Background
I have had the 6″ Mirka CEROS (Compact Electric Random Orbit Sander) for about a year. Although I have not used it in a production shop environment, I used it extensively for sanding sculptural work and, to a lesser degree, for flat surfaces. I have had absolutely no issues with it.
When I purchased the Mirka CEROS, it was only available as a 5″ or 6″ sander with a 5 mm orbit. The 5 mm orbit is for general work. Since then, Mirka has released two more 6″ CEROS models – one with a 2.5 mm stroke for finish sanding and one with an 8 mm stroke for more aggressive sanding. I do not believe these are currently available in North America.
Details
The sanding action is very smooth and the DC motor is powerful and reasonably quiet (68 dB, which is similar to a piano practice). It is lightweight and well-balanced, making it comfortable to use with either one hand or two. The power cord is quite flexible and permanently attached to the sander. Mirka sells a hose for the sanders, which is more flexible and lighter (for improved ergonomics) than the Festool Anti-Static D27 hose. The Mirka CEROS has a round dust port with female threads to accept a 1-1/4″ diameter threaded hose.
Although the Mirka sanders closely resemble pneumatic ones, they are powered by a maintenance-free, brushless DC motor and do not require a large air compressor. The sanders have a 14′-long power cord that plugs into one end of a 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ x 3-1/4″ transformer. A 6′-long power cord runs from the other end of the transformer into a standard AC outlet.
Sizes
The Mirka CEROS is available with either a 125mm (5″) or 150mm (6″) diameter pad. The smaller sander weighs 870 grams (1.9 pounds) and the larger weighs 920 grams (2 pounds). I think the 6″ version is more practical not only because it can sand a larger area more quickly, but because the larger pad has a greater distance between the edge of the pad and its body which is useful when working in tight quarters.
Speed Control
The speed of the sanding pad can be adjusted from 4,000-10,000 RPM in 1,000 RPM increments using the buttons on the top-rear of the sander. Between the speed control buttons is a power button for safety to prevent the sander from starting accidentally. The paddle switch on top is pressed and held down to operate the tool. By feathering the paddle, you can control the speed as well but it is very sensitive and not a very reliable way to run the sander at a lower speed. Instead, it functions as a soft-start feature, of sorts.
Critique
One addition that I would like to see is a pad brake. After releasing the paddle switch with the pad turning at 10,000 RPM, the pad continues to spin for about 19 seconds.
Video Review
This first video explains and demonstrates some of the features of the Mirka CEROS. (Duration: 10:19.)
(Note: Since recording this video, a reader has pointed out that the CEROS set to run at the lowest speed will indeed draw enough current when under moderate load to run a Festool Dust Extractor set to auto-start.)
In these two posts, you can read more about how I:
- combined the Mirka CEROS’s transformer with my Festool CT26 Dust Extractor; and
- modified the Festool D27 hose’s tool end to fit the Mirka CEROS’s dust collection port.
Video Demonstration
This second video is a demonstration of the Mirka CEROS. In the first part, I sand the flat top of a bench with 80, 120, 180, 220, and 320-grit Abranet discs. In the latter part of the video, I demonstrate how I sand contoured parts with and without the foam interface pad. (Duration: 13:43.)
Summary
Consider this sander because it:
- is powerful and easy to control;
- runs quietly and smoothly;
- feels good because it is compact and well-balanced;
- requires very little maintenance because it has few wearing components; and
- does not require a large air compressor to run (as a pneumatic sander does).
Warranty
The Mirka CEROS comes with a 3-year warranty. You can download the warranty information as well as manual from the Mirka CEROS website.
Accessories
Also, check out the Abranet abrasive discs made by Mirka. The discs last a long time and don’t require alignment of any dust collection holes. I would recommend getting the 80-, 120-, and 180-grit sanding discs as well as a Pad Saver (I called it a platen protector in the video). If you work with non-flat surface, I would also recommend looking at the 10 mm (3/8″) Multi Interface Pads
Suppliers
- Ultimate Tools in Burnaby, BC carries the Mirka CEROS, Abranet, Pad Savers, Multi Interface Pads, and Hose
- Lee Valley Tools carries Abranet, Pad Savers, and Multi Interface Pads.
- Woodcraft carries the Mirka CEROS, Abranet, and Pad Savers.
(I do not receive any compensation for what I write and the list of suppliers is by no means an exhaustive one; I’ve simply listed some to get you started.)
Mirka Part Numbers
- MIM5502011CA 125 mm CEROS, 5.0 mm Orbit
- 8295510111 125 mm (5″) 44-Hole Pad Savers (3 mm Thick), Pkg of 5*
- 8295500111 125 mm (5″) 44-Hole Multi Interface Pad (10 mm Thick), Pkg of 5*
- MIM6502011CA 150 mm CEROS, 5.0 mm Orbit
- 8295611111** 150 mm (6″) 57-Hole Pad Savers, Pkg of 5*
- 8295600111 150 mm (6″) 67-Hole Multi Interface Pad (10 mm Thick), Pkg of 5*
*Some dealers sell these parts individually.
**8295610111 150 mm (6″) 67-Hole Pad Savers, Pkg of 5 work with the 150 mm CEROS as well.
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 
Great video Chris. Could you list the CEROS P/N’s for the 6″ back-up pad and the contour pad that you are using please? I don’t see them listed on the Woodcraft site. Maybe there is a better source in the U.S.?
Keep up the great work.
Hi Ron,
I’ve added Mirka part numbers and some more supplier links in the article, towards the end.
Woodcraft.com lists the 6″ Pad Saver (back-up pad) here:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005922/18749/Pad-Protector-6-2.aspx
Woodcraft also lists 6″ Multi Interface Pads but they are shown having only five holes, which likely are not as effective at collecting dust. You can see them here:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005922/18747/Interface-Pad-6.aspx
Thanks for the comment.
Chris
Hey Chris; Just a Fyi. Ultimate tools is stocking the contour pads for both the 5 and 6″ Ceros Sanders.
Thanks,
gary
Thanks, Gary. I’ll update the article to reflect that.
Chris
Hey Chris
Mohawk Western Finishing Supplies on Kent ave Vancouver sells the Finishing model
Cheers
Dan
Hi, I’m wondering if the initial dust expulsion during start-up is because you used the Abranet discs. Do you experience this with normal paper abrasives?
JC,
I’ve experienced the same thing (but to a greater degree) with my old Makita random orbit sander which only used a bag for dust collection (no vacuum hookup). I’ve never used regular discs with the CEROS, but I have used the Abranet HD discs which are closer to standard discs in regards to perforations and I don’t recall having as much of an issue with dust expulsion.
Chris
Woodworkers Hardware wwhardware.com sells Mirka sanders and abranet.
I loved your review.
Very well done videos with much information that cannot be easily described in text alone.
Chris, your comment about the vacuum not running at 4000 RPM is not exactly correct. If you actually use it, meaning sanding with it the amount of electricity needed to run the tool and not slow it down will kick the Festool vacuum on. DC power is different than AC power, DC delivers the power when it is needed. That’s why it doesn’t slow down when you put a heavier load on it. So you can use the sanding at the lowest setting on the sander on Auto setting with the vac.
MIrka offers a hose in 4m (MIN6519411) and 10m (MIN6519711)now.
Nice video you show good features.
Paul,
You are absolutely correct. I just verified what you said and found that at the lowest speed, not under load, the sander would not keep the Festool dust extractor running when set to Auto. However, once I put load on the tool, the dust extractor ran continuously.
Thank you for taking the time to point that out and explain why. I will edit your point into article.
And, yes, the Mirka hoses are a good accessory to the CEROS. The Festool Anti-Static D27 hose works, but is quite stiff in comparison.
Chris
Hi Chris: Ultimate Tools in Burnaby stocks the 8mm stroke Ceros for agressive work and for faster polishing performance. The 2mm fine finishing one is always available from Ultimate Tools as a special order, with delivery typically about a week.
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the information. I’ll have to come by some day and try the 8mm version.
You’re not working tomorrow, are you? You should come by Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody) tomorrow to see my work in person!
Chris
my mirka sander as stopped working cannot get any power.also i am thinking of getting a air mirka sander ,but i need to know which compressor is bets for the job?
Hi Dale,
Have you contacted Mirka to help you troubleshoot?
I have not ventured into the word of pneumatic tools, but I do know that pneumatic sanders require a high volume of air. Look for a compressor with a big tank and a high duty cycle, which means the compressor can run for a greater percentage of the day.
Chris
Thanks for the reply . Can you give me a contact address/ help line cheers dale
Dale,
Where do you live? Have you tried contacting the place from where you bought your CEROS?
Chris
Bought it on eBay brand new about a year ago , but moved to a bigger workshop 6 months ago so not sure where the box is .paper work ect.
Dale,
I would look at your eBay account to see if there’s record of the purchase, and who you bought it from. If it was a retailer, not an individual selling their tool, I’d contact them for help. Otherwise, I can send you a couple leads to chase down but I’d need your rough location – Canada, US, Europe…?
Chris
I will do that cheers Chris . I live in England
Dale,
According to Mirka’s website, their customer service manager is Christina Strand and her e-mail is christina.strand@mirka.com.
Chris
Your mirka sander has a 3 year warranty. You should have zero problems getting it up and running again,
Gary
Ultimate Tools.
I bought the Mirka Ceros 5″ sander about 8 months ago. After having a load on it for 30 to 45 minutes the sander became very hot and the motor was loosing power. Sent the sander in and they found it had a bad motor. While mine was being repaired I borrowed my suppliers demo unit and that one did the same thing. After about a month I got mine back put it under a load for about 30 minutes sanding cabinet doors, although it didn’t get hot the power decreased and I had to feather the paddle switch to get the head to spin. My supplier wants to send it back in but I told them I just want a replacement. Cold, the sander is an absolute beast. Good balance and great dust extraction.
Hopefully we’ll get this figured out. Looking to try Festool’s new sander.
Scott G.