Different Types of Cordless Sanders Explained

· Power Tools,Sanders,Cordless Sanders

To make any surface that you've previously done some work on, look brand new, you need to scrape off the top layer to reveal the untouched one below it. This is best done by sanding. Even if it's done by hand the results are astonishing. But who wants to sand large surfaces by hand anymore? Power sanders have made it possible to not strain yourself when you're sanding down a large car part or a big wooden table.

Sanders are and have saved a lot of people a lot of time and elbow grease that can then be used on more strenuous tasks. Sanding may be the last part of a DIY project but it's quite important and so are power sanders. They have accelerated the way people take on projects and have made it a lot easier to make your end product look professional too. This has been proven to be the case with battery powered sanders too.

Benefits of Cordless Sanders

broken image

Ease of Use

If you think corded sanders are easy to use, wait till you use a cordless one. Cordless power sanders are a lot easier to use since they do not have anything that prevents you from moving them around freely. This makes cordless sanders versatile as you're not limited by the length or weight of a cable. You can sand any surface at any angle even in tight spaces.

Portable

Since there is no cable to hold you back, you can bring your cordless battery sander anywhere you want. No matter the worksite or if there's a power outlet nearby, you'll be able to sand down for hours on end without the need to plug in your sander. Just make sure you have all your batteries fully charged beforehand and you're all good.

Safe

It's not that corded sanders aren't safe but cordless ones are known to be even safer. Why? Again, amongst other things, it's because of the cord, or the lack of it. No cord means no accidents caused by you tripping from it. Also, cordless sanders come with many safety features that are either exempt or late to the party when it comes to corded sanders.

Types of Cordless Sanders

broken image

Palm

A palm sander works spins slightly by vibrating back and forth. This is why palm battery sanders are good for stripping paint from old wood. Palm battery powered sanders are great when used on bare wood too as the sander goes with the grain of the wood.

Orbital

An orbital battery sander comes with a pad that moves in a circle. This allows you to move the sander in any direction you want making it more versatile than a palm sander. Orbital sanders can be used to sand down both softwood and hardwood items as it all depends on the speed and type of sanding pad you're using.

Random Orbital

Similar to an orbital sander, a random orbital sander works differently. Instead of employing only an oscillating motion, a random orbital sander combines rotation and oscillation together. If you want to do finishing work, orbital sanders are a great option as they can be used both on flat and curved surfaces.

Detail

With a detail battery sander, you can do exactly what's implied by the name of this sander. Detail sanders are made to fit in your hand and because of their size, they are meant to be used when doing contour work. You can work with detail sanders in tight spots too which is common when working with banisters.

Tips for Using Cordless Sanders

broken image

The Grain

If you're someone who hasn't done any sanding or very little, it's important that you respect the grain of the wood. This is why you should always sand with the grain of the wood and not against it. This will help you get far better results, even if you're using an orbital sander. If you were to go across the grain of the wood you would leave visible scratches, and that is not something you want to see.

Go Easy

It's important that you let the sander do most of the work. While you still need to control where you sand and how much you want to sand, you shouldn't apply force. Avoid pushing down on your sander when using it as this can leave valleys and ridges. Again, doing so otherwise your work will look unprofessional. Just make sure the sander is stable and that you cover the entire surface with it.

Change The Paper

Sometimes when sanding a large surface you might think that it can take a long time. While that is true, in certain cases it may be the result of a worn or gummed-up paper or pad. Make sure to always change the paper/ pad on time so that you get the best results and the most out of your power sander.

Curves

When it comes to working on flat surfaces all you need to do is to steadily guide the sander. But when it comes to curved surfaces you need to give them a light touch. In this case, you should not let the sander's full weight rest on the curve. This can result in the sander changing the shape of the curve which is something you can't reverse. Make sure to go slow and steady here as one mistake can lead to many others.