PART 2: Orbiter Update - Practical Test and Outlook
The Orbiter came to us as a loaner machine for our training workshop and immediately impressed us. In the practical test, it demonstrated its capabilities and delivered excellent results. This robust machine from the USA is a true workhorse designed for professionals and experienced users, such as table makers who want to achieve a perfect oil finish in a short time. Its considerable weight, due to its all-metal construction, is an advantage for achieving a perfect oil finish, as the machine's own weight works the oil deep into the wood.
Together with Bressel Home, we tested the Orbiter and applied our 2K Worktop-Oil to a large oak monolith slab. This linseed oil-tung oil blend protects the wood with just one application and perfectly enhances its color depth and texture. For applying the oil, we used a beige 12-inch pad, which enables significantly faster and more efficient work compared with the usual 6-inch pads - a major advantage on large wooden surfaces. This also makes oiling easy to do on your own.
After a short dwell time, the fresh oil was polished with the white polishing pad - and that was it. Despite its substantial weight, the Orbiter is exceptionally smooth to guide and offers a secure grip thanks to its two handles, even during more demanding tasks. Testing the oil application was great fun - no wonder we went on to oil all kinds of things, from a core beech slab to an old whisky barrel lid from Slyrs.
The Orbiter from the USA is designed for the American market and can be customized with various options and packages. However, extensive modifications are required for Germany to meet safety regulations and obtain CE certification, which increases the cost of the machine. We expect to provide more precise information soon about pricing, technical details, and service, repair, and maintenance contacts in Germany. So, stay tuned!
PART 1: The Orbiter: First Impressions
Wow, we’re completely smitten! We get to test the 11-inch, all-metal, two-handed Orbiter. Its robust metal housing gives it substantial weight and ensures that the oil penetrates even deeper into the wood - perfect for a first-class finish. The plate accommodates 12-inch pads, enabling a highly efficient oil finish. The practical test is coming this week. You can find out about our first impressions and whether the Orbiter will become our new game changer in the training workshop in the blog post.
“Man, polishing XXL tables with a 6-inch random orbital sander can be really exhausting,” thought André Bressel as he gave a huge monolith table the perfect oil finish in the OLI training workshop. “You polish parquet floors with larger machines, after all!” A large Orbiter for oversized pads - like they use in the USA - would be the ultimate game changer right now. And that’s exactly where the idea was born: We needed an XXL Orbiter Sanders & Polisher!
Today, the time had finally come: We were holding the Orbiter Sanders & Polisher in our hands - more precisely, in both hands, because this machine is an all-metal, two-handed Orbiter that we are allowed to test over the next few weeks. Even at first glance, it impresses us - it somehow reminds us of our beloved Defender TD5. Why? Because both are purist, purpose-oriented, and reduced to the essentials. But what really sets this machine apart? In this blog post, we share our first impressions and look forward to reporting more about our practical experience soon.
Robust and Purpose-Oriented: First Impressions
The 11-inch Orbital Sanders & Polisher impresses with two handles for a secure grip and a sturdy metal housing that adds substantial weight - exactly what you expect from a random orbital sander for wood finishing with high-solids oils. Its solid construction reminds us of our faithful Defender TD5 not only visually but also functionally. There’s no unnecessary frills here, just pure, honest performance.
The Ultimate for Wood Finishing
Our Orbiter Sanders & Polishers weighs in at a substantial 9 kg, bringing serious power to the wood. Its mass essentially presses the oil deep into the wood pores, while the powerful motor generates frictional heat, increasing penetration and ensuring an even, rich surface. This is important because the deeper the oil penetrates the wood, the better it is protected.
The 11-inch plate with hook-and-loop attachment makes it very easy to secure the large 30.5 cm massage and polishing pads, which are otherwise intended for floor machines. This makes applying oil to large surfaces highly efficient and saves a great deal of time - a benefit that has already convinced us in theory.
Applications and Target Group
Originally developed for the automotive sector, the Orbiter Sanders & Polishers was specially adapted for demanding wood finishing. Its territory? Large surfaces such as XXL table tops, monoliths, and wood-and-epoxy-resin tables - exactly what it was made for. Due to its size, it naturally reaches its limits on smaller pieces of furniture or components with complex geometries. The Orbiter Sanders & Polisher is a machine for professional continuous use and is aimed at professionals and knowledgeable users such as table makers who want to achieve a perfect oil finish on wood in the shortest possible time.
Practical Use on the Monolith Table
Now things get exciting: the practical test! We can hardly wait to try out the Orbiter Sanders & Polishers with André Bressel this week. The combination of purist construction, powerful motor performance, and large pads makes us eager to see the machine in real-world use. We’re excited to see how it performs and what results we can achieve in practice.
Conclusion: Stay Tuned!
We’ll keep you updated and will soon report more about our experiences. One thing is already certain: This XXL, all-metal, two-handed Orbiter Sanders & Polishers is a true powerhouse and could soon become an indispensable tool in our OLI training workshop. So, stay tuned and look forward to the detailed test report! 🔧✨
