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> Clarke orbital sander obs-18DC floor sanding OBS18 18
Clarke orbital sander obs-18DC floor sanding OBS18 18
Photobucket ALTO CLARKE OBS-18DC Photobucket
COMPLETE WITH NEW PAD DRIVER AND DUST BAG; 20' CORD
CLARKE OBS 18 DC CLARKE OBS 18 DC
* Dust collection bag-or connect it to your shop-vac for even better dust removal
* Dust skirt aids in dust collection by improving vacuum below the base and reducing particles kicked out
* Safety interlock (yellow button on top of handle) prevents accidental starting of the sander
* 20-foot, 12 gauge cord with twist-lock connector. High quality rubber sheathing; impact-resistant plugs
* "Pilot light" LED in plug indicates power connection
* Thermal protection breaker prevents motor overheat (reset switch is on the top of the motor junction box)
* Manual in English, French, Spanish; includes parts listings
The pad driver plate is even, with no bent or broken corners. The pad driver bearing and rubber springs look very good. The dust hood is firm and solid. The cord is in good shape, with normal scuffs and scratches. The dust bag is BRAND NEW! The dust skirt is in good condition.
The pad driver is in fair condition, with some usefulness remaining. However, since it's not in very good condition, I am including a brand new pad driver with this sander.
This sander is in VERY GOOD overall condition!
Pad driver, in usable condition; NEW pad driver will be included!
* Pad and Abrasive Sheet Size: 12 x 18 in. (commonly available, grits range from 12 to 200)
* Motor: 1 HP thermally protected
* Power cord: high-quality rubber sheathing; dust-blocking, impact-resistant plugs; twist-lock connection.
For those who want more information, you can view the owner's manual for this product on Clarke's website by clicking this link: OBS Manual
From Clarke's website: "Since 1903, Clarke American Sanders has been the worldwide standard for quality, reliability and performance in professional grade floor sanding equipment. For [floor] sanders, Clarke American Sanders is the professional's choice."
I include the above promotional statement because it is true! I have seen Clarke sanders that are older than I am, and still going strong! (And that's-well, let's put it this way-I am a member of AARP...) I spent several years in the rental industry dealing with these machines, and we had very few problems with the OBS-18. The problems we DID have were mostly from people doing the "dont's" I discuss below, in "Care and Feeding".
The OBS-18 is a less aggressive sander. It is appropriate for lighter work, such as sanding a new floor, finish sanding a drum-sanded floor, sanding after staining or sealing, or scuffing between coats. It will work for heavier jobs, too, but requires more time than, say, a drum sander.
LED in plug shows power status; do you see why I call this a "goat's head" handle?
Someone will be seeing this view for many productive hours
CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR OBS-I8 DC:
* If the circuit breaker is triggered (small white button on top of the motor junction box) then either the unit is overheating (I have known of this happening when sanding a deck in August; or it could be from prolonged heavy use), or the electrical supply is insufficient. Be sure not to use an extension cord if at all possible; if you do, it should be a 12-gauge, no longer than 25 feet, or a 10-gauge, no longer than 50 feet. It could also be that the building circuit you are using is overloaded; if a refrigerator, for example, is running on the same circuit, that's too much! Running the machine with insufficient current can cause motor damage!
* You should never use the dust bonnet (plastic "dome" on top of the motor) as a lifting handle. While the studs attaching it to the motor housing are plenty sturdy enough, they won't stand up to the abuse of lifting 125 lbs!
* I have known of people adding weight to the machine (even children!!) in order to try to remove material faster. Don't do dat! It is pure death on the rubber oscillating springs, and will shorten the life of the motor and bearings; you might also damage the dust bonnet (see previous).
* Never leave the machine on a hard surface when not in use; it will shorten the life of the pad driver. Leave it sitting on a pad, or lay it on its back.
* Finally, to maximize the life of the pad driver and rubber springs, you should replace pads when they have compressed down to 1/2 of their original thickness.
Almost all of these sanders will tend to "drift" to the right (occasionally left) when running. This is not a "defect"; it's the nature of the tool, and it can change once the machine "warms up". Rather than fighting that drift (and getting sore muscles, and cursing the idiot who sold it to you), you can use it to your advantage.
Simply push the sander forwards and backwards, as in the first drawing below, letting it "drift" until you have covered a patch of floor. This could be a small area, or the entire width of a room. Once you get to the end of that area, turn it 90 degrees and pull it back to the starting point (second drawing).
Now you can go over the same area again (third drawing), or start a new area.
I will shortly be listing a Clarke EZ-8 drum sander... watch for it!
