Bosch vs Makita Orbital Sander – Which one?

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As per one of my recent posts, I'm in the market for a new electric sander.

Out of a belt sander, random/circular orbital sander or sheet/rectangular orbital sander... I think I'll be going with the latter.

I've a Bosch jigsaw and have good experiences with it (used it for cutting laminate).

I've a set of two Makita drills, albeit, they are the measly 1.5Ah battery ones. Made the horrible mistake of getting these on offer at B&Q, only to have them not compatible with anything else! Agh! Anyway. That's by the by.

Don't want to spend an extortionate amount of money on an electrical sander.

I'm looking at the Bosch PSS 250 AE, or the Makita BO3710. Bosch is £59, Makita is £60 (though £55 at Screwfix at the moment, as think it's going to be discontinued?)

• Bosch has a plastic foot plate. Makita has an aluminium foot plate.
• Bosch comes with a carry case. Makita doesn't. Why?! Agh.
• Bosch comes with a 3 year warranty. Makita comes with a 3 year warranty.
• Bosch has a plastic dust extraction box. Makita has a typical extraction bag.
• Bosch has a multi-speed selector. Makita is a constant speed. The Makita BO3711 does have a multi-speed selector, but that's around the £75 mark.

What do we reckon? Anyone have any experience with any of the above?

Thanks!

travis-powers

I have a Bosch 1/2 sheet sander been a really good workhorse must be ten years old now, I’m bias against Makita as I’ve never had anything last but some workmates swear by them.
 Out of the two I would say Bosch is the better make.

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travis-powers said:

I have a Bosch 1/2 sheet sander been a really good workhorse must be ten years old now, I’m bias against Makita as I’ve never had anything last but some workmates swear by them.
 Out of the two I would say Bosch is the better make.

I often feel Bosch are actually very underrated in recent times.

My Dad (retired painter and decorator) absolutely swears by Bosch. Always had them.

Another point actually – size. I had planned on getting a 1/3 sheet sander (no reason, really). But, are 1/4 sheet sanders arguably more versatile?

travis-powers

laurencewhymark said:

travis-powers said:

I have a Bosch 1/2 sheet sander been a really good workhorse must be ten years old now, I’m bias against Makita as I’ve never had anything last but some workmates swear by them.
 Out of the two I would say Bosch is the better make.

I often feel Bosch are actually very underrated in recent times.

My Dad (retired painter and decorator) absolutely swears by Bosch. Always had them.

Another point actually – size. I had planned on getting a 1/3 sheet sander (no reason, really). But, are 1/4 sheet sanders arguably more versatile?

Possibly depends what you are using it for large flat work the bigger the better window frames a smaller sander has advantages, my go to sander is a 125mm random orbital mainly because it’s battery  

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travis-powers said:

laurencewhymark said:

travis-powers said:

I have a Bosch 1/2 sheet sander been a really good workhorse must be ten years old now, I’m bias against Makita as I’ve never had anything last but some workmates swear by them.
 Out of the two I would say Bosch is the better make.

I often feel Bosch are actually very underrated in recent times.

My Dad (retired painter and decorator) absolutely swears by Bosch. Always had them.

Another point actually – size. I had planned on getting a 1/3 sheet sander (no reason, really). But, are 1/4 sheet sanders arguably more versatile?

Possibly depends what you are using it for large flat work the bigger the better window frames a smaller sander has advantages, my go to sander is a 125mm random orbital mainly because it’s battery  

For now, window sills, door linings, door edges, skirting, architrave.

So maybe the 1/4 sander is the best option?

travis-powers

I think you would get on better with a smaller sander, you would have more of the base on the work.
 If you have a multi tool you can get a triangle sanding attachment which comes in really handy for detail work.

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I was thinking the exact same thing with regards to more of the base on the work surface.

With a 1/3 or 1/2 sander, you run the risk of “bridging” on uneven surfaces like my window sills!