Honest SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander Review
If you’re a DIY furniture painter or refinisher, then you probably know how important having the right tools are. One such tool is a power sander. In this SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander review, we will take a closer look at this top orbital sander and help you decide if it’s right for you.
I have the 3″x4″ SurfPrep sander, and I LOVE it, and I talk all about it here in my SurfPrep sander reviews post. But I wanted to see if the 5″ orbital sander was just as good, or maybe even better.
An orbital sander is a type of furniture sander that works in circular motion, and it’s perfect for getting a smooth and consistent finish on any material. Whether you’re sanding wood or metal, a good orbital sander helps you get a professional look with minimal effort.
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Now the SurfPrep 5 in sander comes in either a 3/16″ orbit or a 3/32″ orbit. The 3/32″ orbit is the sander that I have, and according to SurfPrep, it’s the less aggressive option, so it doesn’t cut as fast.
I bought this 5″ orbital sander after my Dewalt 5″ orbital sander gave out on me. I have had this sander for about a year now, and I think it’s a good sander. I’m still on the fence about it. Let’s take a closer look and find out if it’s right for you, though!
How to Use Orbital Sander
But first, how does an orbital sander work and how can you use it effectively? Well, you’ll need to select the right sandpaper for your project. We recommend using Diablo sanding discs or sand net discs for their quality and ability to prevent clogging.
For sanding curves and corners with orbital sander, SurfPrep has round foam pads you can use. These pads are designed to be used with the orbital sander and make sanding curves and edges much easier.
You can also connect your orbital sander to a shop vac for effective dust collection during sanding. This will save you time on clean up and also make for a cleaner work space. Here’s how to connect orbital sander to shop vac to guide you.
Once you have everything set up, you can get started! Just apply light, steady pressure and go with the grain on wood surfaces. This helps avoid scratches and gives a smooth finish.
While sanding, check your progress now and then to make sure you haven’t missed any spots or overdone certain areas. Keep a steady pace and avoid quick back and forth movements to prevent swirl marks and uneven sanding.
SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander Performance
Back to the SurfPrep orbit sander review! Recently I compared the 5″ orbital sander to my SurfPrep 3×4″ sander. I set a timer and sanded 1 side of a painted dresser with 1 sander, and stopped when the timer went off.
I repeated the same process with the other sander on the other side of the dresser. Both sanders removed about the same amount of paint. But the 3×4″ sander took the lead by a small amount. I also couldn’t get into the corners of the dresser with the 5″ orbital, but I could with the 3×4″ sander.
You can read more about the comparison and see how to use an orbital sander to remove paint in my post about the best sanders to remove paint. Or watch the comparison in my YouTube video here.
Pros of SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander
The first thing that stands out about this sander is its weight; at only 2.5 lbs, it’s one of the lightest sanders on the market. Overall, it’s also a little smaller than some other 5″ orbital sanders.
This means less fatigue for your arms when tackling large projects. Speaking of fatigue, it also doesn’t vibrate as much as other 5″ orbital sanders do. Here’s our list of best orbital sanders where you can check out our orbital sander comparison as well as learn what is the best orbital sander for furniture to use depending on your needs.
It also connects to a shop vacuum with an adapter so that dust collection is easier and more effective than ever before. Check out my SurfPrep Vacuum review here to learn all about it.
It comes with a 1-year warranty which will give you peace of mind should anything happen to it within the year.
If you need a sander with variable speed adjustments, the SurfPrep orbital sander has you covered with 4 different speeds.
And finally, it’s built well and feels sturdy in your hands; no need to worry about this machine coming apart after some hard use.
Cons of SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander
That said, there are some drawbacks to this sander. For starters, it isn’t necessarily faster when removing paint or stain from furniture surfaces than other sanders on the market.
Also, it’s a pretty expensive sander compared to some of its competitors.
And finally, because it has a round pad instead of a square or rectangular pad like the SurfPrep 3×4″ Sander has, getting into corners is more difficult.
Where to Buy SurfPrep 5 Orbital Sander
SurfPrep’s Website is the best place to buy the SurfPrep 5″ orbital sander. Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order! They offer fast shipping and great customer service.
SurfPrep 5 Orbital Sander Review
Overall, it’s a great sander, but it has some drawbacks. Like I said, I’m on the fence about it.
I wish I would have ordered the more aggressive version with the 3/16 orbit (which translates to about a 4.5mm orbit… which is 1.5mm orbit more aggressive than the 3×4 sander.) I think I would be happier with it since I’m really looking for a more aggressive sander than what I already have.
If you’re looking for a powerful orbital sander, check out my Festool Rotex 125 review here for another option.
I know that it is a better, lighter machine than the cheaper options you find in stores today. So I’m happy to have it. But if it’s going to be a stretch on your budget, I wouldn’t recommend it. I would recommend the 3×4 sander more! It’s so much more versatile and can get into corners easier.
Or even the Festool RTS 400 REQ. Here’s an in-depth Festool RTS 400 REQ sander review to learn more about this Festool sander. You can also check out our SurfPrep VS Festool sander reviews here to help you decide between the two brands.
If you want to learn more about the different types of sanders for furniture, check out my post for more information.
So is this sander right for you?? Or would you rather spend your money on something else? Let me know in the comments!
More Furniture Sanding Resources
- Best Sanders for Furniture
- How to Sand Curved Surfaces
- Foam Sanding Pads for Electric Sanders
- Best Detail Sander
- Best Festool Sander for Furniture
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