dual action vs. random orbit

[Boggin]

wanted a dual action sander for prepping the b2 for paint, instead of the shitty one i got, but on the canadian tire website they got the random orbit sanders which look alot of the same. im thinking the random orbit one is just for wood?
thanks

 

[daniel3507]

They are pretty much the same thing, just different name. They will give the same finish pretty much.

 

[shane96ranger]

A DUAL ACTION sand IS an oribital sander.

.......A dual action (DA) sander is called "dual action" because it can be run in two separate and distinct modes. One mode is orbital (when the air motor spindle is locked to the sanding pad). The other mode is RANDOM orbital (the air motor spindle has a bearing in it that the sanding pad is attached to. So the sanding pad not only turns orbital along with the spindle but it turns in a random oribtal because of the bearing).

I got this from:

http://www.autobodystore.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-3148.html