A few years back, Ridgid released a line of SubCompact tools that really impressed our team due to their smaller size and excellent performance level. Expanding the lineup into woodworking, we first got our hands on the 18V SubCompact 5-inch Orbital Sander. Now, we’re getting our hands on the Ridgid 18V SubCompact 1/4-Sheet Sander (R87064). I learned a few things in my testing that set this sander apart from the pack and can help you decide if it’s the best model for you.
Ridgid SubCompact 1/4-Sheet Sander Performance
- Speed: 7,000 – 12,000 OPM
- Orbit Diameter: 1/16 in.
- Sander Style: 1/4-sheet
Material Removal
The Ridgid R87064 is powered by a 6-speed brushless motor and churns out between 7,000 and 12,000 OPM with an orbit diameter of 1/16 inches. This sander features the same orbit diameter as its Octane predecessor, but Ridgid dialed back the OPMs from 14,000 to a max of 12,000.
Regardless of the drop in speed, this sander performed exactly as I expected. It efficiently removed layers of heavy pencil markings from our test board in a matter of minutes. To kick it up a notch, I made some new markings with a red felt pen that would give me some deeper benchmarks to test.
Just as before, the R87064 quickly removed the majority of my markings in just a few minutes of sanding. There were still some areas where the marker had penetrated a little deeper into the wood, but I could have removed them if I worked at it for a few more minutes.
More importantly, it showed me that this is an efficient sander and is clearly an effective tool for surface prep.
Plus, its low-profile design was comfortable in my hand, and the longer body allowed for multiple hand positions to make working around my material easier and reduce fatigue.
Vibration Level
Overall, Ridgid seems to have dialed in their vibration management system well. Rather, Ridgid claims they’ve reduced the total vibration level by 50%, and from my experience, I believe them.
To test this, I sanded nonstop for around 10 minutes with minimal fatigue. I even passed this sander over to our resident Pro, Tom Gaige, plus anyone else in the shop I could talk into trying it, and everyone was impressed by the minimal vibration.
While I’m sure there are some internal vibration buffers, one external design element that helps mitigate felt vibration is the foam backing pad on the bottom. This pad absorbs some of the vibration as you work, resulting in less fatigue.
Regardless of the mechanics, by swapping your old model for Ridgid’s 18V SubCompact 1/4-sheet Sander, you can say goodbye to vibrating your hands into oblivion.
…by swapping your old model for Ridgid’s 18V SubCompact 1/4-sheet Sander, you can say goodbye to vibrating your hands into oblivion.
Josh McGaffigan, PTR Staff Writer
Heat Management
The one area where this sander does fall a little flat for me is in the area of heat management. As I mentioned before, I ran this sander for about ten minutes to get a feel (or lack thereof) for the vibration level.
During this time, I began to notice the hot air that was being expelled from the motor housing was starting to be a little uncomfortable. I believe the crux of the issue is in the location of the air inlets and vents.
First, the air inlets are located on the top of the pommel grip, and it’s easy to unintentionally block them with your hand, leading to decreased airflow to the motor. Second, the hot air from the motor housing is vented just below the pommel grip on the left and right sides.
To satisfy my curiosity, I grabbed our Bosch GTC400C Thermal Camera and took a reading at the vent. Even on a cold day like today, the vent was hitting just over 112°F after ten minutes of constant use.
Now, there’s some context to consider here. 112° isn’t a temperature that’s going to damage today’s motors or batteries. But it can begin to feel uncomfortable on your bare hands, which is what led me to check the temperature in the first place.
So, pay attention during the summertime heat, and be sure to check that your grip isn’t blocking the vents.
Sandpaper
It’s easiest to use pre-punched sandpaper, but that’s not always what you have on hand, and the pattern might not be the same. Realistically, most of us aren’t looking for that style anyway on this type of sander.
But no worries—Ridgid includes a paper punch with an outline of the pattern, so buy the sandpaper you prefer and punch it yourself.
Installing the sandpaper is pretty simple. Just use the clamp on the front to hold one edge and set the back edge using the wire clamp (the release tab is on the front). If you’re new to this type of sander, they’re conveniently labeled “1” and “2” in case you’re not sure what order to use them.
Ridgid SubCompact 1/4-Sheet Sander Design Notes
- Model: Ridgid R87064
- Power Source: Ridgid 18V battery
- Weight: 2.8 lbs (bare tool), 3.75 lbs (with 2.0Ah Max Output battery)
- Dust Port Diameter: 1-1/4 in. (interior), 1-7/8 in. (exterior)
Size and Weight
The Ridgid R87064 weighs in at 2.8 pounds as a bare tool and 3.75 pounds with the kitted 2.0Ah Max Output battery. The low-profile pommel grip is draped in a generous amount of rubber overmolding and contours nicely to my medium-sized hands.
Dust Collection
To control dust output, you can either hook up a 1 1/4-inch or 1 7/8-inch vacuum hose, or use the dust collection bag that’s included with your tool. From my experience with this type of sander, complete dust collection is pretty tough unless you’re using a dedicated dust extractor.
However, Ridgid’s collection bag still managed to contain the majority of the dust, leaving only a thin layer behind.
Ridgid SubCompact 1/4-Sheet Sander Price
The Ridgid 18V R87064 retails for $139 as a bare tool and $149 as a kit. The kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and a single-port charger. A battery and charger for just $10 more? Yeah, I’ll take that deal.
The box also includes two 80-grit sheets of sandpaper to get you started, and Ridgid backs the tool with their Lifetime Service Agreement.
The Bottom Line
The Ridgid 18V SubCompact 1/4-sheet Sander delivers where it matters most for this class: controlled material removal, impressively low vibration, and a comfortable, job-ready design. While the top-end OPM has been trimmed compared to its predecessor, its real-world performance never felt compromised. It handled surface prep with confidence, stayed comfortable in hand during extended use, and kept fatigue to a minimum thanks to well-managed vibration.
Add in solid dust collection options, practical sandpaper clamping, and a compact, well-balanced build, and the R87064 shapes up as a dependable choice for finish work and general sanding tasks. Just keep an eye on those vents to make sure they’re able to breathe.
For Pros and serious DIYers alike, this is a solid update that focuses on usability and comfort without sacrificing performance while maintaining Ridgid’s focus on high value.
