Sanders Buyers Guide

Sanding large areas by hand - such as doors or walls - is a tedious job, so it's not surprising that the electric sander is a commonly-owned and used power tool.
There are several different types available, but unless you're a keen woodworker or active diy'er, you shouldn't need more than one. Multi-sanders offer a good compromise, using attachments to give three or four sanding options. Have a look at our buyers' guides for tips and advice on choosing the right sander for your needs.

The most common types of sanders on the market are:

- Orbital sanders - available in three sizes, all of which relate to a standard sheet (230x280mm)of abrasive paper: ¼ sheet, or palm size; 1/3 sheet, the most popular for home use; and ½ sheet.
- Random orbit or eccentric sanders - becoming more popular, these feature a circular sanding disc and are good for a wide range of tasks from sanding to polishing.
- Belt sanders - good for fast removal of stock on larger areas, these tools feature a sanding belt driven around two rollers.
- Detail sanders - variations on the orbital sander with shaped soleplates for awkward corners or mouldings.
- Multi-sanders - variations on orbital sanders with interchangeable bases to allow you to tackle more tasks with the one sander.

- Motor size - the bigger the motor (in Watts) the more powerful the tool.
- Belt or sheet size - the bigger the sanding sheet, disc or belt, the faster the tool will cope with bigger jobs.
- Suitability - make sure you buy the right sort of sander for the job - some are better as all-rounders than others (see below)
- Replacement costs - you can make your own sanding sheets for orbital sanders, but check out the cost of replacements for other types; they can be expensive.

Look at our sections on orbital sanders, random orbit or eccentric sanders, belt sanders and detail sanders for more details on each type;

Orbital sanders are often confused with circular sanders but are quite different. The latter refers to the simple circular pad that can be attached to a drill or grinder; on an orbital sander the flat, rectangular soleplate vibrates so that any point on the plate is actually moving in a series of tiny circles or orbits.
Variable speed units make for more efficient sanding - slower for coarse sanding where the finish isn't too important, faster for fine sanding and a good surface finish.
Abrasive sheets are attached to the soleplate with clamps at either end of the tool, or some may use Velcro or special self-adhesive sheets.

Uses
The tools are good for smoothing without scratching the surface when used with fine grade abrasive. When used with coarse grades they can remove paint, but not so efficiently as a belt sander. The flat plate makes them best for large flat surfaces - walls, doors, window sills, skirting boards, etc; they can be used on curved surfaces but, again, other types are better.

Cost
Basic 1/3 sheet orbital sanders will have a motor of around 130-140W and a single speed of around 11,000 rpm giving 22,000 orbits per minute. This type can be bought for under £10. A better quality unit with a 150W motor costs from around £26 and will be capable of producing a better finish thanks to its higher speed of 26,000 orbits per minute. Palm sanders are convenient and easy to handle, but cost more than a 1/3 sheet unit. Half sheet sanders will sand a bigger area faster, but are of more use to the professional.

Random orbit sanders combine the speed and effectiveness of a circular sander with the anti-scratch characteristics of an orbital sander. They feature a circular disc of 125 or 150mm in diameter that rotates in an eccentric circular pattern - the effect is that the abrasive grit never passes over the same point twice. All have variable speed, usually adjusted simply by the amount the trigger is squeezed and can be varied between around 12,000 to 21,000 orbits per minute. Abrasive is attached with Velcro; this means you have to buy purpose made sanding discs or sheets, which are more expensive than plain sheets of abrasive paper. A removable side handle is usually included to aid control. Motor size is between 150-180W.

Uses
They're good for both fast stock removal and fine finishing, either on flat or uneven surfaces - such as car bodywork, for instance. Some eccentric sanders come with detail sanding attachments, which convert them to orbital or contour sanders with sanding pads shaped for corners or curved mouldings such as dado rails.

Cost
Expect to pay around £60 for a random orbit sander, £58 for a three-in-one multi sander and £74 for a four-in-one model.

Belt sanders are available in three sizes of belt width - 60, 75 and 100mm - and are capable of removing material quickly. A special frame is available as an accessory for some models which prevents the belt digging in too far on flat surfaces. The cloth backed sanding belts are long lasting but can be quite expensive to replace. Power files are belt sanders with narrow belts to allow use in inaccessible places. Larger units can be heavy, due to the larger motor and robust construction, making them uncomfortable to use for long periods on non-horizontal surfaces.

Uses
Belt sanders can be used to shape wood, or, when clamped to workbench, for grinding and sharpening. They are not so good for fine finishing and need careful handling to avoid creating grooves in the surface of the work. Some come with a baseplate which makes them good for levelling flat surfaces.

Cost
Prices start at around £60-£70 for a 600W single speed model to £80 for a larger-belted unit with variable speed.

Detail sanders are orbital sanders with a small, triangular soleplate. Sanding pads are attached with Velcro.

Uses
They are designed to get into corners, mouldings and other areas hard to reach with a standard sander. Detail sanders have a narrow body to aid access in tight spaces.

Cost
Prices range from around £13 to £57, depending on the size of the sanding plate and the power of the motor.

All sanders come with some method of allowing dust to be collected or extracted from the workpiece. Wearing a dust mask to protect your lungs is sensible, even when the sander is fitted with dust extraction.

- Belt sanders use the suction from the motor fan to draw dust into a dust bag that fits on the side of the tool.
- Orbital, eccentric and detail sanders can be connected directly to a vacuum cleaner via a connector at the back of the tool; however in order for this to work correctly the tool must be fitted with perforated abrasive sheets so that the dust can be drawn through holes in the soleplate and out through the extraction duct. Some sanders come with a spiked template to help you make your own perforated sheets.

Before you buy, check the following:

1. Think about the type of sander you need. If you need to shift a lot of material fast, choose a belt sander. For a fine finish on flat woodwork choose an orbital sander. The latest random orbit/eccentric sanders or multi-sanders are good all-rounders on a wide range of surfaces.
2. Check whether you will have to buy expensive, purpose-made abrasive - or if you can make your own from cheaper sheets. If you do wish to make your own sanding sheets then see if the sander comes with a paper punch to allow you to make the holes for the dust extraction.
3. Higher speeds mean a better finish in most cases - compare the no-load speeds before buying.
4. A sander with bigger belts, discs or sheets will do the job faster - but at more cost. Is saving a few minutes that important if you're an occasional user?
5. The new detail/contour sanders are effective but have limited uses - a piece of abrasive paper wrapped round a shaped bit of wood could do just as well for a one-off job!