Try to keep a firm, even pressure on the sanding pad to avoid creating ridges and get the most out of each sweep of your hand. As with any power tool, practice makes perfect, but there are a few techniques I use to get the most out of my random orbital sander: the tool is not an Air Compressor/ Air Tool, a Battery/ Charger, an Accessory, or a Petrol or Production Tool The best orbital sanders come with a range of speeds that provide you with more control for your sanding jobs.

In terms of build quality, the Ryobi R18ROS-0 might not compare with sanders like the DeWalt DWE6423. This Ryobi orbital sander definitely feels like more of a plastic tool, but it’s solid and should last for ages. The rubber grips have a pleasant texture to them, and they work quite well at keeping the vibrations down.Random orbital sanders are reasonably light in weight but for cordless tools don’t forget to factor in the battery weight – larger capacity batteries weigh more. With a round pad that offers both rotating and orbital movement, random orbital sanders are ideal as an all-rounder. Their versatility allows them to effectively function like a belt Power-wise, the sanding head spins at a fixed speed of 22,000 opm. It’s a decent, fast rate but for the price, you don’t get the luxury of variable speed control. Without a battery installed, the weight is kept down to just 1.1 kg and the little dust bag doesn’t get in the way and appears to do its job. Taking advantage of Makita’s excellent Lithium-ion Extreme Technology (LXT), they’ve put the power of 18V AC into a lightweight and sturdy little frame. This cordless sander is a bit heavier compared to the cordless DeWalt DCW210N-XJ. But it’s still incredibly easy to handle thanks to the clever grip shape and balance that allows for precision control.

To make sure you've got the right orbital sander - 125mm dia pad: Some orbital sanders have a variable speed function ie. allowing for a slow start on the trigger. Additionally some have more than one speed setting. Most sanders are mains operated although there are some cordless now coming to the market. Choosing the right battery: Cordless (or battery powered) tools have various chemical battery types; Li-ion is the latest technology, prior to that it was Ni-MH and Ni-Cad was the original. The higher the Ah (Ampere hours) the longer the interval between charges; the fewer times you recharge a battery the longer it will last. Some cordless tools can also come without batteries - also referred to as naked, bare units or body only. These tools are supplied without a battery or charger and more often than not without any accessoires. As a result they are significantly cheaper in price.Most orbital sanders come with a 125mm diameter pad, but the orbit diameter can fluctuate between models . Orbital sanders can be cordless (better for safety and convenience) or corded (better for constant power). The all-important part of an orbital sander is the grip, and you can tell Bosch have thought hard about ergonomics here. This Bosch sander is nice to hold, and the rubberised overmoulding is in all the right places for grip and vibration dampening.