CHEAP VACUUM SANDER REVIEW

Easy to watch informative videos, thanks. Just a homeowner in the USA who bought a vacuum sander years ago and it makes me and the wife especially very happy when the occasional drywall sanding becomes necessary. The screen paper does leave its share of scratches and since you say this perforated paper leaves a better finish I went looking for it. Amazon doesn't sell it and as far as I can tell neither do our big box stores, Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. The Richard web site doesn't appear to have online ordering page. I'm hoping maybe you or your viewers might have a suggestion as to how I can get this paper. Thanks again and looking forward to more videos.

Greatest invention ever! Especially if you are not the greatest DIY drywaller (like me) and put on to much mud, sand, repeat etc. It could literally save your sanity and marriage for less than $20 (understatement). I find it easier to skip the pole and control it by hand by standing on a step stool for ceilings, high on the wall, etc. Practice with this tool and in the meantime you will not be wanting to blow your brains out cursing out loud at the mess you are creating at the same time. Drywall dust is a NIGHTMARE (don't mean to shout but I'm getting worked up just thinking about it)!

Thanks for sharing the video. I'm just fixing up a smaller job in my girlfriend's bathroom and came across the Hyde Vacuum Sander. Your video really helps shed some light on what to expect. Thanks man.

Hey Vancouver Carpenter! Big fan thanks for all your knowledge you submit! I’m curious as to what happened to your neck and shoulder from drywall? Is it something that all big drywallers get? Thanks so much for all your help!

I used some CGC Dust Control "low dust" premixed compound recently, and it tended to clog the holes in the paper. I then used some regular lightweight premix, and no problem, it sucked right through.
(I vaguely remember reading some time back that the "low dust" compounds are designed to have the dust particles clump together and they fall to the floor easier, not sure if that was causing the issue)

Do you still use this vacuum sander

"It is the Richards drywall sander, some parts of the states it might be called Dicks" lol

@Vancouver Carpenter
I was looking for a drywall vacuum sanding solution like this, because alot of times having to take out something like the PorterCable sanding is more of a hassle than its worth, since you basically have to hold up the weight of the motor while you're using it.

Are you aware of the "Full Circle Dust-Free Sanding System"? Its basically this idea, but perfected, and still cheap. The kit comes with its own perforated sandpaper like the one you featured in this video, a rectangular sander and round "Radius 360°" sander, both are installed on swivel heads, a pole and vac hose.

The demo videos show it sticking to the wall, staying in place when you let it go, from the suction of the vacuum. Its a pretty stellar product if you ask me.

One more thing, I really hope you review that "Tape in Mud" product. They sent me a sample pack which I'm waiting on. Will be using it myself to renovate the walls to an entire 2 bedroom apartment next week, how about that.

Where in USA, can one buy the perforated sand paper? I looked on Amazon, etc... Any tips?

Does anybody know if the Richard perforated sandpaper is sold in the states?

Tip: you can control the suction by rotating the 2 collars on top

And the Richard's perforated pre-cut sanding strips, can't find an outlet, want the 100 grit...?

Thanks for the post. Your advice about buying the perforated sandpaper was very helpful. I was able to find some at Rona and they worked well.

I use the Richards all the time but the newer version. The new sander is much better but the sanding medium is still lacking. The yellow sheets I see here on this clip are better than the screens but still sadly lacking. I have a sanding medium that I have patented that is far superior and last much longer. I hope to be marketing them soon. Let me know if your interested and I will send you a clip of what I have in action.

how about the sanding pads?

No luck finding those sanding sheets. Does anybody have a link?

You should know, as a rule a typically don't leave comments. However, I have to tell you that your videos are phenomenal! I'm in the middle of a lot of home renovation projects, and it's my first real attempt at many of this. Your videos are simple, to the point, and real. A lot of "DIY" channels out there are more of a production and a "look what I did". Thanks for providing a great channel with some really great information!! Your explanation and techniques really make it easy to understand and it takes a lot of anxiety out of drywall finish. Much appreciated!

I went to the Hyde link from Amazon and saw an even cheaper model of vacumn sander that uses a sponge sanding square. They have a video explaining how it works but I am skeptical. Its truely a simple attachment that fits around a sponge block then attaches to a shop vac. Thinking of making my own out of the many useless attachments that comes with vacuums. I dont see how the dust could make it through the sponge in order to get sucked up. We'll see!

Thank you for your wonderful videos. What vacuum do you use? I just did a proper sanding for the first time and boy did it leave dust all over the place. I was thinking about connecting my handheld Dyson with my Bosch orbital sander (GEX 125-1 AE :: small diameter not terrible for old wavy brick walls).. I'm just worried that maybe the compound material might destroy the Dyson.

brilliant. only problem is I can not find the perforated sanding sheets anywhere here in the future. Maybe I should just get the Festool for just $800 more.

I just bought the product, thank you for showing us how to use it. I'm sorry I didn't buy it on Amazon, we refuse to use them since they don't pay taxes or take care of their employees. Thanks again

ADDITIONAL NOTE: ... I've been online for a good 30 years... & NORMALLY don't post comments at all... but this is the FIRST time I felt so MOVED ... to actually write something... (Also please note that I use Caps... strictly for EMPHASIS.... I am NOT Yelling, LOL... Cheers, Dave

DRYWALLING IS THE PART OF MY DIY HOUSE RENOVATION THAT I HATE MOST......BECAUSE OF THE DUST......NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO :D

It really seems to grab the wall and becomes really hard to move. I have the valves all the way open but it still seems to stick to the surface and take a lot of effort to move. Is that just the way it is or an I don't it wrong. By the way I'm doing my own reno and your videos have been invaluable.

I bought and tried a couple of these over the years and thought they'd be great. The problem for me was the static electricity. You don't mention that at all, nor do any comments. I seriously couldn't stand it after a few minutes. I was in Calgary, which is a very dry climate, but I've seen anti-static vacuum hoses someplace since, so others must have this problem too.

good for small renovations I guess and patches glad we have mainly new houses to do

I got one of these and was completely unsuccessful using it with a sanding pole. I used it with a sanding screen and the vacuum held it so tight to the ceiling that I couldn't push it. It just stuck. I turned the little collars to reduce the vacuum as much as possible, but still no luck. I switched back to just using a regular sanding head on a sanding pole. Fortunately, I have watched enough Vancouver Carpenter videos to learn how to avoid having to do very much sanding in the first place.

The yellow sandpaper is made by Joest. For a long time we supplied Richard but recently they went to a look-a-like from China. The original can still be purchased by pm me.

Just use 100 grit sand paper for corners..porter cable sander is the best sanders...

going to buy one rfn

You just saved me a ton of money. I didnt think you could use a pole with this.

Thank you for the Video The sander looks like it works well I am going to give it a try. The amazon link worked great. The Richards sanding paper is hard to come by. I found it at CSR supply in Canada. Thanks again

👍👍🌹🌹

Thank you i thought i was doing something wrong now i understand the limits and how to use effectively

Try a Hyde pole sander

The upgraded version

I just got this delivered from Amazon: just 2 hours before stumbling onto your video! You gave me a rush of hope!

Decided to try this based on 1 Bob Villa recommendation, but several negative reviews.

I appreciate your candid honesty. My first run with it was DEAD-ON to your description - the pros & cons. My walls in this project are only 72 inches tall, two are 6ft and the others are 13 ft, with a small bump out “closet for the house electrical box. I used a two hand method with the head, while dropping the hose over my shoulder to try to maintain some control. At this point, I can’t imagine having tried to run this thing on a pole! It did give a good consistent finish to the wall (complete with scratches!… As you described!…), But the dust control in this small area was awesome! I’m doing a finishing coat of mud next. By then I hope to find some of those sanding sheets you showed. I’m hoping that’ll give my pre-primer finish a better look then my first run with this device.

All said end was well worth my investment! Thanks for affirming it!

Thanks for the honest review! I'll probably get one of these for the smaller jobs I get called out for. Unfortunately, I found this review after I dropped the $4,000 on the Festool setup I barely use. At least the vacuum has other uses...

Can I use this to sand my ceiling beams? Is there another better option you would recommend?

Something i can add, finally too:

This works GREAT with a Dyson v11 outsize for small work. Finding the right adapters was a bit of work. Keep the vacuum oriented vertically (not upside down doen) and run it on boost. Boost keeps fhe dust out of fhe filters. The really amazing part is that if you do it this way, you can suck up almost a full bin of dust without worrying about clogging the filter.

After watching your video, went out and got one. The hose is very flexible and easily hooked it up to my cheapo Rigid vacuum and had only a bit of dust on the floor. My three large patches needed very little sanding after watching you show how to do it properly, been doing it wrong all these years. After discovering your videos been watching a lot of them, Thanks.

Found the Richard Sanding Pads in the US at the Store Sutherlands. You can google richard 18243-2 to find the 180 grit

Hey Ben, I hope you’re still commenting on some of your older videos! I have a question - I’m finishing my basement in my house - I’ve put up ~65 drywall boards so far and still have about 10 more before I move onto prefill. As the space is occupied by my family, I’m hoping to keep dust at a minimum, but I’m not wanting to buy top of the line stuff either. For finishing a full basement, would you recommend this product, or the power sander from Princess Auto (around $140 CAD)? I’ve been watching a ton of your videos to learn how this works and would love your opinion!

Thanks in advance!