Metabo SRE 4351 Turbo Tec Handy Sandy!


Independent Review by Peter Brett


I am a happy user of two Metabo random orbit sanders that are perfect for my needs. I was so impressed when I tried them that I actually paid my own good money for the pair. I thought that random orbit sanding was the only game in town until the half- sheet version of the SRE 4350 TurboTec was sent for review. I had reasoned that simple orbital technology might be old hat, but after an hour or so of experimenting I was proved wrong. The SRE TurboTec is a virtual reinvention of orbital sanding and is in fact a highly sophisticated and desirable machine. So what is different? Recently launched by Metabo in the UK it comes


in two versions – the SRE 4350 and the SRE 4351. The first is a one third sheet sander and the second a half sheet. That is just about all that is “traditional” sanding in these machines. Looking at the SRE 4351 closely you cannot fail to


notice the robust quality of the typical Metabo machine. It is beautifully made and put together and you will find no loose bits in the casings nor dodgy cast alloy parts. The Metabo Green ABS body is well designed for


good ergonomics and is actually quite minimalist and slimline. It really does feel like it has good balance and a low centre of gravity for easy handling. Since orbital sanders, by definition, have to vibrate, there is a sensibly placed rubber overmould on the handle, the top of the motor housing and also around the front of the machine where it might be gripped should you choose to remove the front handle. A generous trigger size and simple to operate lock-on button make it easy for the operator to start and stop. On the front of the motor housing is the six-position thumbwheel to set the speed of the motor and above the main loop handle is the “turbo” switch, of which more later. Heading downwards from the motor housing, you


encounter a layer of crisply finished casting that incorporates the motor fan and a dust outlet. Directly


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beneath that is a rubber collar that is connected to the heavily ribbed alloy base. I noticed that the traditional square base has been rounded off on the corners, which should ensure that workpieces won’t get damaged if you sand right up to the edges. There is a pair of strong spring clamps that have a robust rubber, and therefore grippy, edging to them to hold a standard ½ sheet of abrasive paper in place. But I prefer, and use wherever possible, the hook and loop fixing that covers the base of the sander as you can buy ready punched abrasive paper to line up with the extraction holes in the base. This is really the most efficient form of safe dust extraction. The above sounds like it could describe many


other sanders in this fiercely competitive market sector, and if I hadn’t examined more closely I might have missed a few important features. For example, the highly successful Intec dust collection system from other Metabo sanders has been used on this one. The improvement on this one is that it has a ribbed grip on the end of it to form a better seal between the dust collector box and the sander. It also makes the dust cartridge easier to remove, and since the outlet size is standard, it will fit many other standard vacuum machine hoses too. The rubber collar connecting the alloy base to the


sander has also been much developed and improved. It is made from a tear-resistant rubber that also provides multiple ways of sealing the bearings from the inevitable dust created by sanding. If you have ever had the misfortune of sanding gypsum boards for example, you will know that the resulting persistent fine white powder is a perfect grinding medium for your bearings, so anything that keeps it out is a big plus. The oscillating system also has a double row of


angled ball bearings that ensure that the motor runs very smoothly. I know that seems like a contradiction in terms – these sanders are meant to vibrate – but a smooth running motor cuts vibrations to the user’s hands.


If all of the above sounds like “the usual marketing


stuff”, then what will convince you, as it did me, is to plug the machine in and start doing some real sanding. The first thing I noticed was that the motor is very quiet and controlled and that vibrations back to the hand were minimal. I absolutely hate whiny electric motors in power tools, but this Metabo motor is a smoothie. It is very easy to select any speed from 8400 to 22,000 orbits per minute using the speed dial, and then if you need to get a speed boost to maximum on a difficult bit, all you do is push the turbo button above the trigger handle. This turbo feature is so easy to turn on and off, it means that you don’t often have to fiddle with the speed dial. Nowadays, dust collection on sanders has to be


very efficient since lawmakers have realized how hazardous dust can be. The Metabo Intec dust collection system collects an amazing amount of dust using a system of pleated paper filters that can be cleaned and replaced easily. I tend to head straight for the vacuum machine option because it is cleaner and I am most often sanding in a closed workshop where I don’t want dust flying around. Connecting the SRE 4351TurboTec to a standard vac adaptor was straightforward and handy, because although I have a variety of adaptors for various machines, “standard” is always simpler and more efficient. I sanded, hardwood and softwood and even tried


a bit of plasterboard just to see how efficiently the dust collection system worked and I can only stress just how “civilized” an experience it was to use this Metabo TurboTec sander. It is quiet and smooth in operation, it simply oozes build quality and ease of handling, and I may have to consider whether there are some jobs where my random orbit sanders might not be as good. It is a fine 21st Century machine and simply reinforces the fact the Metabo is very good at making sanders.


Reply No. 214 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE 5


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