15 Types of sanders | And what power sanders to use?

There are a lot of different types of sanders for different sanding jobs. Learn here all the different electric sander types and when to use what sanding tool for what job? If not, keep on reading to gain everything you need to know about sanders so you know what tool to use and on what type of surface.

Do not forget that it is essential to use the right sander for the right job to save your back, your time, and ensure the most quality finish.

1. When to use a belt sander?

A belt sander is used to shape wood and other materials as the most aggressive hand sanding tool. A belt sander is the best tool for fast and serious initial sanding on the roughest of surfaces that need to be sanded back quickly.

There are cordless belt sanders that are a little under-powered, the corded belt sanders have all the power on tap that you need to provide the fastest most aggressive sanding tool.

Pros

• Various types of motors and speed control depending on your budget and how much power you need for each job using the variable speed control.
• Big flat sanding platform to cover wide surfaces.
• Easy as to handle and use.

Cons

• Dust collection vents can clog and need cleaning on cheaper tools.
• Need to get the right size belts (Cheaper belts can snap, cheaper tools can snap the belts also).
• Some belt sanders are heavy and require PPE such as glasses and earmuffs to protect you from flying debris and noise.

2. When to use an orbital sander?

An orbital sander is used if you want to achieve an ultra-smooth surface in a fast time frame. Due to its orbital motion, it can produce a flawless finishing surface, especially on larger areas.

One common misconception people have is the difference between an orbit and orbital motion. To clear that out, an orbit is a simple spinning motion, while orbital is a random dimensional motion. A cordless orbital sander that is more portable is best, such as the Makita palm sander that can give you flexibility and powerful performance.

Pros

• Sands in the rotation can produce smooth surfaces just what a finishing sander can give.
• Versatile type of sander due to its bigger motors.
• Easy to handle that lessens hand fatigue.

Cons

• Circular pads are not ideal for tight corners. Check out a detail sander or an oscillating tool for this.
• Corresponding discs are required to match the right size of the tool.

3. When to use a finishing sander?

A finishing sander is used for shaping, smoothing, a hassle-free polish on wooden surfaces much like an orbital sander. But instead with a back and forth motion instead of a circular motion. This is better for sanding wood that will have an exposed wood grain finish rather than a painted finish.

The back and forth motion sands along the wood grain leaving a smoother finish. Although it is much less powerful than an orbital sander, hence a “finishing sander.”

You can use a corded finishing sander if you’re going to skip manual sanding as a finishing sander requires more grunt with its more limiting motion. But you do get a more refined and smoother finish over the top of any other type of sander by using a finishing sander right at the end over the top of a more aggressive orbital or belt sander. 

You can get a lightweight and portable finishing sander  that can provide you with an easier and quicker finish than what can be achieved by hand.

Pros

• Provides a high-polished finish on timber wood grain.
• Can get various and easy-to-replace sandpaper sheets, while you can also cut standard hand sandpaper to the right size to install on the tool (Cheap).

Cons

• Small and lightweight, with not much power for large projects that requires any shaping of material.

4. When to use a file sander?

A file sander is used if you want to smoothen tight surfaces or corners that are not reachable by bigger types of sanders or hand sandpaper. You can use it between timbers of chairs or when you want to get rid of old paint or rusting on rails.

Also known as a finger sander, it has a narrow belt making it an excellent tool if you’re going to do detailed work such as auto body repairs or smoothing small features on any of your projects.

Pros

• Has a powerful narrow belt that can fit in small spaces to quickly do its job.
• An easy-to-use and handy power tool that’s also rare to own.
• Flexible variable speed control.

Cons

• As a single-function tool, it can only be used for tight work.
• For lighter finishing sanding jobs a detail sander is softer.

5. When to use a detail sander?

A detail sander is used to get into the corners or edges that your typical finishing or orbital sander cannot reach. This sanding tool has a triangular pad and consists of self-adhesive paper, with also multiple attachments to do more precise work. 

It is the only sander that comes in a triangular shape to serve its purpose: to reach tight spaces and corners like the chairs’ edges.

Pros

• Easy to handle small vibrating head for great enjoyment.
• Very useful in narrow spaces due to its peculiar shape.

Cons

• Ideal only for detailed work such as reaching tight edges or spindles.
• Less powerful than a file belt sander for aggressive work.

6. When to use an oscillating tool as a sander?

An oscillating tool is used to reach narrow spaces if a detail sander is not available. It is also ideal for cutting wood and metal in awkward places that other saws cannot as a second function. With a sander head attachment, it acts in a similar way to a detail sander, but better in my opinion.

A multi-tool can finish sand in tight spaces that other types of bigger sanders cannot reach even what detail sanders cannot reach. As an oscillating tool that can also scrape and cut material, it’s an incredibly versatile and time-saving machine.

Pros

• Portable and very useful in reaching crannies and edges for cutting and sanding.
• Multi-functioning sanding tool.
• A long handle and smaller sanding head allow for greater reach compared to a detail sander.

Cons

• Not recommended in sanding larger pieces of woods due to the small sanding head size.
• The sandpaper can wear out quickly due to the fast sanding operation speed.

7. When to use a table sander?

A table sander, also known as a bench sander, is used for small projects inside a dedicated workshop. This sander can be mounted on a workbench or on a dedicated stand. Typically used in woodworking shops and factories it is ideal for bulk work.  It is also considered a powerful sanding tool that can shape wood and sharpen tools quickly and efficiently.

Pros

• Most powerful sander ideal for workshops when you want to sand at a comfortable height.
• Adjustable that can match your preferred thickness or type of wood.

Cons

• Not portable.

8. When to use a disk sander?

A disk sander is a power tool installed on a bench for quickly smoothing wooden or metal surfaces with stability. If you are looking for a stationary sanding tool that will result in a better quality finish that can save your time inside a dedicated workshop, you should look into a disk sander.

They come with options of different types of disk wheels with various grits depending on the material you are using and what stage of sanding you are at.

Pros

• Ideal for curved edges.
• User-friendly to operate.
• Multi-purpose power tool.
• Controllable speed.
• What a bench grinder is for metal a disk sander is for wood.

Cons

• Only meant for smoothing convex curves and cannot support concave shapes.
• Not portable so only good if you have a  large workshop.
• Dosent have all the sanding features as a table sander.

9. Can you use a bench grinder to sand?

A bench grinder is typically used to grind harder materials like metals, but once you have the right wheel attachment, you could do some tricks with it, such as sanding and shaping wood. Although grinding and polishing wood is totally different from grinding and polishing metals, you can still sand wood.

All it takes is the right attachment and technique. Consider choosing a powerful Dewalt or  jet bench grinder with variable speed to reduce overheating.

Pros

• Can cut and polish woods gradually with stability.
• Wheels are replaceable for softer grinding and different sanding grits.

Cons

• High amp motors and cheaper tools create loud noise and vibration.
• Grinding wheels can cause damage or fire or burn woods if not monitored due to the fast spinning of a bench grinder.
• Not really the right tool to use for wood.

10. Can you use an angle grinder to sand?

You can use an angle grinder for sanding if you have a grinding attachment for sanding wood, these attachments are great for fast sanding for great-looking rustic landscaping work. The ability to change and handle and corresponding wheels or accessories is the key to achieve a perfect sanding experience.

A handheld grinder is a versatile type of sander that can help you with grinding and cutting metal or tile, polishing, and sanding, and sharpening various materials, at the same time. 

Pros

• Has a powerful motor and portable.
• A course timber grinding wheel will give you the ability to very quickly carve and shape wood for a rustic finish.
• Offers different attachments and wheels that can do a wide variety of tasks.
• Multi-purpose.

Cons

• Wear leather gloves to protect your hands.
• Not for any type of finishing work.

11. When to use a drywall sander?

A drywall sander is used when sanding interior walls, plastered walls, and ceilings. It can also be used to remove old paint layers, and plaster coatings. A drywall sander is an effective tool for sanding walls and finishing floors.

Today, you will most likely encounter electric drywall sanders that are more efficient and easy to use as they have a long handle that can reach high and low spots to save your back.

Pros

• Has speed adjustment and selection.
• Includes dust extraction cleaning system for a cleaner workspace.
• Long handle can reach high and low areas.
• Large sanding surface.

Cons

• None.

12. When to use an oscillating spindle sander?

An oscillating spindle sander is installed as or on a table and used to sand the edges of boards. It is also ideal to use if you want to smoothen curved cuts that came from a band saw, for example.

It has a tabletop and sanding drum that works together in an up-and-down motion and has a variety of sanding drums available.

Pros

• Has a dust port located at the back.
• Can sand long edges with straight cuts.
• Good for workshops that require a lot of this type of work.

Cons

• Most expensive type of sanding tool.
• Heavy in weight.
• Not portable.

13. When to use a concrete floor sander?

A concrete floor sander is used for removing layers of concrete surfaces like cement concrete and mortar. It can also be used if you are planning to sand down just a part of the concrete surface. A concrete floor sander has a powerful motor, this is why it can remove and sand concrete surfaces in your garage, patio, kitchen, or basement.

Various floor sander types are commonly used in construction or semi-professional working environments.

Pros

• A powerful type of tool ideal for concrete materials.
• Includes vacuum connection for dust collection.
• Saves your back and time.

Cons

• Controlling process may take some time to familiarize yourself.
• Expensive for a 1 of a job but this tool can be hired.

14. When to use a wooden floor sander?

A floor sander is used if you are going to remove the top surfaces of your wooden floor by sanding it using abrasive grit. There are various types of floor sanders and deck sanding tools that you can choose depending on your job, such as a vibrating sander, edge sander, and drum sander.

While there are varieties, they all belong to furniture refinishing tools to help you sand your wooden floor and save your back.

Pros

• Wide range of floor sanders types to choose from.
• Available with extension cords.
• Saves your back.
• Fast sanding of timber floors to make them brand new again.

Cons

• Circular scratches can occur if you are sanding too fast or not persistent.
• Inadvertent shutdowns can happen with corded sanders if they trip the power supply.
• Expensive for a 1 off job, you could look at hiring one, or using a belt sander if the surface area of your room is not that big.

15. Sanding by hand with a sanding block

A sanding block is used to hold sandpaper for manual “hand” related jobs, sanding blocks are ideal for preventing waves when sanding by hand, which usually appear if you will use sandpaper only or a solid wood block.

There are various sandpaper grits to consider when sanding by hand just like when you sand using a power tool.

Pros

• Sanding blocks target the area specifically with even pressure.
• Promotes even sanding especially on small projects.
• More affordable than any other sanding tools.
• A necessary tool to still have for small detailed sanding work you don’t need a heavy machine for.

Cons

• Time-consuming.
• Takes a lot of manual effort.

Conclusion

Sanding is one of the essential but challenging jobs with woodworking. There are various sanding jobs, and each job requires a specific sanding tool. This is why, as a DIYer or a woodworker, you should know about all the different wood sander types and when to use them.

 It is not enough to know all of these tools, but you should also save yourself a ton of time by picking the right tool for the job and learning the tool’s proper use. Note that the appropriate sander type will save you from any rough finish or hassle and give you a superb and satisfying finish in the end. 

As a DIY’er and if you were to only pick 3 tools I would pick first a sanding block, second a random orbital sander, and finally, an oscillating tool because of its wide variety of handy functions, ranging from cutting in tight spots and doubling as a detail sander.