. I haven’t put these two specific machines side by side in my shop, so I don’t describe them as if I had; I compare what the makers publish and explain what those numbers mean in use, from years of running sanders on furniture work. My full method is on the how I choose page. I don’t show star ratings or prices: each product carries a price tier, and the Amazon button shows the live price.

Conclusion

The JET 16-32 has stayed JET’s best-known woodworking machine for a reason: it does the job most home shops need, on the power most garages have, with a warranty that outlasts the learning curve. The SuperMax 19-38 is the better machine only if you need its extra width and thickness often enough to justify the higher tier and the bigger dust collector. Decide by the width of the parts you actually build.

Still comparing drum sanders more widely? My drum sander roundup covers the JET range, Powermatic and budget options. Questions about the JET 16-32 or the SuperMax? Ask in the comments below.

Is a Mirka DEROS worth it? For anyone who sands for hours at a time, usually yes: it is one of the lightest 5″ and 6″ random orbital sanders you can buy, it runs quietly and with low vibration, and it is built around dust-free sanding. For occasional DIY sanding, no: a good mid-priced random orbital does the same basic job for a fraction of the cost.

Below I go through what the DEROS is, how the new DEROS II differs from the original, how it compares with Festool, and who should spend the money. Every number on this page comes from Mirka’s or Festool’s own published specs.

Mirka DEROS at a Glance

What Is the Mirka DEROS?

The DEROS is Mirka’s electric random orbital sander. Mirka is a Finnish abrasives company, and the DEROS was designed as the power tool for its dust-free sanding system: net abrasives such as Abranet, a sander that pulls air through the whole pad, and a dust extractor on the other end of the hose. That origin explains most of its design choices.

The first thing you notice in any photo is the shape. The DEROS has no tall motor housing sticking up from the pad. The brushless motor sits low, and the body is barely bigger than your palm, so your hand is very close to the work. Mirka’s own page describes it as compact, low-profile and balanced, and says it can be used for long periods without fatigue thanks to its low noise and vibration. The design has won a Red Dot industrial design award, according to Mirka.

What Is the Mirka DEROS Used For?

Mirka lists it for general-purpose sanding of wood, drywall, solid surfaces and paint removal, and the 5 mm orbit is its middle-of-the-road setting: aggressive enough to level and strip, fine enough to finish. In practice you see it in three places:

• Woodworking and cabinet shops, where one sander runs most of the day on an extractor.
• Painting and drywall contractors, where dust-free sanding in an occupied home is the selling point.
• Automotive and marine refinishing, where Mirka’s abrasives are a standard, and the DEROS pairs with them.

Mirka DEROS Reviews

Mirka DEROS II 550X 5″

The One to Buy Today

The DEROS II 550X is the current generation: a 5″ pad with a 5.0 mm orbit, a 350 W brushless motor and a speed range of 4,000 to 10,000 rpm. Mirka rates it at 2.2 lb, 71.0 dB and 3.2 m/s² of vibration. The practical upgrades over the original are about control: the speed lever now has clearly visible LED indicators, the on/off switch is separate from the speed setting, and Bluetooth links it to the myMirka app for vibration monitoring. The Amazon listing is tool only and includes an Abranet sample pack.

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• ✅ 2.2 lb, among the lightest 5″ random orbitals
• ✅ LED speed indicators and a separate on/off switch
• ✅ Low published vibration, 3.2 m/s²
• ✅ 2 + 1 years of warranty when registered
• ❌ Premium price tier
• ❌ Needs an extractor to show what it can do

Best For: Anyone who sands for long stretches and already has, or will buy, a dust extractor.

Mirka DEROS 650CV 6″

The Original, With a 6″ Pad

The DEROS 650CV is the sander that built the DEROS name: a 6″ pad, 5 mm orbit, 350 W brushless motor, 2.36 lb, with soft start and an electronic motor brake. Mirka says its performance is comparable to a conventional 500 W electric sander, and that it keeps a constant speed under load. Its backing pad has a central air inlet to pull dust out from the middle of the pad, and the symmetrical body works in either hand, with a longer shape that allows a two-handed grip. This listing includes the case.

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• ✅ 6″ pad covers large panels and tabletops faster
• ✅ Soft start and motor brake
• ✅ Case included
• ❌ Older generation: no LED speed indicators or Bluetooth listed
• ❌ Premium price tier

Best For: Big flat surfaces, cabinet sides and drywall, where a 6″ pad saves passes.

What We Like About the DEROS

Weight and Height

At 2.2 lb for the 5″ DEROS II and 2.36 lb for the 6″ 650CV, a DEROS weighs about as much as a quarter-sheet palm sander. For vertical work, overhead work and long sessions, that matters more than any other spec. The low body also keeps your hand close to the pad, which makes it easier to keep the pad flat, and a flat pad is what prevents gouges and swirl marks.

Noise and Vibration

Mirka publishes both: 71.0 dB for both models, and 3.2 m/s² (DEROS II 550X) or 3.4 m/s² (650CV) of vibration. Few mainstream sander makers put those two numbers on the product page. Vibration is the reason your hand goes numb after an hour of sanding, and Mirka built the DEROS II’s app connection around monitoring it.

Brushless Motor

Both models use a brushless motor. Mirka’s case for it is the usual one: low maintenance, long life, and a speed that stays constant under load instead of bogging down when you lean on the tool.

Built for Dust-Free Sanding

The DEROS is designed to run connected to an extractor, pulling dust through a multi-hole pad and net abrasives. Used that way, far less dust ends up in the room and on the surface, which also means the abrasive cuts longer before it loads up. If you don’t own an extractor yet, my guide to the best dust extractors covers the machines that pair well with a sander like this.

Drawbacks to Know Before You Buy

• Price. A DEROS sits in the same premium tier as Festool, several times the price of a good mid-range random orbital.
• It wants an extractor. The DEROS works without one, but the dust-free benefit, and a good part of the value, depends on the hose.
• Corded only. The DEROS models on this page are 120 V corded tools.
• Tool-only listing. The DEROS II 550X listing is the tool without a case; the 650CV listing includes one.

DEROS II vs the Original DEROS

This is the “DEROS 2 vs 1” question. Both generations share the same concept, the same 5 mm orbit option, the same 350 W brushless motor rating and the same 71.0 dB noise figure. The DEROS II changes the controls and adds connectivity:

• Speed control you can see. The DEROS II has LED indicators next to the speed lever, plus a separate on/off switch, so you can set a speed and return to it.
• Bluetooth. The DEROS II pairs with the myMirka app for vibration monitoring.
• A lighter 5″ model. The 550X is listed at 2.2 lb, against 2.36 lb for the 6″ 650CV.

If you find the original at a clearly lower price, it is still a very capable sander. If prices are close, buy the DEROS II.

5″ or 6″, and Which Orbit?

The model number tells you both: in “550X”, the first two digits are the pad (5″) and the third is the orbit (5 mm); in “650”, a 6″ pad and 5 mm orbit. A 5″ pad is lighter and easier to control on edges and smaller parts, and 5″ discs are the most common size in hardware stores. A 6″ pad covers more area per pass, which pays off on big panels. The 5 mm orbit is the all-rounder. Mirka also makes 2.5 mm orbit versions, such as the 625X, for fine finishing between coats, but that is a second sander for most people, not a first one.

Mirka vs Festool

The DEROS’s real competitor is Festool’s brushless random orbital, the ETS EC 150/5, and for a compact 5″ sander, the ETS 125 REQ. For the whole lineup on both sides, including sheet, delta and drywall sanders and the extractors, see my Festool vs Mirka comparison; if you’re leaning Festool, my guide to Festool sanders explains which model fits which job.

On paper they are very close: same stroke, brushless motors, similar weight, both with a brake. The differences are in the systems around them. Festool sells its sanders into an ecosystem of extractors, hoses and Systainer cases, with a 3-year warranty on this model. Mirka comes from the abrasives side, and the DEROS is designed around its net abrasives and dust-free sanding. If you already own a Festool extractor, a Festool sander plugs straight in; if you already use Mirka abrasives, the DEROS is the natural fit. Neither choice is a mistake.

Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus

The Festool Alternative

The ETS EC 150/5 has a brushless EC motor with stepless speed pre-selection and constant speed under load, a 5 mm stroke, and a weight of 2.5 lb. Festool adds a sanding pad brake with a carbide tip and its Vibration Control System, and the listing states a 3-year warranty. It ships with a Multi-Jetstream 2 pad and a Systainer³ case.

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• ✅ Brushless, constant speed under load
• ✅ 3-year warranty, Systainer case
• ❌ Premium price tier, like the DEROS

Best For: Shops already running Festool extractors and cases.

Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus

A Compact 5″ Festool

The ETS 125 REQ is Festool’s compact 5″ random orbital, shaped to fit any size hand and light enough, Festool says, for extended vertical and overhead use. It has step-less variable speed, a balanced vibration-stop design and Jetstream dust extraction, and it comes in a SysGen3 Systainer. It is the lower-cost way into Festool, but still in the premium tier.

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• ✅ Compact, made for vertical and overhead work
• ✅ Variable speed, Jetstream extraction
• ❌ Brushed motor, unlike the DEROS

Best For: Finish work on cabinets and furniture in a Festool shop.

Is a Mirka Sander Worth It for You?

The honest answer depends on hours, not skill level.

• Yes, if you sand most days, or for hours at a time: professional finishing, cabinet making, drywall and paint prep. Lower weight, noise and vibration add up over a working week, and the brushless motor is built for that duty.
• Yes, if dust is the problem. Sanding in a lived-in house, or with fine drywall or paint dust, is where a DEROS on an extractor earns its price.
• No, if you sand a few weekends a year. A mid-priced random orbital does the same basic job. You’ll get more from spending the difference on a vacuum or extractor and good abrasives.

The Sensible Alternative: Bosch ROS20VSC

The Bosch ROS20VSC is a 2.5 A, 5″ random orbital with a speed dial from 7,500 to 12,000 OPM, a pad dampening system that Bosch designs to minimize swirl marks, and a twist-off micro-filter dust canister. It is heavier and louder than a DEROS and has a brushed motor, but for occasional sanding it gets you a good finish in the mid-range price tier. More options at every price are in my best random orbital sanders guide.

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How to Get the Most From a DEROS

• Connect an extractor. Match the hose to the sander’s port and use a tool-activated outlet so extraction starts with the sander. For a budget route, a shop vac with the right hose works too; see my shop vac for dust collection guide.
• Use net or multi-hole abrasives. Mirka’s DEROS is designed for them, and they let the extractor pull dust through the whole pad instead of a few holes.
• Let the tool do the work. Light pressure, pad flat, slow overlapping passes. Pressing down slows the pad’s rotation and turns random scratches into swirls, with any random orbital.
• Use the speed range. Lower speeds for veneer, edges and between coats; full speed for leveling.

How I Reviewed It

This review is built from the published specifications of Mirka and Festool (weight, orbit, speed, power, noise, vibration, warranty) and from each product’s current Amazon listing, checked on the day of writing. Where a listing contradicted the maker, I used the maker’s figure. I don’t show star ratings or prices: prices change daily, so each product carries a price tier and the Amazon button shows the live price.

Conclusion

The Mirka DEROS earned its reputation by being light, low and quiet, and the DEROS II adds the controls it was missing. It is a professional tool priced like one, and it is at its best on the end of an extractor hose. If that describes how you work, it is one of the best random orbital sanders you can buy. If not, a good mid-range sander and a better vacuum will serve you well.

Sanding drywall with it? My guide to the best sanders for walls and drywall covers the rest of the setup. Questions about the DEROS or its Festool rival? Ask in the comments below.