Johnson
Some people have the time to sand furniture, but not everyone does. If you want to get your hands on a smooth finish for your wooden furniture, it’s going to take hours of sanding or expensive professional help. Sanding is a necessary step in furniture restoration, but it can be time-consuming and messy. The best way to avoid the mess is to find the best sanders for furniture that will do most of the work for you.
A wood sander makes short work of that tedious activity and can be used by anyone with little effort, even if you’ve never tried furniture sanding tools before. The furniture sander is designed for use on any wood surface, including furniture, cabinets, doors, and other household items.
Not sure what kind of sander you need? Don’t worry; We have reviewed the five best sanders for furniture refinishing below so that you can pick out one that’s right for your project.
Top Five Best Sanders for Furniture
Here are my top picks based on price, performance, and convenience
DEWALT DCW210B Orbit Sander
Specifications
| Brand | DEWALT |
| Dimensions | 8.8 x 5.7 x 6.3 inches |
| Weight | 2.5 Pounds |
| Power | 20 Volts |
If you are searching for what kind of sander do I need for furniture, the DEWALT DCW210B 18-Volt Cordless Orbital Sander is the answer to your query. It is a lightweight, compact sander that delivers high performance and durability. It features a brushless motor that provides increased run time and longer tool life. The electronic variable speed control dial allows for precision sanding from 8,000 to 12,500 orbits per minute.
The DEWALT DCW210B is the best orbital sander for refinishing furniture and has a 1/4 orbital sheet action for fast material removal and improved finish quality. The sander has an ergonomic design with a low-profile height to get into tight spaces and make it the best electric sander for furniture. The tool-free hook-and-loop sanding pad allows quick and easy pad changes, while the dust-sealed switch prevents dust from entering the motor housing.
This compact sander to refinish furniture features an ergonomic rubber over mold grip for comfort and control while you work. The electric sander with dust bag with paper dust collection, making it easy to change the sandpaper. The variable speed trigger offers increased control for precision finishing.
Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
Specifications
| Brand | BOSCH |
| Dimensions | 9 x 5 x 6 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 Pounds |
| Power | 120 Volts |
The Bosch ROS20VSC palm sander is the best type of sander that you can use for sanding and finishing wood, metal, or other materials. This sander from Bosch has a variable speed control from 7500 to 12,000 OPMs, allowing you to choose the speed best suited for your needs. The compact-sized sander weighs only 3.5 pounds and has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use.
The Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander is top rated palm sander with the power and performance you need. The 2.5 Amp motor delivers fast material removal, and the variable speed control dial allows you to match the speed of your application. The product has an ergonomic design, and you can adjust the handle to fit your hand.
The 5 inches of sanding surface provides plenty of room for large flat surfaces, while the pad dampening system reduces vibration by up to 60% for improved user comfort. It is the best sander with dust collection bag that helps keep the work area clean while working on your project. This product features a dust level indicator, so you know when it’s time for clean-up.
Makita XOB01Z Orbit Sander
Specifications
| Brand | Makita |
| Dimensions | 5.16 x 8.07 x 6.89 inches |
| Weight | 2.9 Pounds |
| Power | 18 Volts |
The Makita XOB01Z Orbit Sander, a fine detail sander, is an excellent addition to your toolbox. It’s lightweight and compact, so you can take it with you wherever you go. This sander has a random orbit action that gives you a swirl-free finish and minimizes the risk of gouging or damaging your surface. The 1/8″ random orbit action allows for smooth, even results on small projects like furniture refinishing or cabinet painting.
Makita’s sander features a one-touch electronic speed control for fast sanding and is considered the best sander among tools for sanding wood. The broad base helps reduce arm fatigue during extended use. A dust collection bag keeps your work area clean of sawdust, while an onboard accessory storage compartment keeps accessories close at hand.
The Makita XOB01Z Orbit Sander gives you three speed settings to choose from, ensuring that you can sand any material with ease. The variable speed dial allows you to change the sander’s rotation speed from 7,000 to 11,000 orbits per minute for a wide range of applications. If you are confused about different types of sanders and are wondering what type of sander to use on wood or metal, this sander will allow you to transform your workpiece quickly.
MILWAUKEE Random Orbit Sander
Specifications
| Brand | Milwaukee |
| Dimensions | 6 x 11 x 7 inches |
| Weight | 2.7 Pounds |
The Milwaukee Random Orbit Sander is a cordless tool that features a variable speed dial that ranges from 7 000 to 12 000 OPM for the best results when working on different materials. The sander can be used with various pads ranging from coarse to fine grits and has an orbital diameter of 3/32″.
The hook-and-loop sanding pad makes it easy to change out the paper if you need to. This thing can get through some tough jobs like stripping paint off of wood with ease. The lithium battery provides up to 35 minutes of sanding per charge, so there are no worries about running out of power when you’re in the middle of a job.
The Milwaukee detail sander is the ideal tool for any job. It features a powerful 7-amp motor that delivers 12,000 OPM to remove material and leave a smooth finish quickly. The random orbit sander also has an innovative dust collection system that captures 99% of dust particles before they reach the air, cleaner your work area.
BLACK+DECKER Mouse Detail Sander
Specifications
| Brand | BLACK+DECKER |
| Dimensions | 33.3 x 5 x 5 Inches |
| Weight | 17.8 pounds |
The BLACK+DECKER Mouse Detail Sander is considered one of the best mouse sanders. It is a powerful, lightweight sander that can handle any project you throw at it. This Mouse Detail Sander’s patented orbital action and powerful motor make it easy to remove paint, varnish, or rust from hard-to-reach areas. It has a 350-pound weight capacity and a 1.2 Amp motor for fast material removal. This power sander for furniture also features a unique dust collection system with an accessible access port for convenient emptying.
The Black Decker Mouse Detail Sander is a small sander for furniture perfect for getting into tight spaces. This mouse-shaped sander has a 3-position grip and detailed finger attachment, making it the best mouse sander, so you can easily sand intricate areas like the back of drawers or between chair legs. The Mouse Sander features an ergonomic, lightweight design for comfortable use.
The sander has a hook and loop system with an on/off switch located right on the handle for added convenience. The 14,000 orbits per minute make it an ideal sander for wood furniture and auto body repair.
What To Consider While Buying Best Sanders for Furniture
A furniture sander machine is a fantastic tool to have when you need smoothing out rough surfaces. It will help you remove any unwanted material from the workpiece much faster than doing it by hand or other tools. Compared to sandpaper, a handheld electric sander could do your job at least ten times faster, depending on the type and your skill level.
There are many types of sanders available on the market. Still, we will concentrate on electric palm sanders and orbital/spindle sanders (the same thing basically, only with a different mount).
Choosing the best furniture sander for your projects can be a challenge since there are so many models to choose from, and each of them comes with unique features to help you work faster and better. Below is a list of things that will help you choose among the wood sanders for furniture for your needs:
Power source
The power source in a sander is essential because you need to choose a device that will work with the electricity output from your home sockets. Most standard models use 100V or 120V for low-power sanders and 240/250V for more powerful varieties. To use the sander, you will also need an electrical outlet to handle such a power load.
Also, keep in mind lower voltage electric sanders for furniture usually come with smaller warranties and can be more expensive on your end when compared to higher voltage models. For smaller projects and dry sanding of woods and wooden furniture, 220V would do just fine. An excellent example of this type of sander is the Black & Decker Mouse Sander, which delivers 1.5A at 110W.
Power and speed
The power in a sander is measured in watts, and the maximum amount of wattage your tool can deliver will determine the sanding speed. Even though most standard sanders come with around 200-250W, you will need to increase this number when doing heavy-duty work or using your sanding tools for refinishing furniture. Also, don’t go for a lower voltage model if you plan to work since it will take longer for each project and is not very efficient or practical.
Surface area
The best palm sanders come with a flat surface, which is usually enough for most basic jobs. If you want to smooth out larger surfaces or remove more comprehensive pieces of material, go for those with a more extensive base. It will give you more stability, and it will be able to collect dust particles better since there is a higher suction power available.
Weight and balance
You always need to consider your strength when choosing the right furniture sanders, so better go for something you can easily control and move around as needed. A heavier device does not automatically mean more stability if it’s not well balanced or built ergonomically correctly.
Also, if you can’t choose what sander to use when working for more extended periods in dusty environments, go for a vacuum-compatible model that will help you deal with the mess and collect all the unwanted particles inside the device.
Variable speed control
When deciding on the best palm sander for furniture, make sure there is an adjustable part to control how fast it spins. This feature comes in very handy since different projects require different speed levels while sanding. You do not want to overheat the material or scratch it instead of smoothing it out because your tool was set to its highest speed.
Almost all types of electric sanders come with variable speed control, so you should not have any problem finding this feature available. However, if you do – it’s not a big deal to add it later as an upgrade or buy a tool with a fixed speed setting. Another thing worth mentioning is that higher speeds do not always mean better performance – try going for something around 800-1500 RPM and then check out the power adjustment – that should work just fine for furniture sanding.
Handle shape and grip
The type of handle your model comes with will make a huge difference in control, power application, and comfort during operation. For example, those devices with more oversized handles are more suitable for people who plan to use the sander for extended periods or work in awkward positions.
For example, a palm grip is much better for handling and balance, but you might feel more tired after using it for more extended periods. The shape also matters since some people prefer a cushioned grip while others go for a smooth one. However, don’t just pick a model based on that alone unless that’s your favorite type – try going for something with an ergonomic design since this will help reduce muscle tension after extensive sanding work.
Dust collection system
One of the essential features you need to consider when choosing a sander is collecting dust particles during operation. Since these tools are usually used indoors, and they spin fast, the dust usually spreads all over the room. If nothing is available to keep it inside, try to grab one that has a universal sander dust bag.
That’s why you need to find a tool that has an efficient dust collector system – something like a bag or a container where you can quickly empty and clean it after each project. If you plan on working in areas with low airflow, this will not be as important since the particles will not spread far enough. However, it’s recommended to go for models with at least 40-45% suction power for high-traffic rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The type of sander that is best for your project depends on the materials you plan to use. For example, if you are sanding wood furniture, an orbit sander or palm sander could be more appropriate than a belt sander because it’s gentler and less likely to cause damage.
The fastest way is with an orbit/disk sander. You can do it by hand, but it’s going to take a lot of elbow grease and time. An orbit/disk sander will cut your sanding time in half! It’ll only take about 15 minutes per coat – that means if you have ten coats on the table, that would be an hour or two max.
If you have old furniture that needs sanding, you’ll find many different types of sandpaper to choose from. You may need to research the type of wood your piece is made out of before choosing particular sandpaper, as this will determine what grit size you need.
CONCLUSION
To recap, these are the five best power sanders for furniture on the market. They all have their upsides and downsides, so you’ll need to figure out which one works best for your needs. If you’ve been looking to purchase a sander, be sure to read through our guide and reviews before making your final decision.
We hope this review about types of wood sanders has helped you decide what machine is suitable for you! Thank you again for reading and happy sander shopping.
