Building custom furniture out of scrap wood is one of my favorite DIY projects. There are many DIY projects that you can make, from coffee tables to desks. These projects are great for getting compliments from friends.
You can customize your furniture by building it yourself. You can choose the size, decorations, and colors of your furniture. The best part of these projects is the finishing of the wood and staining the right color. This comes with the tedious sanding that can often leave your piece looking a bit raggedy.
Features Of Orbital Bernies
Orbital Sheet Vs. Random Orbital Sanders
There are two main types of motorized sanding instruments. Orbital sheet sanders are an older technology that uses a motor to move the standard sandpaper attached at the tool back-and-forth. Sheet sanders are great for flat surfaces and generally less expensive. Standard sandpaper is easier to find than the special disks required by random orbital sanders.
These orbital sanders, which are relatively new technology, have gained popularity. The rotary disks are moved in an elliptical, random fashion to create a cleaner, cleaner and more professional finish. These are great for finishing up jobs that don’t look right. They are more costly and can damage a piece of furniture if used improperly.
The type of work you do will determine which sander you choose. For DIYers who are only doing small projects, the random orbital is more versatile. It is worth investing in a random orbital to get a better sander. A sheet sander is better for serious woodworkers, such as when you need to sand between coats of stain, or in tight corners.
Types Of Random Orbital Sanders
There are many types of random orbital-sanders. All of these sanders can be used for general projects. However, there are pros and cons to each type that may be more suitable for you if you want to focus on a particular project.
Palm grip Sanders are ideal for fine-tuned sanding in tight corners, fragile features or small spaces. Right angle sanders can be used for larger projects, such as removing glue or paint. These sanders have a slower motor speed, which allows the user to press harder onto the surface and gives a more rough sanding. Larger inline sanders can be customized and used for large projects. Although they require two hands to operate, they can be customized at a much faster speed that allows them to be used on many different projects.
When working with wood surfaces, it is important to control the speed of your sander. For more delicate surfaces, a slower speed is better. You can also use a lower speed to sand between coats or stain. A faster motor speed, on the other hand, will enable you to power through difficult surfaces and make quick work of large jobs.
Variable speed sanders can be used to bridge the gap between different settings. They are a great tool for DIYers. This is something to consider if you are involved in a variety of projects.
To keep wood shavings from flying around, many sanders come with dust guards or dust bags. It is important to look at dust collection features when buying a sander, especially if you work indoors.
You can attach sanders to shop-vacs to prevent your workshop becoming contaminated with wood dust. This is an important feature for those who work in indoor spaces. Dust can quickly build up during DIY projects. Your lungs will thank you for having clean air.
Miscellaneous Accessories and Portability
Like any other tool, orbital sanders can vary in terms of their build, accessories, or materials. Some sanders offer a more comfortable, ergonomic grip that will make it easier to do longer projects. You can also get high-quality carrying cases that make your tool more portable, which is important if you travel a lot.
You can also choose to purchase a sander based on other features such as longer cords and trigger locks, sealed switches, or pad breaks. You have more flexibility when working with large pieces. A longer cord allows you to be more flexible. Trigger locks are a great feature for projects that take a lot of time. Sealing switches will keep dust out of your tool and extend the life of your sander. The pad brakes are a lifesaver for those who can’t control their hands.
There are many variables involved in orbital sanders. Make sure you read our reviews carefully and choose the features you feel will be most beneficial to you. You can still test these models in your local hardware store before you buy them online.
Top Options
DEWALT DWE6423K Random Orbit Sander
The DeWalt D26451K sander is great for DIYers. The rotation speed is 12,000 rpm. This gives it the ability to create a smooth finish while still being able to tackle difficult jobs. Although it is quite expensive, you can use it as a sander or grinder with external accessories.
- Very durable design makes it long lasting
- Dust bag included to help keep your workspace clean
- Comfortable, ergonomic grips
- Sandpaper is easy to replace
This sander can be used as a general purpose tool, or it can be added to any workshop. The sander also features a dust-seal switch that prolongs the life of your tool, and a port to connect a vacuum. This product is great for all purposes and should be considered when buying an orbital sander.
The non-variable speed is one of the downsides. This limits your possibilities for completing projects with your sander. The plastic attachments such as the switch cover and dust bag clasp can crack over time, since they are made from slightly less expensive plastic than the body.
Bosch ROS20VSK 120-Volt Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander
The Bosch orbital sander costs less than the DeWalt model, and also has a 120-volt variable speed motor. This will allow you to sand delicate pieces with the same tool you use to power through glue and caked-on paint. This is not the only feature we love about the product. It also features anti-spillback dust containers that prevent dust from returning to the motor.
What do we like?
- Variable speed motor offers more flexibility
- This sander is very portable thanks to its great fabric carry case
- A sturdy dust hopper keeps your mess under control
- Portable, lightweight casing with comfortable grip
This sander is small and has a variable speed. It can leave smooth, high-quality finishes on delicate pieces due to its small size. It is small and can be difficult to handle large projects that require a lot of elbow grease. If you are more inclined to tackle these types of projects, getting a larger, more powerful sander might be worthwhile. This Bosch offering is a great option if you are looking for an orbital sander that can do all of your tasks.
Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander
The main attraction of the Black & Decker BDERO254 cm is its affordability. The tiny 13 cm sander packs a powerful motor speed of 12,000 RPM into a compact package. This compact sander can be used for DIY projects around the house, like refinishing a porch or removing cabinets. You even get a dust bag, a carry case and a handle.
What do we like?
- Performance without compromise
- It is small enough to handle very small projects
- Comfortable grip
- Dust collection bag and canister
Although the BDERO100 may not be as durable as other sanders, that is to be expected. The BDERO100 does not have a sealed switch that will prevent dust from getting into the casing. This model is also missing a vacuum adapter.
It’s hard to fault the machine’s shortcomings, but it is so affordable. This machine is great for DIY beginners or those who limit themselves to small projects.
Makita XOB01Z 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Random Orbit Sander
The Makita model is slightly different from the sanders that we have discussed so far. The variable speed motor can be set to speed at 7,000, 9,500 and 11,000 rpm. The orbit radius is 11,000 rpm. This tool is designed for quick material removal. It might not be as great for work with antiques, but it may be better for larger projects.
This sander’s most striking feature is its cordless design. The included battery will give you 20 minutes of high speed sanding and 40 minutes of low speed sanding. We recommend buying a second battery if you don’t plan to use your sander often.
What do we like?
- Cordless convenience
- Project customization is possible with variable speed settings
- Comfortable, ergonomic handle.
- Large orbits make it possible to speed up sanding jobs
Due to the short battery life, this sander is not meant for complex projects that take longer than a few minutes. This Makita model is the most convenient and efficient sander you will find for household projects.
PORTER CABLE 7424XP 15. cm Variable Speed Polisher
The Porter-Cable sander/polisher combination offers more customization than other sanders. The variable motor is designed to allow for fine-tuned sanding. It can be set at speeds between 2,500 rpm and 6,800 rpm. The handle can be moved from one side to the other, increasing control and comfort. This is a great tool for more complex projects such as marine, automotive, and antique furniture.
What do we like?
- The versatile tool’s variable speed settings and 4.5-amp motor make it an ideal choice.
- At ten feet, it has the longest cord of any sander in this list
- Doubles as a polishergreat to use on cars and boats
- The handle’s counter balance prevents excessive movement and smoothens the final result
You might consider one of these other tools if you are looking for a more powerful sander. The Porter-Cable polisher can be used for small woodworking projects as well as being an excellent tool for boat and car care. You’ve probably done a boat or car paint job and know how challenging it can be. These jobs will be easy with this polisher.
Conclusion
For DIY projects, orbital sanders can be a very important tool. You won’t be happy with the final product no matter how well a piece is constructed. An orbital sander is able to transform a piece of furniture that’s not great into something you can be proud of.
There is no one sander that we can recommend. It all depends on the type of project you are involved in. The DeWalt HTML26451K Random Orbit sander is the best option for anyone looking for a general, reliable sander. This durable, reliable sander from DeWalt will work well for all sanding projects.
An orbital sander is a great tool to make you a professional DIYer. It is crucial to do some research to find the right tool for you. We hope this guide helps you.
