Sanders & Grinders : To add a finishing touch to your project

Having sanders and grinders will make you save time and energy by helping you quick and consistent results. Whether you are a seasonal or regular worker, a good sander is an essential part of your workshop. Meanwhile, the grinders serve a myriad of useful functions, from rust removal and polishing, to blade sharpening and buffing.

Random Orbit Sander

A random orbit sanders features a round pad that moves in a random pattern to prevent gouging, and can handle any job, from rough to finish sanding. Random orbit sanders are among the most polyvalent of all sanders types and are usually available in four models:

• Palm-grip: Compact and lightweight; perfect for smaller projects like sanding drywall or stripping furniture.
• Pistol-grip: Larger and more powerful; offers smoother finishes; perfect for working on tabletops and casework.
• Right-angle: Heavy-duty; work quickly for rough sanding.
• Pneumatic sanders: Powered by compressors; powerful and versatile.

Our recommendation: Bosch - 6-1/2-amp 6-Inch Random Orbit Sander with Vacuum Port - 1250DEVS

Belt Sander

Belt sanders use a pulley-driven loop, and are perfect for removing large amounts for wood quickly. They are your best ally when it comes to large areas and rough sanding, such as sanding doors, tabletops or other uneven areas.

Our recommendation: Makita - 4” X 24” Belt Sander - 9403

Finishing/Sheet Sander

A finishing/sheet sander features a squared-off sanding pad that moves in a circular motion. They are perfect for delivering fine and smooth finished to materials such as veneers and plywood. In addition, because of their square base, finishing/sheet sanders work well when it comes to sanding corners.

Our recommendation: Hitachi - 1.7 Amp Orbital 1/4 Sheet Sander with Cloth Dust Bag - SV12SG

Detail Sander

Also called a corner sander, a detail sander features a triangular sanding pad that can sand curves and profile shapes with ease. These sanders are perfect for sanding in tigh spots, like around chair spindles.

Our recommendation: Bosch - Corner/Detail Sander Kit - 1294VSK

Power and Sandpaper

Sanders are powered with electricity, batteries, or air compressors. Electric sanders are usually more portable and economical, making them more convenient for moving between jobsites, or rooms of your home. On the other hand, pneumatic sanders are generally more powerful and work faster, but require a compressor, which may be difficult to transport. Regardless of the power source is the better fit, you will need to determine which type of sanding accessory is the best for you. Surfaces range from very fine to rough and coarse, depending on the task you need it for.

Our recommendations:
Bosch - Detail Triangle, Hook & Loop Sanding Sheet, Red, 80 Grit (25pk) - SDTR082
Samona/ROK - 3pk 100 Grit 3" x 18" Sanding Belt - 44852

Features

Bench-Top Grinder

Bench-top grinders are perfect for heavy-duty polishing, sharperning, and grinding. Most of the time, they feature two wheels, one with a lower grit for coarse work and the other with a higher grit for finer, more detailed results.Their wheels generally range diameter from 5" to 10" and spin at roughly 3,500 RPM.

One important thing you may want to consider when buying a bench-top grinder is the purchase of a diamond wheel dressing tool. This type of wheel is used to produce sharp, new edges on your grinding wheels for optimal performance.

Our recommendation: DeWALT - 6" (150mm) Bench Grinder - DW756

Portable/Angle Grinder

Most of the time, portable/angle grinders are generally smaller than bench-top grinders and have only one wheel, ranging from 2" to 7" in diameter. This type of sander often has a side handle that makes them easier to hold with two hands.

Our recommendation: DeWALT - 4-1/2"/5" High Power Small Angle Grinder - D28114N

Grinder Wheels

Grinders can be used for removing both non-ferrous and ferrous metals, as well as various applications with paint, rust, concrete, wood, marble, slate, stone and tile. They can also polish and brighten metal, buff, grind, sand, cut, and notch. Even more, you can use them to level or deburr surfaces. The key to such versatility lies in the grinding wheel. Also, knowing which wheel will be more effective for specific tasks is essential for achieving the right results. Take a look at the chart below to help you choose which wheels you will need to use for a specific job:

Features

Check out our brands for sanders and grinders!