If you’re looking at power sanders, you probably know how tough it is to do a big job by hand. Pat yourself on the back, you’re looking at the right tool. Random orbital sanders are a great buy that will save you money. They can replace both belt and orbital finishing sanders so you only need one tool. Let’s take a look at these two kits from Bosch and see which one will be the best for you.
Bosch ROS20VSC 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander with Carrying Bag
First off, the difference between these two kits is only one thing—the carrying bag, or case. This one, the ROS20VSC has a soft-sided nylon case with a zipper closure and a rigid bottom. The other kit has a hard plastic case that latches shut. That’s it, the only thing that sets them apart. So let’s look at the most important piece of the kit: the sander.
The ROS20VS was favorably reviewed by Popular Mechanics. They liked the automotive-style pre-filter in the dust bin. They also warned that the lid to the bin is hard to close, and if it’s not shut tightly, the dust goes all over. That was their only complaint, that the user has to be careful when shutting the dust collection container.
Bosch describes the sander’s air filter as being able to catch particles as small as 0.5 microns, so that’s great news for allergy sufferers. The sander also comes with a vacuum adapter that fits 1-1/4 and 1-1/2-inch hoses so it can work with a shopvac.
But there’s so much more to the ROS20VS than its ability to catch dust. Look at the nice long palm grip with a soft, non-slip coating. There’s no need to use two hands on a random-orbit sander, but you could do it on this one. It weighs 3.5 pounds and doesn’t need anything more than just gentle pressure to guide it on the work-piece.The vibration is minimal so this sander doesn’t tire out the user’s hands, and it isn’t hard to control. When the user lifts up the sander, the built-in braking system and dampening ring slow the oscillation. This minimizes the likelihood of creating scuffs and swirls.
The motor runs off 2.5Amps and oscillates between 7,500 to 12,000opm. The speed dial is located at the rear of the sander near where the cord enters.There are six speed settings available, with 1 being the lowest and 6 the highest. The orbit diameter is 2.5mm, or 3/32 of an inch, standard for this type of sander.
The sander uses 5-inch disks, which is a common size that is easy to find. The backing pad is soft enough that the sander can handle contours as well as flat surfaces. It has a hook and loop surface to keep sanding disks secure. The backing pad will eventually need to be replaced, but should last for a long while, much longer than sanding disks do.
More features of the Bosch ROS20VS sander and ROS20VSC kit
- The cord is 8 feet long—great if you don’t want to use an extension cord
- The sander measures 5 by 6 by 9 inches
- Has constant-response circuitry to keep the speed consistent
- Eccentric offset is 3/64-inch or 1.2mm
- The kit includes the sander, the nylon carrying bag, the soft backing pad, a sanding disk, the vacuum hose adapter, and the micro-filter dust canister
- Sanding disks are the 8-hole variety
- Bosch offers a 1-year limited warranty that includes free service, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
Bosch ROS20VSK 120-Volt Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander Kit
As we mentioned above, the only difference between this kit and the other is the carrying container. The ROS20VSK comes with a hard plastic carrying case. It also includes the micro-filter dust container, the soft backing pad, a sanding dish, and an adapter for shopvac or vacuum hoses.
More features of the Bosch ROS20VSK kit
- Bosch offers a 1-year limited warranty that includes free service, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
Recommendation
With the same sander and accessories included, perhaps the choice comes down to your preference for hard or soft cases.
If you prefer a hard-sided carrying case, get the ROS20VSK.
If you prefer a soft contractor bag, get the ROS20VSC.
Click here to purchase Bosch ROS20VSC on Amazon!
Click here to purchase Bosch ROS20VSK on Amazon!