Orbital sanders can transform a weekend project into a meditative experience. When a person feel the vibrations of an orbital sander and sees old paint dissapear in a cloud of fine dust, it is difficult for that person to return to hand sanding. However, when a person enters a hardware store and sees the many choices of orbital sanders available, the person can feel confused by the variety of these tool.
A person can find random orbit sanders, dual action sanders, sheet sanders, and corner cat sanders. Each of these orbital sanders has a different movement of the sandpaper, removes material at a different rate, and leaves a different mark on the wood. By understanding the different varieties of orbital sanders, a person can choose the right tool for the job.
The main differences between orbital sanders include the way that each tool move its sandpaper. Some orbital sanders feature sandpaper that moves in perfect circles. However, other orbital sanders feature sandpaper that features an eccentric orbit that prevents swirl mark from forming on the wood.
Orbital sanders also sacrifice some of their sanding power for precision in specific area. If a person purchases the wrong orbital sander, they may have to spend twice as long finishing a piece of wood or accidentally gouge a piece of delicate molding. The good news is that there are only a few family of orbital sanders that a person should know about.
Different Types Of Orbital Sanders To Use
1. Random Orbit Sanders
By understanding the use of each orbital sander, a person will be able to decide which one to use on a project. Random orbit sanders are a tool that many woodworkers choose to purchase. The sandpaper pad on a random orbit sander rotates in a tight circle while the pad simultaneously perform an orbital motion.
This dual motion of the sanding pad is what gives this tool its name and the reason behind its effectiveness. Because of the randomness of the orbital sander’s movement, a person will not see the circular marks that were common with older sanders. A person can start with 80 grit sandpaper and finish with 220 grit sandpaper without having to change the orbital sander.
The sandpaper on an orbital sander can be changed with a hook-and-loop attachment in ten seconds. Many random orbit sanders include a dust port that allows for the connection to a shop vacuum to keep the air in the shop breathable and the work area visible. This tool is the one that most woodworkers should own because it can be used on projects as varied as oak cabinets and pine shelves.
The trade-off with random orbit sanders is that they take more effort to remove large amount of wood. Because the sandpaper of a random orbit sander only moves in a circle, some of the energy required to remove wood is lost. A person will have to work harder with a random orbit sander to remove thick coats of varnish.
However, the time that a person save with a random orbit sander will be more than the time lost to the extra effort required to operate the tool. Professionals use random orbit sanders because they will always produce the same result with any number of woodworkers operating the tool. A random orbit sander does not require much skill from the person who is sanding the wood.
2. Sheet Sanders
Sheet sanders are a tool that is also known as finish sanders or orbital pad sanders. The sanding pad of a sheet sander move in a tight orbital motion. Sheet sanders do not have the random motion that an orbital sander features.
Sheets of sandpaper can be placed in a sheet sander and cut with a pair of tin snips to the length and width needed for a project. Sheet sanders are cheaper in the long term because a shop will buy fewer sheets of sandpaper over time. The orbital motion that a sheet sander features produces a uniform pattern of wood scrapings that is perfect for smoothing wood before applying stain.
The square shape of the sandpaper on a sheet sander allows the tool to sand up to the edge of a piece of wood without having to remove the sheet sander from the project. This feature is helpful when sanding the face frame of a built-in bookcase or the edge of a shelf that needs to be even with another shelf. A downside of sheet sanders is that the tool will take more time to sand an area than an orbital sander.
Sheet sanders will not remove wood as quickly because of the shape of the sanding pad. Swirl marks can also be produced if a person sands one spot too long with the sheet sander. Most carpenters who work with wood finish coats will purchase a sheet sander and use it only for the final two grit sandpapers in their projects.
These professionals will sacrifice some of the sanding speed to have the even sanding finish that is required for quality work. In addition, if the projects that a person work on include restoring delicate furniture pieces, the sheet sander will be the tool of choice for a woodworker.
3. Detail Sanders
Detail sanders are used for sanding in tight spots that a larger orbital sander could not reach. These tools are also known as corner cats or mouse sanders. A detail sander has a triangular or teardrop pad that vibrates in a tight orbit. The detail sander will be used to sand the crevices between spindles on a door or the inside corners of a raised panel door.
Most detail sanders will weigh less than three pounds to allow a person to sand with only one hand while holding the piece of wood with the other. The detail sander also has a flexible finger attachment that allows for sanding on narrow moldings. A downside to using a detail sander is that a piece of wood will take longer to sand with a detail sander.
Because the pad size is smaller on a detail sander, wood will take longer to sand with this tool instead of a full-size orbital sander. A person will not want to use a detail sander on a project like sanding a dining table. However, when only specific spots needs to be sanded, this tool will prove helpful in a workshop.
Some woodworkers purchase a detail sander that has different insert that allow it to be used for sanding, removing material, and polishing wood without having to purchase a different tool for each purpose. The dust collection on detail sanders is not as great as orbital sanders, but the smaller work area is manageable. A person who works on projects involving trim work or antique wood restoration will find this tool of great value in their workshop.
4. Pneumatic Orbital Sanders
Pneumatic orbital sanders work with the shop air to power the sanding tool. These tools do not use an electric motor like orbital sanders do. Pneumatic orbital sanders are of great value in body shops and in production wood and cabinet shops.
Because the pneumatic orbital sander use air power instead of an electric motor, the sander will weigh half the weight of an orbital sander. An air-powered orbital sander can work all day without overheating like an orbital sander. The speed of the pneumatic orbital sander can be controlled by a trigger that gives the user an instant response when the trigger is activated.
Since there is no electric motor, there is no risk of sparks that could ignite the wood finishes that are flammable. A person will need a compressor to power the pneumatic orbital sander. Using a compressor for the orbital sander will add to the cost and noise of the workshop.
A person will have to purchase a hose to connect the pneumatic tool to the compressor. However, professionals who use pneumatic nail guns and spray guns will purchase a pneumatic orbital sander to add to their tool collection. The lighter weight of this tool will allow a person to sand large pieces of wood for longer periods without getting tired.
If the workshop already has the compressed air system in place, it is worthwhile to consider purchasing pneumatic orbital sanders for the workshop.
5. Variable Speed Orbital Sanders
Variable-speed orbital sanders allow a person to control the speed of the sandpaper. The speed of a sandpaper pad is important because too-fast a speed will burn delicate veneers.
However, thick wood coatings will require the orbital sander to move at high speeds. Most models with variable speeds of orbital sanders allow a person to control the speed from 12,000 orbits per minute to 4,000 orbits per minute. Many of these orbital sanders will maintain the same velocity in the middle of a project.
The extra circuitry that allows for these controls makes these orbital sanders slightly heavier and more costly to purchase. However, a variable-speed orbital sander will save a person the time and effort of sanding a piece of curly maple wood without burning the veneer.
6. Battery Powered Orbital Sanders
Battery-powered orbital sanders have improved in recent years. Most battery-powered orbital sanders will last long enough to complete most home projects. A person will be able to move freely throughout the workshop with a cordless orbital sander. The torque of the motor on most battery-powered orbital sanders is on par with orbital sanders that are corded to an electrical source.
However, the largest orbital sanders will always be corded due to the long work periods required to sand large elements of wood. The collection of dust with a cordless orbital sander will not be as great as with a corded orbital sander. However, the freedom to move without a cord will be worth the small sacrifice.
Each of these orbital sanders has a specific use. The best woodworkers will own at least three varieties of orbital sanders. A random orbit sander will be the most commonly used orbital sander in the workshop.
Sheet sanders will be used for finishing work on flat pieces of wood. Detail sanders will be used in specific spots in a project that are not easily seen from most angles. Over time, a person will develop an instinct for which orbital sander will solve a problem the fastest and with the least likelihood of causing damage.
This instinct will separate weekend woodworkers from those who make a living as craftsmen with fine skill. The next time a person becomes frustrated with a project, taking a few minutes to decide which orbital sander to use will save time. A person will have to assess the project to determine whether it requires a fast cutting orbital sander, an orbital sander with a flawless edge, or one with a very smooth finish in a tight radius.
The answer to this question will point to one orbital sander in the workshop. When the right orbital sander is used for a project, the act of completing the project will no longer seem like a chore but a rhythm that inspire people to return to their workshops again and again.
