Sanders is important tools for any workshop. Sanders transform rough lumber into smooth surface. Sanders are a great tool for restoring old furniture that has been unearthed from the scrap heaps.
Sanders are also very helpful for removing paint from a piece of furniture, saving hours of manual sanding. However, tool aisles can be overwhelming for even the most seasoned woodworker. Within the tool aisles, woodworkers will find belt sanders, orbital sanders, random orbit sanders, detail sanders, drum sanders, and spindle sanders.
Each tool spin in a slightly different manner and will perform best for a specific task. If a woodworker purchases the wrong type of sander, they will waste both there money and time. By understanding the different type of sanders, woodworkers can make sure that they have the right tool for the job.
This knowledge will help them to purchase the correct tool for their home workshop. The differences between sanders include the type of motion that they make, the aggressiveness of the sanding process, and the size of the footprint that they make on the workpiece.
Common Types of Sanders for Your Workshop
1. Belt Sanders
Belt sanders are used for most demanding projects in the workshop.
A belt sander consist of a continuous belt of sandpaper that is stretched across two drums. One of the two drums is a powered drum while the other is an idler. Woodworkers hold the tool in the same manner as a vacuum cleaner and push the tool forward.
The design of a belt sander make this tool perfect for flattening doors and tabletops and removing layers of old finishes quickly. However, the rapid speed at which a belt sander can remove wood can be dangerous for inexperienced woodworker who do not understand how to control the tool properly. Professionals in the workshop will use belt sanders but will also use gentle tools after the heavy sanding of their project.
2. Random Orbit Sanders
Random orbit sanders are used for most workshop task. A random orbit sander features a sanding disc that rotates in one direction while the base of the tool move in small circles in the opposite direction. Because the sandpaper does not carve the same groove in the workpiece, these tool will leave the workpiece with no visible marks.
These sanders are found in every cabinet shop and are perfect for most workshop tasks. The pad of a random orbit sander can be quickly replaced with a new sheet of sandpaper. Most random orbit sanders also have excellent dust collection on their sander.
These sanders have a comfortable design for woodworker to use while working on a project over long periods of time. If a woodworker owns only one sander in their workshop, they should of have a random orbit sander to tackle most projects.
3. Orbital Sanders
Orbital sanders feature a flat pad of sandpaper that vibrate without any rotation.
Because of the non-rotational nature of the sandpaper pad, orbital sanders are perfect for beginners who dont want to risk cutting the veneer on their workpiece. Orbital sanders are perfect for smoothing the last few inches of a project before staining or painting it. Because orbital sanders do not move as quickly than random orbit sanders, they do not remove much material from a project.
However, they provide a smooth surface when sanding wood. Orbital sanders can be large or small in size. Woodworkers who work with large boards may not want to invest in orbital sanders but may require a quarter sheet of orbital sandpaper for smoother sanding on tight corner and edges.
4. Detail Sanders
Detail sanders feature pads that are the shape of a triangle or a teardrop. These pads allow the sander to reach into the tightest corners of a project. Most detail sanders feature the same orbital motion as other sanders but in miniature size.
The downside of detail sanders is that they move slowly over the workpiece because of the small size of their sanding pad. Detail sanders may not be used for the initial sanding of a workpiece but could assist in sanding intricate wooden item like an antique secretary desk.
5. Drum Sanders
Drum sanders come in two sizes.
A floor-standing drum sander is the same as a thickness planer with a large rotating sanding drum. A floor-standing drum sander will evenly thicken the thickness of a board. A handheld drum sander will accept an oscillating spindle that moves up and down while the sanders spindle rotates.
A benchtop sander of this type will smooth the inside of a cabriole leg or a decorative wooden bracket. Both types of drum sanders will produce a significant amount of sawdust while operating. A sawdust collection system is required for the workshop in which these tool are purchased.
6. Disc Sanders
Disc sanders sit between the belt sander and the stationary wood grinder. A disc sander will have a flat metal table on one side and a sanding disc that rotates on the opposite side. They are primarily used for edge sanding and can perform the same function as a miter saw.
The rotation of the disc may only allow the sander to remove the wood on one side of the sander’s table. Depending on the project, a woodworker can train themself to use the right side of the sander. Disc sanders are helpful for small project.
7. Palm Sanders
Palm sanders are a compact tool that can be operated in one hand. They are typically very light in weight. Woodworkers can use this sander to sand overhead workpieces that are out of reach of their arm.
Most palm sanders will feature a third or quarter sheet of sandpaper. The vibration of this tool is the same as orbital sanders. Because palm sanders do not feature a random orbit feature, the sandpaper may leave faint marks on the project.
However, the portability of this sander make it a valuable workshop tool. If woodworkers purchase only one power tool, they should have a palm sander to sand crown molding in place.
8. Finishing Sanders
Finishing sanders are used at the very last step of sanding a project.
Finishing sanders use the lightest grits of sandpaper. Woodworkers may purchase a finishing sander that comes with 220 grit sandpaper or finer so that they do not introduce coarse sanding into their project. Finishing sanders may be orbital or a random orbit sander.
Because of the low speed of these sanders, they are used to polish the final project to get it sheen without damaging the wood. Finishing sanders are essential when woodworkers must polish cherry wood tabletops to get the sheen they want before adding wood oil to seal the project.
Sanders may each solve a specific problem in the workshop. However, they are unable to perform all tasks equally well. For instance, a belt sander may work quickly to flatten a tabletop but may damage an inlay design on the object. Random orbit sanders can do 90 percent of the projects in a workshop but will not have the reach to sand the flute design on a decorative column.
A detail sander may reach into that flute but would require all afternoon to sand a dining table to the desired finish. Woodworkers will be best served by owning three or four sanders as opposed to purchasing a dozen different sanders in the hopes that one of them can do all of the workshop’s tasks. By understanding the type of projects that a woodworker will complete, they can purchase the right tool.
Weekend woodworkers who only complete a few projects every few weeks may find themselves with only a random orbit sander and a detail sander in their workshop. However, more dedicated woodworkers may require a belt sander to remove the excess wood from their project, a drum sander to even thicken the thickness of their wood and a finishing sander for the last touch to their project. These tools will pay for themselves in the workshop.
If woodworkers find themselves standing in the tool aisle with a pile of sandpaper in their hand, they may benefit from a few questions. Would their project require the removal of much material from the workpiece? Is the workpiece to be planed and flattened or does it contain curve?
How smooth does the workpiece need to be? By answering these three questions, woodworkers will find the ideal sander for their project. By purchasing the right mix of sanders for their workshop, woodworkers will produce workpieces that they are proud to sign.
