Working Advice
- Before carrying out any work on the power tool (e.g. maintenance, tool change etc.), remove the battery from the power tool. There is risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch.
- Always wait until the power tool has come to a complete stop before placing it down.
- This power tool is not suitable for bench-mounted use. It must not be clamped into a vice or fastened to a workbench, for example.
Switch the power tool on, place the entire sanding surface against the surface of the workpiece and apply moderate pressure as you move the sander over the workpiece.
The material removal rate and sanding result are primarily determined by the choice of sanding sheet, the preselected orbital stroke rate level (only with UniversalOrbit 18V-20) and the contact pressure.
Only immaculate sanding sheets achieve good sanding performance and make the power tool last longer.
Be sure to apply consistent contact pressure in order to increase the lifetime of the sanding sheets.
Excessively increasing the contact pressure will not lead to increased sanding performance; rather, it will cause more severe wear of the power tool and premature failure of the sanding plate.
Do not use a sanding sheet for other materials after it has been used to work on metal.
Use only original Bosch-sanding accessories.
Attach a fine grit sanding sheet.
You can reduce the sanding plate orbital stroke rate by lightly varying the contact pressure or changing the orbital stroke rate level; the random orbit motion will be retained.
Move the power tool with moderate pressure flat on the workpiece in a circular motion or alternately along and across it. Do not tilt the power tool in order to avoid sanding through the workpiece, e.g. veneers.
Switch the power tool off after completing operation.
For polishing up weathered paint and redressing scratches (e.g. acrylic glass), the power tool can be fitted with an appropriate polishing tool, e.g. lambswool bonnet, polishing felt or polishing sponge (accessory).
Select a low orbital stroke rate (level 1–4) when polishing in order to avoid heating up the surface excessively.
Apply the polish to an area slightly smaller than the area which you intend to polish. Using the appropriate polishing tool, work in the polish with either linear or circular movements and with moderate pressure.
Do not allow the polish to dry out on the surface; this may damage the surface. Do not expose the surface which you intend to polish to direct sunlight.
Clean the polishing tool regularly to ensure good polishing results. Wash the polishing tools with mild detergent and warm water; do not use thinning agents.
The figures in the table below are recommended values.
The best method for determining the best combination while sanding or polishing is practical experimentation.
Application | Grit | Orbital stroke rate level |
|---|---|---|
Abrading paint | 180/240 | 2/3 |
Retouching paint | 120/240 | 4/5 |
Removing paint | 40/60 | 5 |
Softwood | 40/240 | 5/6 |
Hardwood | 60/240 | 5/6 |
Veneer | 180/240 | 2–4 |
Aluminium | 80/240 | 4/5 |
Steel | 40/240 | 5 |
Derusting steel | 40/120 | 6 |
Stainless steel | 80/240 | 5 |
Stone | 80/240 | 5/6 |