Appreciation post: That $40 orbital sander from Harbor Freight has saved me HUNDREDS in refinishing costs
I picked up a Chicago Electric orbital sander on sale for $40 last spring, thinking it would probably die after one project. Nine months later, it's stripped four dressers, a dining table, and two nightstands. No joke, the thing just keeps running. Everyone told me I was an idiot for not spending $150 on a name brand. But I spent $40 and got the same results. Yes, the dust bag is basically useless and you need to wear gloves because it vibrates pretty hard. But it sands flat and doesn't bog down. I'm not saying buy the cheapest thing you can find every time. But for occasional furniture flipping, this thing paid for itself on the first job. Has anyone else had good luck with a cheap tool that everyone told you to avoid?