DEWALT Rotary Sander, Variable Speed, Dust Shroud, 5-Inch (DWE6401DS)

What a beast of a sander this thing is like a grinder for metal but it’s for wood !! I’m using it to strip paint from T1 11 and it’s so much better than a palm sander. Go ahead and get it you want be disappointed

Wish I would have pulled the trigger on this purchase years ago. I finally got fed up with belt sanders. Tired of having to watch if the belt is drifting. Tired of replacing perfectly good belts, other than the glue strip/tape came loose. Tired in general, because a belt sander is tiring. I knew that I would be removing a lot of surface wood, and was trying to think outside the box (grinders/mods, polishers, multitools...). After looking at the options, just couldn't pass up this versatile inexpensive tool from a reliable manufacturer. A cordless version wasn't available when I made my purchase, which is good. Something like this when sanding with coarse grit will use a bit of power. With 40 grit, it is way easier to control than a belt sander. Haven't used fine grit yet, but with the adjustable speed dial (If you're wondering, the speed dial is round and built into the trigger - very convenient), the speed can go much lower and much faster than I'll ever need. If you need to go slower than this, then you might as well use a hand pad. If you need to go faster, then you might want to use a grinder. This tool fell into a sweet spot between price and functionality. Hindsight being 20-20, I feel very satisfied with this purchase. Also, looks like it would be easy to convert to 7" discs, if the need arises. The 5" discs cost about $1/each, which is much less expensive than crappy belts. The range of capability appears huge within this $80 tool. No more belt sanding for me, plus I'll be able to do a lot of fine work with it too. Prior to this purchase, I dreaded sanding. Now, I'm almost looking forward it. Even better, I'm not avoiding sanding. If you're reading this review - go buy it - you'll like it. I'm not affiliated with Dewalt. I've just been so impressed with some the Dewalt tool time saving ergonomics, that I use Dewalt as my standard. For cordless, I pretty much only use Dewalt (So that I don't have to buy more batteries). My first Dewalt tool was a marked down returned portable table saw, quite a few years ago; best tool purchase ever, by far. This Dewalt sander has potential to become my second favorite tool purchase, and for a lot less money.

Within 3 seconds of using it I loved it and wish I had purchased one years ago! Worked great for sanding-off varnish and stain form teak furniture quickly in seconds rather than minutes with a less powerful orbital sander. Other reviews stated it was too powerful and the vacuum hose for dust collection did not fit - was not my experience. My small diameter (1 & 1/16” inside diameter) hose fit with 2 wraps of electrical tape on the male connection to make a tight seal. The flexible dust collector shroud allows the sanding disc to get close to inside corners of work pieces. This is a heavy-duty orbital sander similar to the bulk removal ability of a belt sander. It is not for fine sanding above 100 grit and not for someone who plans to own only one all-purpose sander. 5” discs fit great (5” discs are always a little wider than any orbital sander’s pad) and lined-up with the 4 vacuum holes. It’s likely intended for professionals and serious amateur wood workers who need a more aggressive sander to add to their collection of specialty hand-held sanders.

Excellent power, significant time saving

Works great

Oh ok... I get it now. I bought this in addition to my belt sander, Makita random orbital sander, and my palm sander. This is a great addition and now does about 60% of all my sanding duties in my shop. When you first use it, don't panic. this thing is a little different. my initial reaction to this was... "WTH, this is just a drill with a spinning pad at the end." So I was trying to go slow speed with it using the trigger. The tool got hot quick. So this is not the way this tool is intended to be used. So I got a good grip and went full speed on the trigger and set it down on my end grain cutting board that I was making. Wow, once the tool gets in it's rhythm it really sings. It does have a slight orbital notion to it. This tool is designed to go at full speed all the time. What the tool does is not dependent on trigger adjustment (speed). It is completely dependent on the grit. If you have this tool you should buy a big pack of 80, 120, & 220 paper (this is 8 hole). The 80 will skin a grizzly bear! quick to even out your work piece. 120 will smooth things out. and 220 puts on a high polish. 220 got my end grain cutting board just like glass in about 30 seconds. It was incredible. Does the same thing as my random orbital sander (which takes the same paper),.. but it does it much more quickly and efficiently. I will still use my Makita random orbital sander for more detailed and slow areas. It is a great tool. but missing a star for not including a dust bag.

This DEWALT sander is a real workhorse. It's got plenty of power to tackle tough jobs, and the variable speed control is a lifesaver. I especially appreciate the dust shroud – it keeps things much cleaner than other sanders I've used. The 5-inch pad size is perfect for most projects. Overall, a solid tool that's built to last.

As someone who enjoys crafting wooden flags, finding the right tools can make all the difference between a project being a chore or a joy. Enter the DEWALT Rotary Sander (DWE6401DS). This tool has been an absolute game-changer for my work. The variable speed settings are a standout feature, allowing me to adjust the sander's intensity based on the task at hand. Whether it's heavy-duty sanding or fine finishing touches, this sander has me covered. The dust shroud is another boon, significantly reducing cleanup time and keeping my workspace clean, which is essential for anyone who values their workshop's tidiness. Its ergonomic design deserves praise too. It's incredibly user-friendly and makes sanding less of a strain on the hands, allowing for longer work sessions without discomfort. The 5-inch size is perfect for the intricate work of flag making, providing enough surface area for efficient sanding while still allowing for precision.

This machine is much, much better than a random orbital sander at removing old paint and varnish. It is almost as good as a belt sander. I was able to use it instead of a (Makita) belt sander for most of the work I was doing. It can be attached to a De Walt ShopVac-like dust extractor so it generated very little dust. It is powerful. You need to hold it with two hands otherwise it will start precessing (wobbling). I believe it is basically a good drill with a good sandpaper disc platen added so you can keep the sandpaper flush with the object being sanded. If you lean on it, it will remove more material but it can overheat. You really do need to hold it firmly with two hands.

Antes de comprarla tenía mis dudas de cómo fuincona y para qué trabajos se tenía que utilizar, pero por desafortuna, solamente encontré 2 videos sobre la maquina y no resolvieron mis dudas, así que dejaré mi experiencia. Es una muy buena herramienta, pero para lo que está hecha, yo la he usado solo para madera, pero para lijar como tal no, funciona para desbastar de forma muy fuerte la madera, tipo cortezas, dar cantos a maderas fuertes, pero para lijar no, quita mucha madera y los lijadoros no son parejos, tampoco puedes usar para lijar toda la lija, solamente los extremos de la lija, justo por la potencia. Entonces, si, es una excelente herramienta para los trabajos para los que está hecha la herramienta, en resumen, es como un taladro adecuado para ponerle una lija, pero con mas control que un taladro, pero básicamente es eso.

Muy buena lijadora, la compre para pulir la madera exterior de la casa y la dejo co.o nueva. Removiendo todo lo quemado

This tool worked great to quickly remove old finishes on wooden decks and a shed to be restored. It is less aggressive than an angle grinder with a sanding disc and get better control and finish. Some reviewers complain about the vacuum attachment not working well etc but I am well aware of the limitations that attachment would provide realistically. I use this tool outside and don’t require it. This tool works.

Es una excelente opcion para tener en tus herramientas, la utilizo para limpiar la pintura y barniz que tiene la madera, ya que no me gusta usar removedor. Con esta herramienta quito muy rapido dicho material. Como consejo ten listas varias lijas ya que tienden a taparse rapido. Muy recomendable su compra