Grinding by hand has its benefits, but if you don’t have a few hours to kill and you have muscles like The Rock, an electric grinder is the way to go. Whether you’re sanding new wood countertops for your kitchen or building your own shelving, a power sander is indispensable for woodworking because it saves time and delivers a better finish.
The problem is to choose the right grinder for the job. You need to choose between wired and wireless models right away, and each type has its pros and cons. You’ll then need to consider which grinder is best for the job: for example, a detail grinder won’t be good for sanding an entire floor, and most DIY jobs will require more than one type of grinder.
In general, there are six options: belt sanders, eccentric sanders, disc sanders, fine sanders, detail sanders, and universal sanders. Read on and our buying guide and how-to mini-review will help you choose the right tool for the job.
As mentioned above, there are generally four types of grinders. Some are more general and can be used for a variety of jobs, while others are more specialized. The following is a brief overview of the main types and the differences between them.
Belt sander: As the name suggests, this type of sander has a belt that constantly rotates along with the sandpaper. They are powerful enough to easily remove thick layers of paint or shape wood before using finer tools. Don’t underestimate their sanding ability: Belt sanders require skill if you don’t want to accidentally remove large chunks of material.
Random Orbital Sander: If you can only buy one sander, the eccentric sander will be the most versatile. They are usually round, but not completely round, and while they appear to just spin the sanding wheel, they actually move the sanding wheel in unpredictable ways to avoid scratches. Their size and ease of use make them suitable for a variety of sanding tasks.
Disc Sander: A disc grinder is probably what most people think of as a random orbital sander. The main difference is that they rotate with a fixed motion, like the wheels of a car. They usually require two hands and, like belt sanders, they are better suited for heavy duty jobs that require large amounts of material to be removed. Fixed motion means you need to be careful not to leave visible circular marks.
Finish Sander: As you would expect, a finish sander is the piece of equipment you need to put the finishing touches on your work. They come in many shapes and sizes, meaning they are sometimes referred to as palm grinders, which are great for sanding flat surfaces before adding products like oil, wax, and paint.
Detail Sander: In many ways, a detail grinder is a type of finish sander. They are generally triangular in shape with curved sides making them less suitable for large areas. However, they are ideal for precise tasks such as edges or hard to reach places.
Multi-purpose sander: A fifth option that may be ideal for many home DIYers is the multi-purpose sander. These grinders are like interchangeable head sets so you are not limited to one type of sanding. If you’re looking for the most versatile all-in-one solution, then this is the one for you.
Once you’ve decided what type of grinder you want, there are a few things to keep in mind before making your final choice.
Make sure your grinder has the right handle type for you. Some of them can be operated with one hand, while others can be easily operated by two people using the main or secondary handle. The soft rubber handle will help you control the grinder and avoid mistakes.
Sanding creates a lot of dust, so it’s best to look for a grinder with good dust extraction, as not all grinders have this feature. Often this will take the form of a built-in dust chamber, but some may even be attached to the vacuum cleaner’s pipe for better suction.
Many grinders come with a simple switch, but some offer variable speed for more control. Lower speeds ensure that material is not removed too quickly, while full speed is great for fast turning and polishing.
Whether the speed is adjustable or not, the lock switch is great for long jobs so you don’t have to hold down the power button all the time while you’re sanding.
You’ll also want to check the size and type of sandpaper your sander uses. Some allow regular sheets to be cut to size and secured in place, while others must be properly sized and simply attached using Velcro fasteners such as Velcro.
It all depends on how and where you want to use the grinder. First consider if there is an electrical outlet where you are sanding, or if an extension cord can be used. If not, then the battery-powered cordless grinder is the answer.
If there is power, a corded grinder can make life easier in many ways because you don’t have to worry about recharging batteries or replacing them as they wear out. You just have to deal with cables that can get in the way.
Sanders can easily cost under £30, but that can limit you to fine detail sanders or palm sanders. You’ll have to spend more on a more powerful, full-featured version or another type of grinder: grinders can cost anywhere from £50 (cheap casual orbital) to over £250 (professional grade belt sander).
If you are looking for an all-round corded grinder, the Bosch PEX 220 A is a good choice. It’s super easy to use: Velcro lets you change sandpaper in seconds, and a toggle switch allows your fingers to move freely around the device with a soft, curved handle.
With a powerful 220 W motor and a light and compact design, the PEX 220 A is suitable for a wide range of applications. The 125mm disc size means it’s small enough for difficult areas yet large enough to sand larger objects like doors or countertops (flat or curved).
The small but efficient micro-filtered dust bin also helps keep dust to a minimum, although it can be a little hard to squeeze after emptying.
Main characteristics: Weight: 1.2 kg; Maximum speed: 24,000 rpm; Shoe diameter: 125 mm; Track diameter: 2.5mm; Lock switch: Yes; Variable speed: No; Dust collector: Yes; Rated power: 220W
Price: £120 without battery £140 with battery | Buy a grinder on Amazon now to rule them all? The Sandeck WX820 from Worx is a great choice for those who want to have many different sanders without having to buy multiple machines. With a range of interchangeable heads, the WX820 is truly a 5-in-1 sander.
You can purchase fine sanders, orbital sanders, detail sanders, finger sanders and curved sanders. Since the “hyperlock” clamping system provides a clamping force of 1 ton, there is no need to use a hex wrench or other tools to change them. Unlike many grinders, it also comes with a hard case for easy storage and transport.
The WX820 comes with a micro filter dust box and gives you total control with six different speed options. It’s not as powerful as a corded grinder, but thanks to the batteries it can be used anywhere and is interchangeable with other Worx Powershare tools.
Key Features – Weight: 2kg Max Speed: 10,000rpm Pad Diameter: Variable Track Diameter: Up to 2.5mm Switch Lockout: Yes
Price: £39 | Buy now at the Wickes PSM 100 A from Bosch is a great choice for those who need a compact grinder for tedious, hard-to-reach areas or delicate tasks. Like its older brother, the PEX 220 A, this grinder is very easy to learn, making it ideal for beginners – just attach the sanding disc, insert the dust bag, plug in the power cord and you’re ready to go.
Bosch offers a comfortable contoured shape, soft grips and easy-to-use switches. The dust container is small, but you can optionally attach the PSM 100 A to the vacuum cleaner to keep the dust. The triangular pointed shape of the sanding board means you can handle corners and the sanding board can be rotated to prolong its life. Unlike many part sanders, the sanding plate has a second section when more surface area is required.
Main characteristics: weight: 0.9 kg; maximum speed: 26,000 rpm; pad size: 104 cm2; track diameter: 1.4mm; lock switch: yes; adjustable speed: no; dust collector: yes; rated power: 100W.
Price: £56 | Buy now at Powertool World Finish sanders (also known as palm sanders) are a popular choice for a variety of DIY projects, and the BO4556 (nearly identical to BO4555) is a great option that offers simple yet effective tools without spending a lot of money .
As is typical of this class of grinder, the BO4556 is compact, lightweight and runs at a single speed. It’s easy to use thanks to the switch and soft non-slip elastomer grip, and it has an efficient dust bag not found on commercially available fine sanders. Alternatively, you can use regular sandpaper with a simple accessory system.
On the downside, the cable isn’t very long, and if you want to save yourself some trouble, be sure to buy pre-perforated sandpaper, as the perforated sheet that comes with it isn’t very good.
Main characteristics: Weight: 1.1 kg; Maximum speed: 14,000 rpm; Platform size: 112×102 mm; Track diameter: 1.5mm; Blocking switch: Yes; Variable speed: No; Dust collector: Yes; Rated power: 200W.
Price: £89 (excluding batteries) Buy now on Amazon Those looking specifically for a cordless orbital sander won’t be disappointed by the Makita DBO180Z, available with or without a battery and charger. Its cordless design means you don’t need to plug into an outlet, and charges fully in just 36 minutes. You should be able to get about 45 minutes of run time at top speed, and the battery can be replaced quickly if you have a spare.
The design is taller than a corded grinder and you have to consider the weight of the battery which also affects grip, but it is easy to use and offers three different speed settings that give you good control. The top speed of 11,000 rpm (RPM) isn’t particularly high, but the DBO180Z’s large 2.8mm orbital diameter somewhat compensates for this. Dust extraction is above average, the machine is quiet.
Key Features – Weight: 1.7kg, Max Speed: 11,000rpm, Pad Diameter: 125mm, Track Diameter: 2.8mm, Lockout Switch: Yes
Post time: Aug-18-2023