|
If there is a mechanism that will make something shake, it has probably been
used in an attempt to make sanding easier. Here are the most common:
Palm
Palm sanders have been around for a long time and are also called pad or
finishing sanders. The better ones oscillate or orbit. The cheaper ones just
vibrate. These sanders are best used for finish sanding as they remove stock
slowly. These work that these sanders perform are measured in orbits/min.
Random-Orbital
These sanders are an improvement on the better palm sanders and are very
versatile. They work by attaching the pad to a bearing and counterweight which
is then attached off-center to the drive motor (like the orbital). These
sanders do not leave a predictable pattern and work without regard to the grain
of the wood. They have holes in the sanding pad to allow dust collection via a
bag, canister or shop vac. The sand paper adheres to the pad via an adhesive or
Hook and Loop (like Velcro). If you have a choice, get a sander that uses hook
& loop paper. Newer models have a pad brake that stops the pad when it is
not in contact with the work surface. There are also right-angle versions of
these sanders.
Belt
Kings of stock removal. Belt sanders
have a drum in front and back that the sandpaper belt runs on like a tank
tread. The belt runs over a platen which provides a flat sanding surface.
These are versatile machines that can perform jobs from stock removal to
touching up floors. Some models also have a knob to control the tracking of the
belt from side to side. They usually have a port on the top or side to allow
for dust collection. When using these sanders on wood, make sure you work with
the grain!
Detail
Detail sanders are usually a type of orbital sander that has a smaller (often
interchangeable) tip. The cheaper ones just vibrate. They are good for inside
corners, moldings and other hard to sand areas. The sand paper usually uses
some sort of adhesive to stick to the sanding pad. The more expensive models
(sometimes called profile sanders) have interchangeable tips that allow the user
to easily sand moldings and other contoured pieces.
|
