Which Electric Sander to Use?

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It's important that you pick the right sander for your next woodworking projects. From belt sanders and finishing sanders to random orbit sanders and straight line sanders, George Vondriska describes the benefits of each style and different situations where they work best.
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[@cosmicmuse2900]

The golden age of KZbin when people gave real information

[@schm147]

They still do

[@blindcripple]

Damn.

[@yaseenali4449]

*This is exactly what I needed for trimming the edge of oak boards **MyBest.Tools** I also used the disk to round edges while building an oak - walnut cabinet.*

[@AlStaysHome]

Thank you for this! I'm just starting into woodworking, looking to make a pedestal stand for my washer and dryer. I had no idea what to buy, or why. Now, I do!

[@ukaszbanasiak4787]

I had spent only about 5 min watching KZbin, and I knew what to buy. Thank you a lot!

[@dominiquenotyourbusiness5836]

Thanks. I've only used oscillating sander my whole life and now I got to a project that's impossible to finish with it. This is the first video that was actually informative and I think I'll be getting both the belt one for heavy duty stuff and the rotating for some nice finish

[@lonezebra29]

Thank you for the information. Helped me decide what sander I needed for my project.

[@jasond.valentine5931]

I had my doubts about which I needed. Thank you gentleman for your detailed explanation.

[@ajlcutie]

Just found this. Great info. I appreciate you taking the time to explain the differences, benefits and drawbacks. It was very helpful.

[@nova31337]

Great info. I think it helped me figure that getting a random orbital sander would be a good starter tool for me and I can do detail sanding with my multi-tool that has a small corner sanding attachment. May get a belt sander one day if I start working on large wood projects, but for now, a random orbital and my multi-tool will serve me well for DIY renovation work.

[@grahammorgan7498]

What an awesome video - as a novice, it neatly summarises exactly what you need to know in a short space of time.

[@Waynestock70]

thank you for this info helped me heaps buying a sander

[@sandibennett7305]

Thank you very much for posting this very informative tutorial. I'm getting into buying old wood tables and want to refinish them. I've been in search of which type of sander best to use. You've provided very valuable information.

[@GentlemanH]

My Makita belt sander has the option of turning it upside down and attaching a support to firmly hold the machine in position. This allows one to hold the workpiece in both hands and do the small items. Note :- be careful using the belt sander in this manner as ones fingers are now close to the action (where material is removed). Thanks for a greatly informative video ! 🙂

[@Wwgoa]

Thanks for the info!

[@dinyardalal]

Excellent presentation- to the point and easy to understand. Thank you!!!

[@AlhamRana]

Really thank you..

[@Evan-3355]

Great video. Perfectly spoken in simple terms. Thank you.

[@TechandDesign]

thank you

[@imnotmatthew]

Thanks, great information. Confirmed one of my thoughts of a problem. I got scratches from the sander and I assumed it was because of the vibration not overlapping. And now I know for certain!

[@Pryde551]

Great video. Thanks for posting!

[@DonaldSimsProduction]

Thank you. Just the information I wanted.

[@swimmingduck9905]

Thank you for this superb video! Very helpful!

[@joelthewilliam]

good informative vid. thank you!

[@MichaelCorlew]

Very informative, thank you!

[@necroodin]

Thank you very much, learning alot.

[@NELSONG12]

Great info. I might start with an Random orbiting sander.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

I put a belt on the sander and sand some concrete which takes the edge off the belt before doing fine work. This means I can use my belt sander on more delicate surfaces including veneers. I'd seen people using random orbital sanders but didn't know what they where - many thanks! :o)

[@missingno777]

I literally did not know that straight line sander existed.

[@mariavitoria-dw1hi]

missingno777 io8

[@cid4887]

thanks for the info Sir.

[@watermain48]

Lot's of good information in this short video, thanks.

[@danrose9493]

Excellent Video ... Thanks for the insight ...

[@earthpower19]

Thanks, just needed that info... ive been using quarter sheet with rough grain. And wondered why it didn't do much

[@michaelcarey299]

Wood Workers Your videos are excellent. I wish I watched the belt sander video before I bought my el cheapo, the belt is too narrow and it doesn't have variable speed so I dug it into my table top causing grooves, had to do a lot of sanding to fix it, lesson learned the hard way....

[@imamomwifedaughter]

Thank you! I've just purchased my first palm sander, I should have watched this video first, I would have got the random orbitol sander!

[@chrishadjipetris6059]

I have 2 finishing sanders and I use my angle grinder with disc sandpaper as an orbital sander, but I use the angle grinder only when I cut a piece of wood, and the cut was not accurate. When I want to apply teak oil on my front door, I use the one finishing sander with thick sandpaper and the other finishing sander with thinner sandpaper. First, I remove the previous year's teak oil layer with the thick sandpaper, then I use the other sander with the thinner sandpaper to finish the wood, and then, I apply the teak oil. That's a yearly job, usually in May to the first week of June

[@Wwgoa]

Joe, you can connect many different kinds of shop vacuums to sanders. The key is in making the connection. You can look at home centers and woodworking specialty stores for adapters. I’d start my sanding on oak veneer plywood with 150-grit.

[@martingsilva]

Thank you!

[@andrewdenomme5585]

Thank you sir!

[@ansonriotrockshop5942]

nice tips and advice bro.

[@steveswanson6280]

Thank you! I finally know the difference between a finishing sander and a random orbit sander! It's been oddly hard to find the answer to that question.

[@Wwgoa]

Fantastic!

[@swatisquantum]

That Rigid belt sander looks like a little zamboni. Cute. They both make surfaces smooth and flat. Makes sense.

[@djcvideos]

excellent explanation and differentiation!

[@lynh8859]

Great info - thanks!

[@ralphb.3802]

You go through a lot of sand paper of different grits for a project. That's why I like the quarter sheet sander. Sheet sand paper is the least expensive , the sander gets into the corners and if you keep it moving, no scratch marks. If I have to remove a lot of material I'll use my belt sander or surfoam plane.

[@kobelcofan]

Almost all sanders will, most shop vacs have the same size hose too. I had a belt sander that I attached to my shp vac hose to with duct tape, that worked out pretty well. I hope this helps.

[@Striker50_]

Helps a lot! Seems like random orbital is best for avg projects!

[@coltantcobaltcoppervibrani9697]

Thks

[@charlessciano6663]

thank you! I need to buy a sander. This was helpful.

[@Wwgoa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ricardodelriego4013]

I'm sanding cabinets that have stain and clear coat with a Craftsman random orbital sander with 80 grit paper it was working fine but now it's gouging the wood like it's spinning really fast now or something any ideas? Thank you

[@user-dw9st1jf7s]

Love this sander

[@WildernessPreacher]

Great information, thank you

[@ryansteeler13]

which one would you recommend I'm gonna refinish and stain my son's night stand which one would you recommend and what kind of grit for removal of old stain and to smooth out the surface

[@celiaruiz7]

THANK YOU!!

[@edgarrodriguez2656]

I'm going to sand and stain an electric guitar. Up to what grit should I use and Wich sander? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[@GeorgetteBu]

Thank You.

[@Brandon78B]

Best explanation video!

[@bigjoe2458]

question... do they make random orbital sanders that will hook up to a regular shop vac? A Festool is too expensive. What grit sandpaper would you start with if you were sanding 3/4" oak plywood?

[@iwktwom]

This vid is great, thanks so much

[@VoxFelis]

It's nice to watch a woodworking video without music blaring or some irritating editing.

[@junebug7667]

Thanks man

[@davidperry4013]

My favorite sander is the Festool RO150.

[@AutonomousMoo]

Thank you,

[@68jacen]

Forgot to mention the other feature of the festool straight line sander, you can pick up a molding sponge, and have it conformed to a specialty profile.

[@yubidubi]

Very nice informative video

[@jayeshhirani8619]

I'm looking for a sander to help me with some of my pieces after I put some wood sealer on them. Rn I'm just manually smoothening them using my hand and a piece of paper

[@TheSocialNet]

I am looking for the straight line sander that you show here. I have looked everywhere for it. Where can I get one? This is actually for sanding acrylic handles and need the curve you show as well.

[@KundelCrane]

Don't forget about the Porter Cable Restorer

[@consonantsandvowels1]

I have 5 English Oak slabs that are dried out and full of character. I'm going to go in with a belt sander to remove some serious blade tracks and then to an orbital. How can I really get a high contrast grain to pop?

[@darfboony824]

Use a smoothing plane

[@tassan82]

I need to sand and varnish the two year old wooden fence that came with my house. It is a new build but the fence is obviously a rush job since it is very rough in places. Obviously I need to sand it down before applying the varnish. Am I right in thinking the radial sander is the best one for the job?

[@Wwgoa]

Hi Timothy. I would try this approach, and also a random orbital sander, and see which surface you like better and which one is the most efficient

[@Wayne_C_Kelly_II]

Which Type Of Sander Per Project: Window Frames? Doors? Steps? And Stair-landing? If I Have To Purchase More Than One, I Don't Mind. I Just Want To Be Prepare In Advance.

[@PekayTSG]

Jag rekommenderar Sander -Haveland- Stensson! När han trycker lite extra så fylls alltid vätskan på!

[@jonathanpeterson7456]

Is it worth getting both a 1/4 sander and detail sander?

[@cfreezy45]

I'm trying to strip stain from a nice hardwood door, have all the flat surfaces finished stripped with my orbital sanders but the contours are killing me. I feel like the straight line sander you have would work well. Is that a festool brand?

[@damasydia]

Yes it is

[@AndrewArndts]

What about detail sanders? the ones with the delta wing shaped sand pads

[@vinceking7878]

Andrew Arndts Just another orbital sander

[@oneyellowrabbit]

My horizontal cedar fence is only 4 years old, but the stain I put on has aged into an awful orange colour, which is patchy in places. I'm currently trying to remove it and have been having a tough time because the stain is not actually peeling at all, it seems glued on in places. Would a belt sander be recommended for this job? I worry that the orbiter would really damage that beautiful straight grain.

[@Wwgoa]

Hi. An orbital sander would not damage the grain and would be my choice for this project. A belt sander would be faster but would be harder to handle. I would try both and see which one you are more comfortable with. Either one would do the job. Paul

[@SamirSamir-oq1km]

Thanx for the video.. can anyone plz advise.. if i wanna refinish a wooden garage door do i need to sand it and if yes which sander to use (door size 12 square meter = 130 square foot)? i'm willing to buy an air compressor as i'll also need it for other work

[@Wwgoa]

Hi Samir. Sorry but we do not have refinishing expertise to offer as we are strictly focused on woodworking.

[@Yasar72]

Hi thanks for info , for a timber slab after running a belt sander with120grit inn direction of grain, I can see scratch marks but cannot feel..to remove shall I use random Orbital sander ??

[@Wwgoa]

Great question! I have forwarded your question to our experts. Please allow 1-2 business days for their response. We will post it here. Thanks!

[@Wwgoa]

Hello, That would be a good move, as a ROS is a great finishing sander. Start with 120 grit and progress to your final grit. Paul Woodworkers Guild of America

[@stephmasha]

what would you recommend for a flight of stairs which are rough with patches of old paint? It just needs enough to be painted with an opaque paint. I'm not staining to let the wood grain show through...thank you!

[@Wwgoa]

Hi, Stephanie. I'd suggest a Random Orbital Sander with 80 grit to start, then moving up through grits to 150 or so. You'll need something to get into the corners, and for that I'd suggest either using a detail sander or a scraper.

[@stephmasha]

thanks so much!

[@rolandkuhn7830]

WoodWorkers Guild Of America agreed with your sander recommendation, however, I would suggest starting with a paint remover and thinner to clean the surface first. also drap off the area with plastic to contain the dust and use dust collection.

[@nzzenith]

Iron shaped orbital.

[@vinceking7878]

What about mini belt sanders? Other stuff?

[@darfboony824]

At first i use sanders all the time. I realise that it is just too messy and cost much. Now i use smoothing plane and scrapper.

[@Wwgoa]

You're welcome! Thanks for your note, Guy. And happy woodworking! Feel free to check out more great videos at video dot wwgoa dot com

[@caesar_rex]

My random orbit sander stops with too light pression. Is something i can do about this? Please help

[@nickbrannon3251]

Any reason I can't get away with moving up through the grits on a belt sander and then finishing with a high grit on low speed in the direction of the grain?

[@Wwgoa]

Hi Nick. You can try this approach, but it is harder to remove all of the sanding marks this way compared to a random orbital sander because the ROS randomizes the abrasive pattern and hides marks better.

[@ben_lyngdoh]

I feel, Finish Sanders are best for beginners. They remove material a lot slower and allows users to see how the work is going. Much less chance for a mistake. The scratching part can be managed by not running it in any particular spot for too long.

[@MGL83]

So what type of sander would be best for work like removing paint from a guitar? The random or line one?

[@Wwgoa]

If you’re talking about a solid body electric guitar, a random orbit sander would be a good choice. It’s best to have a machine with variable speed. That will allow you to run at a low RPM so you have good control of material removal. The RO sander will work on flat areas, but you’ll end up hand sanding contours. An acoustic? This is dicey. I’ve used a random orbit to remove old finish from the back and front of acoustics, but went with hand sanding on the dreadnought shape. You’ve got to be extremely careful of any veneer, which could apply to an electric or an acoustic, as it will be easy to go right through the veneer by over sanding. If the guitar has value and there’s any question in your mind about this working, I’d let a pro do it. Look for luthiers in your area.

[@MGL83]

Thanks for good info. I'll go for an RO then. I'm working on a Harley Benton bass worth 150 euros that once arrived turned out that paint job was horrible. I decided to redo it myself as fun project. If I mess it up, it's not much loss. I removed most of the paint and veneer, but there's still lots of sanding needed and my arm can't handle it anymore. :)

[@KundelCrane]

MGL Porter Cable Restorer

[@Harrysound]

In the next video could you also tell us about the benefits and downsides to a Bernie Sander?

[@baymeosplit8537]

That would take several videos

[@batarang87]

I own a Makita BO4552 1/4 Sheet Finishing Sander, a Porter Cable 5" 390K Low Profile ROS and a PC 7346 6" Right Angle ROS. Both Random Orbit Sanders are Hook and Loop, I have sworn off PSA Sandpaper on ROSs.

[@medo3a]

i decided to buy random orbital sander but which power should i go with high power with front hand grip or low power with palm grip

[@Wwgoa]

Great question! I will ask our expert and get back to you here.

[@Wwgoa]

Here is a response from Paul! It depends what type of sanding you will mostly be doing. I use my larger more powerful ROS for sanding large flat surfaces such as a table top, whereas I find my smaller ROS handy for sanding smaller contoured surfaces. If I only had one, I would go with the smaller one, because I'd rather sand a large surface with a small sander than vise versa. Paul

[@ederangelo21]

do you have video movei 4 machines working ?

[@Rambo681]

So, you’d need 5 different sanders for one job?

[@enriquec.7057]

Where are the links?

[@ABADMAN85]

where can i find the inline sander like yours?

[@durantalegri6222]

Festool

[@Jack-fs2im]

too much choice.aaargh.great vid but I,m still no sure.Think the 3rd one.thanx

[@harshitamittal3490]

Straight line sander - which company you suggest ?

[@Wwgoa]

Hello. That's not a tool that I personally use, but here's one that gets rave reviews: amzn.to/2lHcuS8 Thanks Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America

[@arimadx]

I'm using a square shaped sander and I cant for the life of me get the swirl marks out. I'm on my 3rd resand on a set of tables. I thought I got them out, stained, then realized I didnt.

[@danortiz51]

would a belt sander be ok to sand a small floor

[@nickbrannon3251]

Yes

[@chavenyenketswamy1498]

Its an orbital sander the correct tool to remove paint from concrete balustrades?

[@Wwgoa]

An Expert will answer your question in 1-2 business days. Thanks!

[@Wwgoa]

This is not something that we have experience with. You might want to contact a construction supply company or construction woodworking forum with this question.

[@anthonyladuca8165]

the one choice for me when in work study they thought how use it palm sender

[@stephaniewarren9285]

Do you ever recommend the detail sanders like the Mouse?

[@Wwgoa]

Hi Stephanie, I'm sure that there are probably scenarios where this type of tool makes sense, but I owned one for 10 years and never found a single occasion to use it. So, I can't say that I generally recommend it. The more common sanders are Random Orbital Sanders, such as this: amzn.to/3rlaRpu. Or palm sanders (which is more similar to a mouse sander), such as this: amzn.to/3aupDTP Best of luck, Paul Woodworkers Guild of America

[@stephaniewarren9285]

@@Wwgoa Thank you!

[@gphilipc2031]

I had a little "Sand Cat" belt sander that I liked...of COURSE it was stolen.

[@stevenchavez5979]

My daughter calls my sander Bernie Sander.

[@amfortas]

Does it regularly break down?

[@wentasticmathematics1340]

It takes sandpaper away from your other sanders, and has never worked a day in its life?