Woodworking Tools

What To Look For When Purchasing New Orbital Sanders

When working with a fresh piece of wood you will want to avoid gouging any part the wood. If you are an experienced wood craftsman, than you are aware of how gouging the piece of wood you are working on will damage your project. For those inexperienced wood craftsman’s who are starting to work on a new project, they will want to look into investing in an orbital sander. The technological advancements made to orbital sanders over the last few years make this tool, an essential item, to have in your toolbox. These sanders will help you avoid making any project ending mistakes.

What makes orbital sanders unique is the random orbit. Random orbit is the ability to sand in a quite random orbit. The orbit will spin at speeds up to 25,000 RPM. A key feature of the random movement is that it creates a smooth finish, unlike the finishes that most palm or belt sanders leave behind. Most orbital sanders use sanding disks. The disks are usually round and typically around 5 inch diameter, which are normally attached to a foam-rubber pad. The sanding disk comes in several different number grits from as high as 220 (for exceptionally fine results) to as low as 60 (for an extremely coarse look).  Although not specifically designed for this, you can also use the sander to sand you floor or even drywall.

When purchasing an orbital sander there are so many different brands to choose from. There are brands like Dewalt, Bosch, Clarke, Ryobi, Husky, Porter Cable  and Makita available. Each brand has its pros and cons. The main differences between the different brands are their features. However, there are three main features any orbital sander you purchase must have.

• Dust collection – this is a must. Your unit must have a dust collection bag or filter connected. Your sander should also be able to connect to a dust collection or portable vacuum unit.
• Sealed switch – your unit will also need to have a sealed switch. You want to protect your unit from getting dust into the switch, which would damage your unit.
• Balanced – all orbital sanders need to be well balanced. They need to feel comfortable in your hands, not shaking and feel like you are going to drop it any minute. All sanders will vibrate, but excessive vibrations could make for a long day. If you have small hands, make sure the sander is not too large.

Top rated orbital sanders are constructed out of heavy duty plastic with a metal body and rubber or gel pads. These features will improve your grip. This is especially helpful as you work with a sander with greater speed. You should be able to find plenty of reviews online to help you make the best choice.