10 Best Sanders for Wood Projects

If you’re a woodworker, even a beginner, you’ll need a sander at some point. Pretty much every woodworking and wood finishing project calls for sanding, and sanding tools do the job much more efficiently than you can by hand.

When shopping for a sander, think first about why you need it. Sanders can smooth wood, wear it down to a calibrated thickness or shape and de-splinter it. They can also remove old finish.

The vast difference in functions and sizes of projects means a sander that may be right for one job won’t be right for all. Some sanders are more versatile than others. And while versatility may be a bonus for a woodworker, no one sander can do everything.

Considerations When Shopping for a Sander

Depending on your needs, you may opt for a palm sander, a random orbital model, a belt sander, a disk sander or a detail sander. Once you narrow down your options, consider the following:

• Corded or cordless: Batteries in most cordless models provide about 30 minutes of working time between charges, more than enough if you own a spare battery. Corded models may be less convenient but they’re more powerful.
• Sheet or precut paper: Orbital and disc sanders with circular or triangular bases accept only precut sandpaper, which is more expensive than standard sheets. The extra cost can be significant on large projects that require different sanding grits.
• Comfort and noise: If you’re working on a large project like sanding down a laminated tabletop, you could be holding the sander for hours. The fewer vibrations and the less noise the tool makes, the easier it is to control and the happier you’ll be.
• Dust collection: Dust is an issue no matter what you’re sanding. A tool that collects it efficiently reduces cleanup time and prevents mess-ups when it’s time to apply a finish.
• Handheld or benchtop: These tools perform different functions.
• Cost: No one wants to overpay for a tool, and you shouldn’t have to with a sander. The best machines out there aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones, but there are exceptions.

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