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I first wrote about the new sander from Mirka known as CEROS (Compact Electrical Random Orbit Sander) around tax time in 2010. (Read that blog post and watch a video we posted.) I was a believer at that time – I believed that a product would make its way to market when it was scheduled. I’m not busting on Mirka, mind you, because I’ve come to understand the process – the slow, slow process – of getting items approved by Underwriter’s Laboratories and the Canadian Standards Association. CEROS has been struggling through these two organizations for quite a while even though the sander has been available in Europe for many months.
For those of us who have been patiently waiting, the time has come. There are retailers selling CEROS – retailers that actually have the product on hand and are not just taking orders. The price for CEROS is $495 whether you’re looking at the 6″ or the 5″ version.
Is this sander worth the money? It is in my book. CEROS is an electric-powered sander that feels, looks and operates like an air-powered tool. If you haven’t used this type of sander, I can say that it is as different as night and day when compared to common random orbit sanders that most woodworkers are accustom to using. Not only have I sanded projects in preparation for dye and finish, I used CEROS to sand between finish coats on a few projects. With #400-grit Abranet disc – another woodworker must have from Mirka – on the pad, my work was quick, clean and smooth.
CEROS is an important product for Mirka, so the company is holding nothing back. Mirka has a web site dedicated to CEROS (click here to take a look). At the site you get everything from a quick start guide to get you up and running right away, to photos, user manual and parts downloads and a list of approved retailers. You can also see the company’s warranty policy for this tool. It is first rate.
The warranty is in effect for three years from the time of purchase; yes, you do have to register. If you have a problem, you call the company and your information will be recorded. Soon thereafter, you’ll receive an email with all the specifics listed as well as a shipping label so the sander can be sent for repair. The shipping expense is covered by Mirka. Once your sander arrives for service, the goal is to make repairs within two business days. At that time, you get a second email with all the tracking information as your sander makes its way back to you. Shipping on the way back is also picked up by Mirka. That’s standing behind a product.
Take a look at the web site, watch the video and see what you think. Of course, you owe it to yourself to give CEROS a try.
