What is your favorite body prep tools, electric or pneumatic?

[Dreamscape]

I would like to start collecting some body work tools. What is your favorite likes or dislikes?
Example: What sander works the best for preping existing painted areas?
             What tools do you use for body filler work?

I have done this type of work in the past, several years ago. Are there any better designed tools now.

Thanks for the input,

Paul

Dreamscape

[kysteve]

Paul, my neighbors don't seem to care for any of my bodywork tools.....lol...   But all jokes aside, I only have a 50 gal air compressor and it dont want to keep up with some of my air tools.  Like my favorite for paint prep is a 5 inch dual action sander, but my compressor frowns every time I pick it up.  So in my case I use both electric and air, electric mostly while im waiting on the compressor to catch up.  Just my adaptation I guess......Steve...

[TomC]

Because of the dust, electric would get destroyed rather quickly-that's why air is used.  A disc sander, jitter bug (random orbital) and inline pad sander should be a good start.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

Because of the dust, electric would get destroyed rather quickly-that's why air is used.  A disc sander, jitter bug (random orbital) and inline pad sander should be a good start.  Good Luck,

What is the difference between a disc sander and a random orbit sander?  I thought air disc sanders are usually randon orbit already?

Brian

[grantgoold]

two stage air compressor with 75 gallon tank. Tools are only as good as the air you give em!


Grant
Sacramento

[Kristinsgrandpa]

  In line air sanders, sometimes called air files, 17.5" long are great for large flat panels.

   If you opt for one, Harbor Freight has one for $19.99. I bought one and it is a piece of junk. I wish I'd bit the bullet and bought the Ingersoll Rand. (about $70)

The Harbor Freight model won't hold paper unless you build it up with 3 double layers of duct tape, the paper clamp system is a copy of the Ingersoll unit but HF's copy is flimsy junk and keeps bending. I have to keep a pair of long nosed pliers handy to keep mine working.

Buying that, and my ex-wife, are the two bigggest mistakes I ever made in my life.

Ed

[TomC]

Disc sander rotates at 3-5000rpm, like a drill.  Orbital sander vibrates in place.  Disc sander-good for fast removal of Bondo, random orbital for slower finishing work.  Inline-good to get flat panels flat.  Good Luck, TomC