Sanders

Common types of sanders and grinders

Angle grinders

Also known as side grinders or disc grinders. Certain angle grinders, depending on their speed range and the discs you use, can be used for both sanding and cutting. They can sand or cut wood, masonry, concrete, plastics, metals, and tiles.

Orbital sanders

These are mostly used for fine sanding, especially for sanding wood or removing varnish and paint. They use a sanding disk that spins while moving simultaneously in small circles. For a comfortable use, the handle is usually protected by anti-vibration dampers. Orbital sanders come in rectangular (ideal for large, flat surfaces) and delta shapes (for smaller areas, corners and edges).

Belt sanders

Belt sanders are designed for sanding wood, plastics, and metals. Because they have a rather aggressive action, they are normally used only for the beginning stages of the sanding process. They are perfect for sanding flat and large surfaces.

Random Orbit sanders

Because they leave no traces of sanding, random orbit sanders are ideal for the final stages of the sanding process. They also provide excellent results on curved surfaces, e.g. car bodies.

What to look for when choosing a grinder or sander?

Motor power

If you plan to grind hard materials (metal, hardwood, etc.), use coarse sandpaper, or sand large surfaces, choose a model with a higher wattage. That will ensure that the grinder won't overheat and jam.

Dust collector or dust extractor

In order to maintain a clean working environment, some grinders enable to connect a vacuum cleaner, others feature a built-in dust collector.

Types of grips

• Two-Handed Sanders - tend to be more powerful and heavier. Designed primarily for sanding horizontal surfaces.
• Single-Handed Sanders - easy to control with one hand. Typically used for sanding smaller areas, corners, and edges. They tend to be less efficient.

Weight

In the case of single-handed models, low weight is an advantage that facilitates control. With two-handed models, heaviness can be useful. Because they are mostly used for sanding horizontal surfaces, the heavier sanders should do the sanding with their own weight and it shouldn't be necessary to press down with them on the surface.