Best Sanders

A sander is one of the must-have power tools for a woodworker who often sands rough edges and surfaces for a smoother finish. A sander can either be handheld or fixed to a workbench for optimum convenience. Below is a list of some of the best options.

Benchtop Belt Sander

When a woodworker needs a dedicated sander that can remove a handful of materials on a lumber at a go, a benchtop belt sander should come in mind. Fixed on a benchtop as the name suggests, the sander is a fit for any woodworker doing edge sanding, surface sanding, sanding cabinet doors, or stripping paint, knife making, etc.

It is a bigger and more powerful tool making it a popular choice for large industrial and woodworking projects.

Our editor’s choice for the best benchtop belt sander is the WEN 6523 Oscillating Belt & Spindle.... The pneumatic tool has a 3.5 Amp motor that runs the belt at 1,575 RPM and has a spindle speed of 2,000 RPM. The sander also offers 58 oscillations per minute, onboard storage, spindle and belt options, and a range of drum sizes.

>>> See our list of the best benchtop belt sanders here

Cordless Orbital Sander

The orbital sander is a handheld power tool used for sanding materials in a random orbit action. It is a compact power tool, and with a choice of a cordless one, portability will never be an issue on and off-site. It is also designed for one-hand handling.

The orbital sander is designed for extra fine sanding work like the rounding of sharp edges and removing putty.

Our editor’s choice for the best cordless orbital sander is the Makita XOB01Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion.... Its features include a three-speed setting, dust-proof switch, quick-change 5-inch hole, and:

• Pad size: 5 inches
• Abrasive disk size: 5 inches
• Round abrasive disk.
• Disk grit: 120
• Orbit diameter: 1/8 inches
• Orbits per minute: 7,000/9,500/11,000

>>> See our list of the best cordless orbital sanders here

Electric Sander for Drywall

If you are looking for a finer wall, then an electric sander for drywall may be your tool. It is intended for use to knock out holes in a drywall, rogue concrete balls, or hard raisings. Since such tasks may be the most tedious, the electric sander for drywall comes to the rescue.

With the sander, you can reach the right depth flush thanks to its handle’s length and design. Thanks to the sander and its ergonomic design, fatigue will also be a thing of the past.

Our editor’s pick for the best electric sander for drywall goes to the WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall.... The power tool has an 8.5-inch pad, 1,500 – 2,300 rotations per minute, and a vacuum hose. It is also fitted with a loop-based pad system.

>>> See our list of the best electric sanders for drywall here

Sander for Deck

After power washing your deck and before you can stain and seal it, you may want to sand it. This is a crucial step if you need the most conclusive staining for your deck. It is easier though if you have a sander for a deck with yourself.

Sanders for decks come in different varieties, each with specific features distinguishing it from the other. However, if you know how to use a belt sander on a deck, you can use either depending on the application and achieve your desired results.

The editor’s choice for the best sander for a deck is the Makita BO5041K 5" Random Orbit Sander. The tool has among them the following features:

• 3 amperes
• 4-15/16-inch pad
• 5-inch abrasive disk size
• 4,000 – 12,000 orbits per minute.

The sander is electric-powered and offers fast and smooth sanding. It also features a pad brake, high capacity dust collection system, and two-finger trigger switch.

>>> See our list of the best sanders for deck here

Sander for Removing Paint

Removing old, stubborn paint can be a daunting task, especially because it tends to sit comfortably and annoyingly on a workpiece. It will be draining if you do not have a mechanized tool to deal with it. With a sander for removing paint though, it may be easier and faster.

Such a sander is designed for getting to the most stubborn paint. Whether it is new paint or a stain left after removing the cover, it can be your best shot.

Our editor’s choice for the best sander for removing paint is the BOSCH 3727DEVS 3.3 Amp 6-Inch.... The 3.3 amperes motor runs the disk at a random orbit of between 4,500 – 12,000 orbits per minute. The tool is also fitted with a dust collection system, hook-and-loop braking pad, and a 6-inch disk.

>>> See our list of the best sanders for removing paint here

Sander for Refinishing Furniture

With the invention of chalk paint, refinishing furniture has seen different forms of doing it emerge. However, none of the methods can beat the efficiency of a sander for refinishing furniture. Whether you painted it with chalk or not, giving it, a finer look will need a sander.

A sander that can get through hidden corners and hard-to-reach spots on furniture would be your best shot. It would also be ideal for home and commercial furniture before you stain or paint them.

Our editor’s choice for the best sander for refinishing furniture is the Makita BO5041K 5" Random Orbit Sander. The tool has a 3 amperes motor that runs it at a minimum of 4,000 and a maximum of 12,000 orbits per minute. It also features a large two-finger trigger switch, variable speed control, and a high capacity dust collection system.

>>> See our list of the best sanders for refinishing furniture here

Things to Know When Buying a Sander

Getting the right tool is crucial to getting the job done well. The same applies to get the right sander with the following among the things to know before you commit to buying one:

Your Needs

Every sander is bought for a particular use. Understanding your needs, therefore, will help you to choose the right tool.

Machine Type

​Knowing your needs is not enough while you are yet to know the machine type that you want. Sanders come in different sizes, shapes, configurations, duty cycles, width, and budgets. It is imperative that you decide about these qualities beforehand based on needs.

Head Type

​Sanding machines come with different head types, including wide belt, brush, orbital, and knife/plane. Depending on the workpiece you have, you should be able to choose from a variety of them.

Abrasives

​The disk is the common denominator in a sander. For each specific abrasive quality that you choose, the performance may be different, and the right decision is your only way out.

A sander is a power tool used for getting a finer finish on a variety of materials. They come in different varieties, types, models, and designs all made for specific applications. It is your exact task that determines what sander you will go for, among other considerations, as explained in this article.