Found a Ridgid Orbital Sander at a Garage Sale - Worth It?

So I stumbled on this Ridgid R2611 random orbital sander at a garage sale this morning. The guy wanted $40, looked barely used and it came with a box of sanding discs, some still sealed. I couldn't resist and snagged it. Is it a good deal? I'm mostly a weekend woodworker, but I've been wanting to upgrade from my old palm sander.

Jealous! That's a steal if it works. But before you get too excited, make sure you check the power cord for any cuts or fraying, and give the sander a good inspection. See if the pad spins true without wobble. Safety first, man. If it's all good, then welcome to the club – that model has a decent dust collection, which is key for your lungs.

Agreed with Felix, you basically stole that! I've been using the same Ridgid for about 5 years now, still runs like a champ. $40 is a song. You'll love it for smoothing out those tabletops. Just remember to use light pressure, let the sander do the work. Also, check the hook-and-loop on the pad – sometimes they wear out, but you can replace it cheap.

Thanks guys! I checked the cord and the pad, all looks good. Gave it a quick run and it's smooth. I'm pumped to try it out this weekend on an oak table I'm refinishing. Any tips on grit sequence? I got a bunch of assorted discs with it.

For oak, start with 80 grit if it's really rough, then 120, then finish with 220. If you've got a lot to take off, you might want to start with 60, but careful not to gouge. And always go with the grain for the final passes. Show us the results when you're done!