TOP 5 vibratory grinders

The Metabo FSR 200 Intec grinder is a rather specific and “niche” tool. It is designed for delicate finishing and finishing operations, and is not suitable for rough peeling at all. Due to the small oscillation amplitude (1.4 mm), when using abrasives larger than P80, it becomes practically useless. But when working with fine-grained skins, the grinder opens up completely, since 26 thousand vibrations per minute allow you to bring wooden surfaces to a perfectly smooth state.

The working surface of the sole is small (114x102 mm). But the compact size of the machine allows you to get to the most hard-to-reach places (although for grinding in corners it is better to use a grinder Metabo FMS 200 Intec 600065500 Price from 1 831 up to 2 367 ₴ similar in design and characteristics with an iron sole). Due to its low weight, it is very convenient to work with one hand (and with either hand, because the device is equally suitable for right-handed and left-handed people) or above head level. By the way, the cable length (2.8 m) is enough to reach the ceiling.

The design of the sole allows the use of two types of consumables: branded Velcro sanding sheets and any other sandpaper of a suitable size. Sheets without Velcro are simply and quickly clamped using special fasteners. The ingenious filter container retains dust well. You can connect a vacuum cleaner instead of a dust collector, but for this you need to buy an adapter adapter, which is not included in the kit.

The cost of the Metabo FSR 200 Intec grinder is frankly low (by the standards of the Metabo tool). Plus, the device comes with a case, and you can save an extra $20 because you don't have to buy a separate tool box. The machine will not let you down if you use it for its intended purpose - for finishing small surfaces. But if you plan to sand the floors and give the tool heavy loads, you will be disappointed. For such tasks, it is better to take a device more powerful and with a larger sole. Fortunately, Metabo has vibration grinders for any task.

Sanders such as the Black&Decker KA320EKA are great for leveling the putty layer on drywall walls and partitions. Judge for yourself: it has a low weight (1.3 kg) and two rubberized handles that allow you to comfortably hold the tool when grinding vertical planes. Of course, with work in a horizontal position, this machine copes no worse. It is generally quite versatile due to the fact that it is equipped with a 6-position speed control. With it, you can adjust the frequency of sole movements in the range of 14,000 - 30,000 counts / min, depending on the type of work performed and the "aggressiveness" of the abrasive. From the amplitude of vibrations equal to 2 mm, it is clear that this tool can be used equally for fine grinding and for more rough work (for example, to remove varnish or paint from the surface of wooden furniture or a door leaf). The engine cools well during operation, so the heating is almost not felt. But it should be noted that, despite the power of 240 W, the motor speed noticeably “sags” under load, if you press the tool harder than it should. So you should always remember that Black & Decker is a household tool designed to work at home, and not at a construction site or in a professional carpentry workshop.

The design of the sole (size 90x187 mm) provides for two ways of attaching sandpaper: with clips or with Velcro. Therefore, you can use not only the "branded" Black & Decker abrasives, but also the usual sheet sandpaper of a standard size 230x280 mm, cutting it into three parts. The grinder comes with a plastic case designed for storing and carrying the tool, and a small removable dust collector. Dust collection is worth a separate stop. The fact is that this tool cannot be called "clean". During grinding, the dust is very intensively blown in different directions (especially when working in a vertical position). And it will not be possible to connect a garbage collection vacuum cleaner to the machine for two reasons: Black & Decker KA320EKA has a non-standard outlet pipe, and an adapter to it does not exist in nature. However, the low price of a vibratory grinder allows you to close your eyes to this drawback and buy goggles and a respirator for the saved money.

The Bosch GSS 23 A grinder does not have any special “bells and whistles”, but it leaves the same favorable impression as the other tool from the “blue” line of this brand. It's all about solid construction, reliable parts and high build quality.

The machine, despite the average power of 190 W, is good at work. It perfectly grinds wooden surfaces, smooths out irregularities on gypsum plaster and putty. It is best used for finishing and in preparation for painting.

The tool is carefully thought out in terms of ergonomics, so even long-term work throughout the whole shift will not seem tiring. The convenient shape of the body and good weight distribution allow you to hold the grinder with any grip. The noise level during operation does not go beyond tolerable values, and small vibrations that occur during grinding are almost completely absorbed by the rubber pads on the handles.

The grinder has a very efficient dust extraction system (most of its competitors let more dust out than it traps). The plastic dust collector and the microfilter block really trap almost all particles. True, the container fills up quickly, so it’s better to connect an external vacuum cleaner (either a “native” Bosch industrial vacuum cleaner, or ordinary household appliances). But the plastic dust collector also has a drawback: users complain that over time, its fastening loosens.

But the paper clip makes you doubt the abilities of German engineers. Because of the curved rubber bands, it does not hold the sandpaper very firmly, and sanding sheets often pop out if you press on the tool.

The Bosch GSS 23 A has a very competitive price (at least compared to other professional-grade devices). To see how profitable it is to buy this model for your workshop, compare its cost with the prices of other Bosch surface grinders. As an alternative, you can look at the model Bosch GSS 23 AE Professional 0601070721 Price from 3 571 up to 4 978 ₴. It is exactly the same, but equipped with speed control.

It is advisable to use the Makita BO3710 grinder for finishing wooden surfaces. It is suitable for sanding wood and putty surfaces or for intercoating lacquer. No less successfully, the tool will cope with the processing of strips and rails, ends and ribs. But the device is reluctant to work with coarse-grained abrasives, so rough roughing is not its profile (for such tasks, among Makita orbital grinders there are more powerful models with 300-600 W motors).

Ergonomics of the tool is excellent. The device is exceptionally quiet (this is one of the few grinders, when working with which you can safely do without protective headphones). The handles are well positioned and rubberized exactly where your hands touch them. Therefore, vibrations are practically not felt. The fastening of the emery is realized with the help of clips. You can use any skin, cutting the paper to size (228x93 mm). The kit includes a perforation plate (the holes on the sanding sheets must be made so that the dust collects in the dust collector and does not remain on the workpiece).

True, the regular filter copes with dust rather mediocrely, and the thin dust collector pipe does not allow connecting a vacuum cleaner without an adapter (which is not included in the kit). The cord also causes complaints. It is short (only 2 m), so you can’t reach the ceiling without an extension cord.

The Makita BO3710 grinder is the best option in terms of price and quality ratio. It has been in the top of sales for many years due to its reliable design, high-quality assembly and maintainability. In any region of the country, you can get spare parts, accessories and interchangeable soles for it. Therefore, those who choose a vibratory grinder for work around the house or in the workshop should take a closer look at this model.

By the way, the car has "twin sisters": Makita BO3711 Price from 3 650 up to 5 846 ₴ (differs only in the presence of one additional important function - speed control) and "red" Makita M9203 Price from 2 372 up to 3 981 ₴, which costs a little less due to design features that do not affect the quality of processing.

The compact dimensions of the DeWALT DWE6411 suggest that this machine is designed for processing small surfaces and hard-to-reach places. The small oscillation amplitude (1.6 mm) combined with their high frequency guarantees a high quality finish. The device is almost weightless (weight less than 1.3 kg) and perfectly balanced, so the hands do not get tired even in case of prolonged use. This is facilitated by an effective vibration damping system, which absorbs almost all beats. The entire handle and a significant part of the body are covered with embossed rubber pads that provide a comfortable grip.

Dust protection and dust removal system deserve special praise. They do their job very well. The start button is covered with an overlay that prevents dust from entering the contacts. The ball bearings inside the housing are sealed. The grinder has an internal impeller that effectively “sucks” dust and sawdust from the grinding area. The cloth bag traps almost all particles that get into it, and the diameter of the nozzle allows you to connect a household or industrial vacuum cleaner directly to the tool without any adapters.

Sanding sheets can be fastened both with Velcro and with clips. Both methods provide reliable fixation of the emery. Sheets can be made independently by cutting the paper into pieces measuring 140x115 mm. The machine comes with a punch template for making holes in the sandpaper.

The DeWALT tool usually does not disappoint, so this grinder can be safely recommended to every craftsman who makes high demands on quality and reliability of equipment. A stumbling block can only be a slightly overpriced price (for example, a machine Makita BO4555 Price from 3 546 up to 3 939 ₴ similar in size and characteristics costs much less).