DeWalt Random Orbital Wood Floor Sander

Why I reached for the 218-OS

I put the 218-OS to work on a pair of projects that represent what most people actually need from a floor sander: a “screen and recoat” on a 600-square-foot, lightly worn oak living room, and finish-smoothing after a drum-sand on a maple hallway that had a few stubborn chatter marks. In both scenarios, I wanted a machine that was controllable, consistent, and capable of leaving a uniform surface ready for finish—without gouging, scalloping, or beating me up with vibration. That’s exactly where this sander shines.

This is a true floor-class rectangular orbital with a 12 x 18 in pad and an 18 in sanding path. It’s corded (115 V) with a 1.0 hp, totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor and a 50 ft non-marking rubber cord. The build is unapologetically industrial: a cast aluminum main frame and pad driver plate, bristle dust skirt, and a dust pipe sized for 1-1/2 or 2 in vacuum hoses. At 125 lb, it’s no lightweight, but that mass contributes to the flat, chatter-free results that are the reason to choose a machine like this in the first place.

Setup and usability

Out of the crate, setup is straightforward. The pad accepts standard 12 x 18 in abrasive sheets or sanding screens with a driver pad, so you’re not chasing specialty paper. The included dust bag is easy to attach, and the dust pipe takes a friction fit to most common shop vac hoses; a short adapter sleeve makes for a tight connection if your hose is on the loose side.

The handle height and stance put you in a comfortable, upright position, and the machine’s “torque-less” behavior means it doesn’t try to run away or twist in your hands when you start it. That’s a marked difference from rotary buffers or aggressive drum machines—there’s no wrestling match. The 3 in transport wheels are small but adequate for rolling room to room; for stairs or loading, plan on two people or a ramp.

Performance on the floor

The 218-OS operates at 3,600 orbits per minute, and the speed feels well-matched to the pad size. Productivity is better than most rectangle orbitals I’ve used; you can keep the machine moving at a reasonable walking pace and still achieve full scratch coverage.

• For screening and recoats, I ran a maroon pad with a 120-grit screen, then 150, hooked to a HEPA vac. Coverage was consistent wall-to-wall, and finish abraded cleanly without visible swirls. The bristle skirt helps maintain a little negative pressure at the surface, which prevents dust puffs at room edges and around nail holes.

• For post-drum smoothing, I worked 80 > 100 > 120-grit sheets to erase cross-grain marks and blend seams. The rectangular footprint reaches tight to baseboards and under radiators where a round buffer can’t, and it leaves a flat, uniform scratch that disappears under finish.

This is not a stock-removal machine, and that’s the point. If you’re trying to flatten cupped boards or strip thick, gummy finish, a drum or a more aggressive planetary sander is the right first step. The 218-OS excels as a refinement and maintenance tool.

Dust collection and cleanliness

Dust containment is better than average for this class. With the independent dust pickup fan and bristle skirt, the included bag captures a surprising amount of debris on lighter passes. That said, if you can hook up a proper vacuum (1-1/2 or 2 in hose), do it. With a HEPA vac attached, airborne dust dropped dramatically, and the workspace stayed clean enough that I wasn’t constantly stopping to sweep. The dust pipe position keeps the hose out of your way, and the 50 ft cord’s non-marking jacket spared light-colored baseboards from scuffs.

Noise, vibration, and operator comfort

Measured sound is rated at 74 dBA, and subjectively that tracks. In practice, the tone is a steady hum rather than a shrill whine, which makes long sessions less fatiguing. I still wear hearing protection, but the difference versus cheaper open-frame motors is noticeable. Vibration at the handles is low; after a couple of hours, my hands weren’t tingling, and I didn’t feel the need to “death grip” the machine to keep it tracking straight.

Build quality and maintenance

The cast aluminum frame and pad driver plate give the machine a planted feel. Nothing flexes, and there’s no rattling hardware. The totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor (TEFC) is a smart choice for dusty environments; it keeps debris out of the windings and eliminates periodic motor cleaning. Routine maintenance is mostly about keeping the bristle skirt clean, checking the driver pad condition, and emptying the dust bag before it packs tight and chokes airflow. Access to the pad and skirt is clear, so swaps and inspections are quick.

The cord is high quality, with a durable strain relief, and the plug seats firmly. A 2-year parts and labor warranty (consumables excluded) rounds out what feels like a purpose-built, jobsite-ready package.

Abrasives and technique tips

• Stick with a sensible grit sequence. If you’re refining after a drum, don’t try to jump straight to 150; hit the cross-grain marks with 80 or 100, then step up.
• For screen-and-recoat, pair a maroon conditioning pad with 120 or 150 screens. The pad distributes pressure evenly and protects the driver pad.
• Keep the machine moving at a consistent walking pace. Overlapping your passes by a third ensures even scratch coverage without oversanding high spots.
• Edge first, then field, then a quick blend pass. The rectangular pad can nibble close to walls, but a dedicated edger still does the last inch best.

What I like

• Predictable, flat results. The torque-less behavior and mass make it easy to achieve a consistent surface.
• Better-than-average dust containment, especially when paired with a vacuum via the 1-1/2 or 2 in port.
• Quiet and comfortable for long sessions. The 74 dBA rating and low vibration reduce fatigue.
• Standard 12 x 18 in abrasives and screens are easy to source, and the 18 in sanding path covers ground efficiently.
• Robust build with a TEFC motor and a non-marking 50 ft cord suited for finished spaces.

Where it falls short

• It’s heavy at 125 lb. Transport is the only time you feel the weight; plan ramps and a helper if you’re moving it frequently.
• Not a remover. If you expect to power through thick finish or flatten severely cupped boards, you’ll be disappointed. Use it for what it’s designed to do: prepare and refine.
• The included dust bag works, but it’s a compromise compared to a vac. It fills quickly on coarse passes, and performance tapers as it loads.
• Corners still need hand work or a detail sander; the rectangular pad gets close but not all the way.

Who it’s for

The 218-OS is ideal for flooring pros and serious DIYers who need a reliable screening and finish-sanding machine. If you maintain gym floors or do a lot of “clean and coat” work, it hits a sweet spot of speed and surface quality. It’s also a great companion to a drum or belt sander for final passes that remove chatter and prepare for stain or topcoat.

If you’re a homeowner tackling a single recoat and you can manage the weight, it’s forgiving to use and unlikely to damage your floor—a big advantage over aggressive machines.

Recommendation

I recommend the 218-OS for anyone who values surface quality and control over brute-force removal. It produces a flat, uniform scratch pattern, manages dust competently (especially with a vac attached), runs quietly for the category, and is built to hold up in dusty, real-world environments. It won’t replace a drum sander for heavy stock removal, and it isn’t the easiest tool to lug up stairs, but for screening, blending, and fine finish prep, it’s a dependable, professional-grade choice that does exactly what it promises with minimal fuss.