PART 2: Orbiter Update - Practical Test and Outlook
The Orbiter arrived as a loan device at our training workshop and immediately impressed us. In the practical test, it showed its capabilities and delivered excellent results. This robust device from the USA is a true workhorse, aimed at professionals and experienced users, such as table manufacturers who want to achieve a perfect oil finish in a short time. Its considerable weight, due to the full metal construction, is a plus for a perfect oil finish, as the oil is worked deep into the wood by the machine's own weight alone.
Together with Bressel Home, we tested the Orbiter and applied our 2K Worktop-Oil to a large oak monolithic slab. This linseed oil-tung oil blend protects the wood with just one application and perfectly highlights its color depth and texture. For the oil application, we used a beige 12-inch pad, which, compared to the usual 6-inch pads, enables significantly faster and more efficient work – a great advantage for large wooden surfaces. This also makes oiling easy to do alone.
After a short waiting period, the fresh oil was buffed with the white polishing pad – and done. Despite its massive weight, the Orbiter is incredibly smooth to operate and offers a secure grip thanks to its two handles, even for more demanding tasks. The "test oiling" was great fun – no wonder we oiled everything imaginable afterwards, 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. For Germany, however, extensive modifications are necessary to meet safety regulations and obtain CE marking, which increases the cost of the device. Soon, we expect to provide more precise information on prices, technical details, and contact points for service, repairs, and maintenance in Germany. So, stay tuned!
PART 1: The Orbiter: First Impressions
Wow, we're love-struck! We get to test the 11-inch full-metal two-hand Orbiter. The robust metal housing gives it considerable 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 super-efficient oil finish. This week, the practical test follows. You'll 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 eccentric sander can be really strenuous," André Bressel thought, as he applied the perfect oil finish to a huge monolithic table in the OLI training workshop. "You polish parquet floors with larger machines too!" A large Orbiter for thick pads – just like in the USA – that would be the absolute game-changer. And that's exactly where the idea was born: an XXL Orbiter Sanders & Polisher had to come!
Today was finally the day: We hold the Orbiter Sanders & Polisher in our hands – more precisely, in both, because this device is a full-metal two-hand Orbiter that we get to test in the coming weeks. The first sight is already exciting – it somehow reminds us of our beloved Defender TD5. Why? Because both are purist, functional, and reduced to the essentials. But what really distinguishes this device? In this blog post, we share our first impressions and look forward to reporting more about our practical experiences soon.
Robust and Purpose-Driven: The First Impression
The 11-inch Orbital Sanders & Polisher impresses with two handles for excellent grip and a sturdy metal housing that brings considerable weight – exactly what you expect from an orbital sander for wood finishing with high-solid oils. The solid construction reminds us not only visually but also functionally of our trusty Defender TD5. Here, there's no unnecessary frills, just pure, honest performance.
The Ultimate for Wood Finishing
Our Orbiter Sanders & Polisher weighs a solid 9 kg, bringing serious power to the wood. Its mass essentially presses the oil deep into the wood pores, while the strong motor performance generates friction heat, which increases penetration and ensures a uniform, rich surface. An important point, because the deeper the oil penetrates the wood, the better it is protected.
The 11-inch plate with hook-and-loop fastening makes it super easy to attach the large 30.5 cm massage and polishing pads, which are otherwise intended for floor machines. This makes applying oil to large surfaces really efficient and saves a lot of time – that already convinced us in theory.
Application Area and Target Group
Originally developed for the automotive sector, the Orbiter Sanders & Polisher has been specially adapted for demanding wood finishing. Its domain? Large surfaces such as XXL table tops, monoliths, and wood-epoxy resin tables – exactly its thing. For smaller pieces of furniture or parts with complex geometries, it naturally reaches its limits due to its size. The Orbiter Sanders & Polisher is a device for professional continuous use and is aimed at professionals and knowledgeable users such as table manufacturers who want to achieve a perfect oil finish on wood in the shortest possible time.
Practical Use on the Monolithic Table
Now it gets exciting: the practical test! We can hardly wait to try out the Orbiter Sanders & Polisher this week with André Bressel. The combination of purist design, strong motor performance, and large pads makes us really look forward to experiencing the device in real use. We are excited to see how it performs and what results we can achieve in practice.
Conclusion: Stay Tuned!
We will keep you updated and will report more about our experiences soon. One thing is already certain: this XXL two-hand full-metal Orbiter Sanders & Polisher is a real powerhouse and could soon become an indispensable tool in our OLI training workshop. So, stay tuned and look forward to the detailed test report! 🔧✨
