Find out how to pick out the right tool for your project .
understand the dissimilar types of power sanders and their uses is valuable selective information for any journeyman , from aspiring DIYers to professional woodworker . Whether you ’re refinishing furniture , restore gaffer , or repaint your kitchen cabinets , knowing the types of power Mrs. Henry Wood smoother will help you decide which smoother is good for your project . This guide will lay out the most ordinarily used power drum sander and excuse their U.S.A. , cost , and what youshouldn’tuse them for .
Getty Images / Makalish
Credit:Getty Images/Makalish
Choosing the Right Sandpaper
As important as choosing the correct sander for the job is knowing how to opt the right sandpaper . Each electric sander on the list below apply a specific type of paper and will not mold properly with the untimely case . When buy sandpaper , make up attention to the character of sander it fit as well as the sizing .
Choosing Sandpaper Grits
Once you find the right sandpaper for your sander , you must decidewhich sandpaper gritrock to use . A emery paper ’s grit measures how common or fine the emery paper is based on a turn rating . The higher the number , the finer the sandpaper is . This is significant , as coarser sandpaper cuts more sharply and leaves extremely visible sand marks , while fine emery paper cuts less aggressively and entrust less seeable sandpaper mark .
Here are a few common sandpaper grit :
To employ sandpaper grits effectively , we urge progressing through at least three grit before finish your undertaking . Each moxie progression will shine the sand mark left by the former moxie . While each projection calls for a different starting sand , 120 - guts emery paper is good for universal sanding . From there , you’re able to resolve to go low or high .
Credit:Carson Downing
Just because a sandpaper gritstone is the same , does n’t mean it will shorten the same from electric sander to sander . For instance , 120 - grit sandpaper will shorten far more sharply on a knock sander than it will on a random - orbit sander .
Random-Orbit Sander
Carson Downing
well for : Wood finishing , metal sanding , and world-wide sanding
Cost:$30 to $ 150
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Random - orbit sanders are arguably the most pop case of electric sander . In fact , if you ’ve done any DIY project , you in all likelihood already own arandom - orbit smoother . They get their name from their motion , as the sand surface has an intentionally random cause . This is to aid prevent visible sanding mark , which is of big economic value when sanding in preparation for finishing wood . This absolvitory nature makes random - orbit sanders perfect for tyro who may not have proper sanding techniques down just yet . However , when using aggressive grit like 40 and 80 , random - range sander can easy pass on grooves on wood surfaces if not operate on perfectly flat on the study surface .
1/4-Sheet Orbital Sander
Jason Donnelly
advantageously for : Mrs. Henry Wood finishing , world-wide sanding
1/4 - shroud orbital sanders look a lot like a random - celestial orbit smoother , but the main difference lie in the sandpaper surface itself . Rather than a circular sanding inking pad , 1/4 - sheet sanders fit a square sheet of composition . The cast and the name " 1/4 - sheet " come from the fact that these electric sander are project to use 1/4 of a standard 9x11 sheet of emery paper . The other difference is in the motion of the brain , which ditch the " random " aspect of the random - orbit sander , just moving in a tight orbital shakiness . This means 1/4 - sheet orbital sanders are more potential to leave sanding stain , specially when operated against the wood ’s cereal . Because of its one - handed cognitive process , many multitude just call a 1/4 - sail drum sander a medallion drum sander .
Credit:Carson Downing
1/2-Sheet Orbital Sander
Cost:$50 to $ 400
You approximate it — a 1/2 - sheet orbital sander is the 1/4 - shroud orbital smoother ’s large brother . Designed to use half of a standard 9x11 sheet of sandpaper , the 1/2 - sheet orbital electric sander is a much larger dick to operate , and ca n’t comfortably be used with one hand . Its larger sizing stand for you’re able to cover a hatful of ground , but it makes it very difficult to sandpaper smaller areas and elaborate employment .
Belt Sander
Best for : Stripping cultivation , remove cloth , and reshaping wood
Cost:$40 to $ 350
Rather than their movement , belt sandersget their name from the type of sandpaper they employ , which come in the form of a whack . The belt drop away over two rollers and moves in a continuous rotation . This constant one - directional movement admit the belt sander to quickly eat through rough wood or unregenerate old goal . However , its aggressive sanding nature get it a piteous option for final sanding and finish employment .
Credit:Jason Donnelly
When using a knock sander , you could denigrate the amount of seeable sanding marks by maintain the whack parallel with the grain of the wood .
Oscillating Multitool
well for : Tight spots , corners , little objects
Cost:$30 to $ 160
While not strictly a sander , oscillating multitools boast an optional sanding attachment alongside several other attachments . Hence the name " multitool . " Oscillating multitools earned their billet on this sander - specific list because the sanding head is implausibly useful and can go place many other smoother simply ca n’t fit . The compact , triangular design of the sandpaper head allows it to touch into tight street corner with ease , sanding surfaces that have long been leave behind to pass sanding . However , the small head create these sanders less effective for sanding great flat surface .
Which Type of Sander to Buy First
An avid do - it - yourselfer will finally find a use for every sander on this list . So , how do you decide which sander to buy first ? We recommend you purchase a random - orbit electric sander as your first index drum sander . Random - electron orbit sanders can manage near any DIY task . Sure , they wo n’t smooth gnarled wood as quickly as a belt sander or grit details like an oscillating multitool , but they can do just about anything when paired with the right emery paper grit .
