Mirka Ceros sander keeps breaking. What else is out there?

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

So I have a question…

I’ve been using the Mirka Ceros sander for about six months now. About 4 months ago it broke down. It would overheat, stop, and then every now and then slow down and speed up all on its own. We got it fixed, and it started doing the same thing again.

Are there any other sanders I can use that are similar in quality? I’ve herd as many complaints about this sander ad I have herd good reviews.

If at all possible I’d like to stick to electric sanders. I enjoy being able to take it where ever I go and not have to rely on an air hose.

#2

Personally I´ve used the Festool ones. I really like them, the dust suction is super, Here is a link,http://www.festoolusa.com/products/orbital-sanders/ets-1505-eq-random-orbital-sander-571794.html

Or the one with the gearbox in the head, more powerful.

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/rotex-sanders/ro-150-feq-rotex-sander-571810.html

#3

I have sold a bunch of these sanders, and without any problem. They really should replace your unit completely.

Are you sanding carbon fiber products?

#4

When this has happened to us in the past the cause was carbon dust in the machine. It would get into the switch and around the bushes causing shorts.

My favourite time was when the band saw started on it’s own while I was changing the blade. That was also when I learnt to turn it off at the wall when changing blades

#5

Hi my Mirka Ceros sander and vacuum combo gets used almost daily over last year during which time its seen plenty of heavy duty work and I reckon it must have paid for itself easily in that time. In fact I have just ordered a second Mirka Ceros sander vacuum combo for my shop which is due to be delivered this week. Aways interested to hear of good products if yiou find an alternative. Good hunting and let us know what you end up with.

#6

Nothing like the mirka ceros, but a festool rotex has more power.
but, it is heavier and less controllable too. I use the mirka a lot. And I like it, a lot :slight_smile:

#7

About 25 years ago i bought an electric Sealey ER 150 random orbital sander, Its well balanced & will run all day long. Been used for sanding timber & sanding & fairing boats. Brilliant tool.
its still going and this year had a new switch & bearing set in the pad swivel. I figured it had earnt it!

#8

Anyone ever use this festool sander?

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders/ROTEX-ro-90-dx-multi-mode-sander-571823

Or is the Mirka the best bet?

#9

Only 90mm diameter. Quite small, but that could also be an advantage.

Availability of paper could be an issue.

#10

The Mirka sander failures turned out to be due to carbon fiber inside the motor. (Also killed my Dremel, too.)

I blow out the motor with an air gun before, during, and after use and haven’t had trouble with it since. In fact, I ended up getting a second sander to keep around just in case we need a spare. :slight_smile:

#11

Electrics and carbon. Always exciting…

#12

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. Do you have a link to the model you use? The one’s I checked out are either 200 or 500 for the mirka sander.

Like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Compact-Electronic-Random-Orbital-Sander/dp/B007VTTNP6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355894656&sr=8-1&keywords=mirka+sander

or this one
http://www.amazon.com/Mirka-Pneumatic-Random-Orbital-Finishing/dp/B004BGCG6A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355894672&sr=8-2&keywords=mirka+sander

#13

Without clicking the links, I already see that one is pneumatic, and one is electric.

The pneumatic ones need a big ass compressor.

#14

The best solution would be to have and extraction arm which sucks the carbon dust away.I destroyed one dremel before using the extraction system.
As far as blowing air inside the motor I do it also, but you have to be really gently because you want to take out the dust and not push it deep into the motor.
Another solution I want to try is to place a piece of cooking filter on the air/cooling slot - theoretically air will still enter but without the dust :wink:

#15

Yeah I figured. I googled it after a I posted it…

I guess I’m stuck doing things the messy way for now until I can pick up one of these sanders…

The festool looks promising though for small parts since it changes into another sanding head as well