How to Pick the Right Sander for Your Home Projects

When looking to undertake some basic DIY at home, you’ll often come up against a task where you’ll need a sander to complete the project. Most sanders on the market can be used for a host of sanding jobs and often produce roughly the same results. However, different sanders are built for different tasks so it’s always a wise idea to know what sanders can produce the best finishes. Here are some of the sanders available and their different uses.

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Orbital Sanders

Orbital sanders are the most basic power sanders available. In most cases, contractors and domestic users take advantage of orbital sanders for intricate sanding tasks. They’re perfect for smaller sanding jobs that require a decent finish because they don’t take too much material off the project in one turn. Instead, they rotate the sandpaper slightly so it can provide a better finish. The main problem with these sanders is that they can leave circular scratches on the finished product if users don’t sand with the grain in mind. Orbital sanders are primarily used for door frames, door panels, chairs and other small wooden objects that the larger sanders can’t undertake.

Random Orbital Sanders

Random orbital sanders are much like orbital sanders except these sanders do rotate the sandpaper which, in turn, provides a much more aggressive sanding experience. Such sanders are used for rough sanding work, but they’re also good products for finishing because they leave fewer scratches on the work. Again, these sanders are good for smaller woodworking jobs that require a much more aggressive approach, such as restoring old wooden furniture like tables and chairs.

Belt Sanders

Belt sanders are some of the most popular types of sanders out there because they can remove material at a quicker rate. Such sanders need to be used with the grain of the wood as they are aggressive and can ruin projects if they’re not used sympathetically. The other disadvantage of using a belt sander is that they can’t sand into corners because of their size and shape. Usually, belt sanders are used for larger surfaces like tables and hardwood flooring.

Bench Sanders

If you’re looking for a sanding machine that you’re going to use regularly for carpentry work at home, it might be worth looking at a bench sander for your needs. These sanders are bench mounted which makes them sturdier. They offer different sanding solutions much like the above ones mentioned previously. They make sanding much more efficient and are excellent tools for sanding smaller wooden objects that need a flush finish. For example, if you need to sand individual staircase rail poles, it’s easier to take them to the working bench sander for a finer finish.

Of course, your requirements will determine the sander you choose for work. If you’re not going to use the sander regularly then it might be worth considering an orbital sander because they are affordable. However, if you’re looking to sand larger surfaces, a belt sander would be the way forward.

Written by johnny