Sander Reviews
There are several types of sander on the market, and each one is designed for a particular type of task, such as the polishing finish of a palm sander, or the rough high-volume sanding available from belt sanders. Floor sanders are meant for sanding or polishing large flat surfaces, a direct counterpoint to detailing use of the palm sanders. And for industrial applications, pneumatic sanders are often looked at as an alternative to traditionally messy electric sanders.
In sander reviews, the most popular names are no surprise to seasoned woodworkers. Among the best sanders are names like Makita, Ryobi, and Porter Cable, some of the leading brands in the power tool industry. Grizzly has a few sanders on the top of the popularity lists, partially due to the company's innovative approach to tool design, and partially due to the industrial strength and size of many of their tools.
Choosing the Right Sander
Before purchasing a sander, take a look at the many different varieties available, and pick the type that best suits your needs. Belt sanders are not usually the best choice for detail sanding, for example. As another example, frequently sanding large curved or unusual shapes might be more easily accomplished with a spindle sander tool. Having the correct tool for the job will not only save time on the doing the task, it will provide better looking results.
Popular Sander Brands
Whether you are going to be working around the home, at job sites all over town, or based out of your own cabinet shop, the leading brands of sanders can make you more productive. Jet, DeWalt, and Bosch are popular brands, along with the Black & Decker Firestorm line. From the stand-alone wide belt sanders made by Grizzly to the all-around workhorse of portable sanders, the Makita belt sander, there is a model designed for the type of work you do.
Sander Features
Popular sander features include speed control and quick-change sandpaper discs or belts. Having variable speed gives you more control over the quality of the sanding. Another handy feature is an automatic braking feature on disc and palm sanders that stops the movement as soon as you release the trigger, preventing gouging and scratching common with ordinary "run-on" sanders.
Typical Sander Applications
The sander power tool is perfect for cabinet shops, trim carpentry, and hand-held models are even used in trades such as tile and floors, concrete work, and plumbing and electrical applications. With the right disc, a high-speed disc sander can be used for many different sanding, grinding, and cutting applications, and can often be used in locations where other traditional tools are not feasible.