As a family-owned Finnish company, Mirka is widely recognised as being a highly focused and enlightened business with numerous attributes that help the company stand out from its peers.
Our editorial director, John Legg, attended a recent product launch in Milton Keynes, which once more served to underline Mirka’s stated continuous development strategy, as well as showing a significant commitment to its long-held sustainability mantra, which could well see the company anchoring itself at the very centre of the challenges surrounding the life cycle of the industry’s abrasive products.
Mirka has, for more than 80 years, been focused on developing abrasives and tools under the same roof in Jeppo, Finland. At the core of company business is sustainability. Not only does Mirka put great effort into ensuring that its products are of high quality, but also that its production has as little impact on the environment as possible.
The company’s mission, ‘Our ambition is to give people the opportunity to perform better’, is highlighted by its commitment to continuous improvement, including a number of innovations such as in 2000, the invention of Abranet®, the world’s first net abrasive which heralded dust-free sanding, and in 2013, the award-winning Mirka® DEROS sander, Mirka has to be regarded as a pioneer in our industry.
Regarding the new tools, the new DEROS II (DEROS standing for Direct Electric Random Orbital Sander) has a number of improvements over the first version, but is thankfully blessed with the same assured handling and performance of the original. First of all, the brushless motor has increased from 350W to 400W, which adds to the smooth, controlled performance of the tool, and this also helps improve stability in the hand, lowering the vibration readings.
There is also a new LED display, which provides the user with an easy, clear reference. With an existing choice of ø125/150mm pads, DEROS II 5650CV is a premium product and, for many, the most natural sander design in the hand. Its compact size, symmetrical design and supreme ergonomics elevate this tool above the norm. Standard features, including the soft start and the variable power band, ensure the tool is controlled in use and intuitive under load.
Those looking for something with a wider capacity will appreciate the new Mirka® DEROS 750CV with a ø175mm pad, which will be great for faster stock removal, especially on larger flat surfaces. The upgraded DEROS II now also comes with improved Bluetooth connectivity and a two-plus-one-year warranty, the updated DEROS II is a compelling option.
The sibling Mirka® DEOS sander with its rectangular and delta pad formats also benefits from the new upgrades of a 400W motor, the LED display, improved Bluetooth connectivity and lower HAV readings.
For joiners, carpenters, flooring and wall-panelling installers and those working on large flat surfaces requiring plenty of stock removal, the new Mirka® DEROS RS 600 sander will undoubtedly be of interest. Weighing in at 1.8kg with a powerful 750W brushless motor, the RS is impressively quiet in use at just 61dB – and that’s in either what Mirka describes as the Standard or Ramp-Up modes.
Whilst being easy to use, this is a powerful, heavy-duty sander, that undoubtedly has an appetite for stripping back stock safely and quickly and readily copes with all manner of surfaces, including solid surface, wood, metal and painted surfaces.
Another key introduction from Mirka, alongside the new and upgraded sanders, is an intrinsic and critical element of Mirka’s clean, dust-free sanding solution, that being the all-important dust extractor. Mirka’s new dust extractor – the Mirka® DEXOS – is a completely new design which follows the Mirka DNA of being compact and ergonomic but adds a new level of user-friendliness.
Designed from the ground up to be part of Mirka’s next generation of power tools, the Mirka® DEXOS 1217 M AFC dust extractor features numerous clever touches to make sanding easier and more efficient for the operator.
Whilst the new extractor is a design departure from its forebear, the new design delivers advantages to improve practicalities in a number of ways. From the top of the unit, the cable, hose and sleeve, which used to wrap around the body, can now neatly be stored inside the top of the lid – which also makes for the perfect tea break perch! Additional usability benefits come in the form of a second socket, to have another tool plugged in, or as a battery or phone charger, for instance. When used with two tools plugged in, the autostart functionality will kick in on both.
A usefully updated brushless electric motor makes the DEXOS quietly impressive, delivering increased efficiency whilst requiring less energy and having a longer life cycle. This M class dust extractor also boasts a simplified method when having to change the dust bag and has easy-to-replace filters to boot.
In terms of handling, the DEXOS tips the scales at 13kg and is easy to move around with sturdy rear wheels and rubber tyres. On the rear of the unit, it also has a new, user-friendly foot-operated brake pedal.
Mirka has clearly been busy of late, informed and empowered by the feedback it generates from its customers, this innovation-forward stance is serving the company well. And what’s more, there are further upgrades and introductions promised for 2025.
With developments to the DEROS II and DEOS II sanders, Mirka has delivered stronger performance and practical upgrades to what were already excellent tools. Alongside which, the introduction of the highly capable DEROS RS rotary sander will deliver the required punch and consistency for those needing a more aggressive stock removal tool.
Capping it all off, the brand new DEXOS with clear design and usability improvements – doubtless informed by its customer base – represents a step change in dust extractor usability, which will be roundly welcomed by fans of the yellow and black tools.
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