Wood sander: the choice of a home craftsman. How to choose a sander for wood: types and scope of application Vibrating surface sander for wood to choose

Construction or renovation work is not complete without purchasing a wood sander. But which one should you choose? Most often, the tool is selected according to the ability to work with a specific material, the size of the area to be treated, and the presence of hard-to-reach areas.
For professional construction or renovation work, you need a high-performance wood sander.
Grinding machines for wood are:

• tape;
• vibrating;
• orbital;
• corner;
• renovators.

Belt sander for wood

It helps to quickly remove large layers of material, polish boards, grind parts fittings.
These units have high power and allow you to quickly and efficiently cope with large areas, and the master must have professional skill in working with such a tool so as not to spoil the result.

Vibrating Wood Grinder

The larger the area of \u200b\u200bthe work sole, the faster you can grind a particular area. Usually the outsole is rectangular, but some models have a triangular wedge for working in hard-to-reach areas. The higher the vibration speed of the grinder, the lower the quality of the grinding.

Eccentric (orbital) sander for wood

Eccentric CMM is designed for fine processing in the final stage of working with wooden objects.
The design of the orbital sander helps to produce circular and translational motion of the sanding pad.
One of the varieties of eccentric grinders, the delta grinder, has a delta-shaped working surface, which makes it easier to work in hard-to-reach areas.

Angle grinders for wood

LBMs are very efficient in work, thanks to the efficient motor and high speed of rotation of the grinding disc.

Renovators for woodworking

LBM does not know how to work with internal corners. Renovators (multifunctional tools) are more suitable for this.
Renovator is able to:

• polish;
• create slots;
• clean walls, floors and ceilings from linoleum, tiles, paint, plaster.

Manufacturers are constantly working to increase the functionality of the renovators. Depending on the model, the renovator can operate either from the mains or from a battery.

Where to buy an inexpensive wood sander

You can buy a wood sander inexpensively in the Shuriki online store. A wood sander, the price of which will not devastate your budget, is already waiting for you!

The wood sander is an indispensable tool for finishing work. Thanks to its use, the process of polishing and grinding wooden surfaces is significantly accelerated. The unit itself is convenient and compact, which makes it possible not only quickly, but also to level the walls, floor, furniture and other wooden surfaces with high quality.

At the moment, there are four types of grinding machines, which differ in the field of application, design, principle of operation and other criteria. The following types of grinding machines can be used for carpentry and joinery, as well as repair and construction work:

1. LShM - belt grinders;
2. VShM - vibration grinders;
3. OShM - orbital sander;
4. Delta sander.

The choice of the machine is directly influenced by the scale of the work to be done (for home or professional use).

Belt sander

The belt sander is ideal for professional use.

The belt-type design includes two rollers (leading and driven), which, in the course of their movement, actuate the belt attached to the tool sole. Depending on its pricing policy, this tape can be made of various materials.

An important technical characteristic of all grinders is their speed of operation, which depends directly on the power of a particular model. For LSM, this value can be in the range from 500 W to 1200 W at a speed of 75-500 m per minute. Most of the manufacturing firms equip their products with a special regulator to control the belt speed.

The dimensions and other features of this tape also depend on the capabilities of the tool. Therefore, in the selection process, the following factors must be taken into account:

1. Lenght and width. The more their values, the more functional the model is. However, with the growth of these indicators, the weight of the machine, as well as its parameters, increases.
2. Granularity. Usually, professionals recommend having in stock several of their varieties, which are designed for fine and rough grinding. Thus, you can count on the expected result of the work.

In general, LShM are industrial units with a sufficiently high power. With their help, large areas can be processed in a short period of time and, as a result, a perfectly smooth surface is obtained. It will be difficult for a person without experience to operate the grinder, which can lead to damage to the wooden surface.

The belt-type machines are ideal for rough and fast processing of wood, metal and plastic surfaces.

Vibratory sander

The most popular of all grinders.

In terms of the frequency of processing wooden surfaces, the vibration machine is slightly inferior to the belt type. With its help, the final (finishing) stage of grinding wooden, plastic, metal or stone flat surfaces occurs.

The main part of the machine is a plate, which makes frequent reciprocating movements. The very same shaft rotation is translated into translational movements of the platform due to the vertically located motor.

What to look for when choosing this tool:

• Outsole quality. The sander should have a perfectly flat, high-quality sole with a clear geometry. Cheaper options include a plastic or steel platform, while more expensive options include magnesium and aluminum alloys.
• The material from which the pad is made. A porous polymer pad is considered best, while rubber works worse with a plane.

The vibratory sander processes any surface with high quality. This is the best option for processing hard-to-reach places.

Orbital sander

The Bosch GEX 125–150 AVE model has 400 W of power, which can easily stretch the sole up to 15 square meters. cm.

The orbital or eccentric machine features a round sole, while the sanding element itself is attached with a special Velcro. The unit includes a counterweight and an eccentric that drive the sole in multiple directions.

The product can work in two ways:

1. By orbiting;
2. By rotating along the axis.

Axial movement in most models occurs by inertia, less often - by force. As a result of its complex movement and the high speed of the machine, a high quality surface is obtained without any single flaws. Dust is discharged to the outside through special holes on the grinding wheel and on the sole itself. To collect it, containers or a vacuum cleaner are used.

Features of the models:

• The power of the grinder can vary between 200-900 watts. The higher the value, the more productive the tool will be.

• The speed of the forward motion. Adjustable grinders can have this indicator in the range of 4000-14000 rpm, without adjustment - up to 12000 rpm.
• Sole type. If a delicate sanding is required, then you should not choose a large sole, which also has a dead zone and an amplitude of up to 7 mm. For convex surfaces, it is advisable to use an elastic pad.

The compact outsole is capable of handling even hard-to-reach surfaces.

• Plate material. The best choice is a metal plate, which has high strength and reliability, conducts heat well, and is also particularly stable.

The orbital type is designed to carry out the polishing and grinding process at a high level.

Delta sander

This type of sander is designed for processing surfaces not only made of wood, but also metal, plastic and stone. According to principle

Compact and versatile delta sander.

work they are similar to vibration models. Their feature is the shape of the plate, which makes it possible to perform high-quality grinding work even in hard-to-reach places.

The movements of the sole are carried out at high speed and have a reciprocating appearance. For both home and professional use, it is advisable to choose a powerful model with the ability to adjust the speed of its operation. Thus, it becomes possible to work with several types of surfaces.

A wide range of modern products allows you to choose models with special holes for removing dust, the ability to install additional attachments, rotating soles and other features of work.

The delta sander is designed for polishing and cleaning any surface, even in hard-to-reach places.

• Important details. Before choosing a particular model, it is worth checking all moving parts for backlash, as well as the degree of accuracy of fitting the body components.
• Noise and vibration levels. To evaluate these indicators, it is worthwhile to include the selected model directly in the store. This is the only way to evaluate the performance of its work.
• The cost of components. It is worth clarifying in advance what the cost of possible repairs, consumables and components that may be needed in the process of work will be.

Do not rush into choosing a sander. Only after carefully weighing all the pros and cons, you can purchase a quality tool that allows you to carry out repair work at a high level.

We devoted our previous articles to screwdrivers, grinders, chain saws, jigsaws, mixers, spray guns, cross-cutters, jackhammers, perforators. Today, all our attention will be focused on the tool, wielding emery.

To grind or age a wooden part, remove paint and varnish, remove rust, grind off burrs, rub putty, process plastic, polish a stone - all this and much more can be done with modern grinding machines. So, we offer the slogan: "Choose a grinder with us, choose like us, choose better than us!"

Grinding: This process is unpleasant for many, even at the mere mention of it. What can I say, grinding is a monotonous, time-consuming, painstaking, dusty, sometimes noisy, slightly harmful, but, unfortunately, inevitable operation. Modern requirements for finishing work have reached unprecedented heights, no one doubts the fact that the planes should be perfectly flat and smooth. Finishing high-tech coatings are increasingly striving for a thin layer and only emphasize the shortcomings of the base. Even enlarged, with a ready-made decorative coating, sheet building materials have to be connected, followed by filling / puttying or sealing the seam, followed by grinding. Domestic builders, finishers and shop workers (manufacturers of furniture, "carpentry", stone products, bulk polymers, metal) slowly but surely get used to new standards, previously unknown.

Fortunately, the materiel has not lagged behind for long: a highly specialized, relatively inexpensive tool - grinding machines, which we cannot do without, helps the workers to cope with the task at hand. The painfully familiar emery, fixed on a wooden block, or squeezed in the hands, remained in the past. The foremost workers of capitalist production have produced a lot, a lot of wonderful professional grinding machines designed for any occasions, not depriving home craftsmen who are fond of creating something with their own hands. It is really not difficult to understand the variety of grinders and make the right choice, the main thing is to know what a particular tool is intended for, and also clearly understand what tasks you will set for a grinder.

It is customary to distinguish between three main types of grinding machines: belt, eccentric (orbital), surface grinding (vibration). All of them have their own specialization and form a kind of cascade of possibilities, directed from fast rough processing to delicate finishing sanding. Many of those who are closely related to grinding "on duty" have in their arsenal a complete set of tools of this class. Belt sanders are heavy artillery for removing large layers from large surfaces. FSHM are focused on finishing. And ESHM are capable of giving an even better quality result, bordering on polishing, but, in comparison with vibration machines, they have a different principle of operation and a different filling.

Belt Sanders

Above, we inadvertently called the belt sander heavy artillery, in fact, it would be more appropriate to say "tank". The working element of this well-recognized tool is an abrasive belt glued together in the form of an endless ring, which moves along two end rollers and clearly resembles a tracked vehicle track. Such units are relatively powerful, they have a relatively simple, reliable design (bevel gear plus V-belt transmission), a low center of gravity, and a solid speed of movement of the abrasive material. With the help of a belt sander, you can easily remove a layer of material a few millimeters, make an edge or rounding on a workpiece, remove old paintwork or rust. She is subject to: wood, metal, polymers, mineral building materials ... Clean the floors of paint - yes, correct the planed timber - please, align the plastered wall with the marriage - no problem. However, it should be understood that high performance is not the best friend of quality, there will certainly be scratches and sinks. For finishing sanding it will be necessary to use an orbital or surface sander.

It is no secret that the power consumption of its motor directly affects the performance of an electric tool - the higher it is, the more we can squeeze out of a particular unit. In the case of LSHM, the consumer has the opportunity to choose from models with a motor from 0.5 to 1.2 kW (Skil Masters 7660MA - 1200 W).

Please note that the instrument of Chinese brands is often declared with overestimated engine power ratings, or, if there really are sounded watts, then they are not balanced with the rest of the device's characteristics. Record power is praised by those manufacturers who have nothing more to show, except perhaps the great weight and bulkiness of the "unique" product.

The next important characteristic for a belt sander is speed. Obviously, it also needs to be taken into account to determine the capabilities of the instrument. A fast car will do more, but it will not succeed in pinning it down unless the outstanding speed is supported by additional power. It's all to blame for the notorious torque, which says that the more speed the tool has, the less force remains. A responsible manufacturer carefully balances these characteristics, makes them mutually mutable, which is sometimes the responsibility of smart electronics. The belt speed in these grinders can be in the range of 150-550 meters per minute (Fiolent MShL1-100 - 550 m / min.).

The question may arise, why even produce nimble, but relatively weak-powered LSM? It's just that a super-productive (fast and at the same time strong) car is more difficult to control, it is heavier, larger, more expensive. She, if pressed too much, can easily ruin the workpiece. In turn, maneuverable high-speed light weights are convenient in a short time, often "on site", to process a large surface area. If you do not yet know what loads await the grinder, choose a slower model that you can apply a little pressure on, so it will be more versatile. Even more versatile are LSMs with the ability to preset the speed mode (Sparky MBS 976, DeWalt DW433). Among them there are options with smooth or step adjustments.

It's time to say about electronic systems that help in the work of belt sanders. These machines are not rich in electronic stuffing, compared to other types of electrical tools. This is usually limited to adjusting the belt speed. The switch responsible for this function is performed in the form of a slider or a wheel with divisions. There are models with overheating protection (Metabo BAE 75). With some stretch, this includes the function of fixing the start button in the on position.

Much more interesting is the case with mechanical "bells and whistles". The kit may include a stand or special clamps designed for stationary fastening of the tool (very convenient for processing small parts). The sanding frame serves as a kind of stop that helps to avoid damage to the workpiece. A rip fence or miter fence is useful for getting a precise bevel or flat, parallel surface. The thin front roller in some LShM (Black & Decker KA88) has a small diameter, which allows to minimize the dead zone in the inner corners. Automatic centering of the belt (the tricky barrel shape of one of the rollers) does not allow the latter to treacherously slide at the most inopportune moment. An additional handle with a variable inclination or removable will significantly increase the functionality of the machine in "clamped" places - sometimes noticeably.

Special attention should be paid to the dimensions of the working plane - the sole, respectively, the length and width of the tape. Wide soles (100 mm) are characteristic of powerful professional models, making them more stable and productive. The hobby class is usually limited to 75 millimeters. The long and wide sole of expensive LSHM has a complex structure, consisting of a substrate and an elastic plate, which allows you to have constant uniform contact of emery with the part, such a tool “holds the plane” well. It is necessary to mention the "ribbons" with narrow accessories - these are the so-called "electric files", which do not differ in great power and versatility, but specialists appreciate them for their unprecedented compactness (for example, Makita 9032 with a tape only 9 mm wide).

The dust removal system is available in all draw frames, but not all of them work equally effectively. The fight against dust is carried out either using a vacuum cleaner connected through the nozzle, or by collecting it in a bag, built-in filter. Of course, a vacuum cleaner is preferable, especially when sanding mineral substrates. In super-cheap models, the impeller, which is responsible for air intake, cannot cope with its function, the channels quickly become clogged, and a lot of harmful "flour" remains in the air.

Surface grinding (vibration) machines

If we take into account the cleanliness of the processing of parts, then surface grinders occupy an intermediate position between belt and orbital. With their help, they carry out the final grinding of flat surfaces made of a wide variety of materials - plastic, wood, stone, metal ... Due to the relatively large working plane, the PSHM is suitable for working with serious quadrature. The secret of the popularity of vibrating grinders lies in their moderate cost, accessibility of tooling elements, as well as in the absence of dead zones of processing (a flat outboard sole easily processes corners).

The main working body of a surface grinder is a plate, which, with a small amplitude, makes frequent reciprocating movements. The motor in such machines is located vertically, which makes it possible with the help of the "eccentric-counterweight" tandem to translate the rotational movements of the shaft into the translational movements of the platform.

Most vibrating grinders traditionally boast a motor with a power of 150-300 W, they are quite maneuverable, moderately light and compact. This level of power plant is almost always sufficient. However, such a consensus of manufacturers would be at least strange - there are models with a capacity of up to 600 W (Makita 9046). They are, of course, heavier and larger, but they can work at low speeds for a long time without overheating.

The most important indicator of PSHM is the amplitude of the sole stroke. It may differ in different models, although it is invariably a relatively small value. On average in the class, the platform moves by 1-3 mm, in more mobile models, figures of 5-6 mm may appear (Festool RS 100). A large amplitude helps to sand the surface faster, but it will also be rougher.

Another nuance is the frequency of the sole stroke. At high speeds, the machine quickly removes a relatively thicker layer, while at lower speeds it is easier to achieve a precise finish sanding. Some manufacturers make the platform movement frequency variable, exceeding the 20,000 strokes per minute mark (Bosch GSS 280 AE L-BOXX), which allows it to adapt to the processing of various types of materials, to the characteristics of specific surfaces.

When choosing a vibratory sander, special attention must be paid to the platform. With its dimensions, everything is quite simple, there are two options: a kind of "standard" and "mini" models - the area of \u200b\u200bthe plate is about 100 mm 2 (Makita BO4557, Sparky MP 250). Toddlers are good for tight, tight spaces. Obviously, the outsole must be of high quality, perfectly flat, with clear geometric shapes. Low-cost cars are equipped with a platform made of steel or high-strength plastic, and more expensive counterparts are equipped with cast platforms made of alloys containing aluminum or magnesium (Festool RS 100). A good sole is characterized by accurate balancing, which is easily determined by low vibration during no load (idle). It is important what the pad is made of, the most suitable option is a porous polymer, it is better than rubber, it "holds" the plane.

Vibrating grinders with a deltoid platform are distinguished into a separate class; they are popularly called "iron" (Hitachi SV12SH, Makita BO4565). Due to their miniature size and good "cross-country ability" they are used for processing objects with small details and complex surfaces, such as furniture, woodwork, elements of stairs, car body. Their triangular platforms are rotatable - you can continue to work with an uneven "eaten" emery petal (Festool Deltex DX 93E) or removable (with a quick installation of another type of platform - for concave / convex surfaces, for structuring, polishing, rubbing).

Emery can be attached to the site in different ways. It is more convenient when the paper is fixed with Velcro, but special equipment is relatively expensive. The version with spring-loaded clamps is somewhat more complicated, but you can use inexpensive sanding paper, cut with your own hands (you just have to make holes in the right places for dust extraction).

Fighting fine dust, which inevitably forms when using a sander, presents many challenges for developers. They have to work hard to protect all mechanisms. In this case, a special sealing of the motor, protected bearings and switches, an impermeable housing, a duct system with a forced dust extraction are used. So that dust is removed from the working area and does not saturate the air, it is sent to a collection bag or filter, in most cases a vacuum cleaner can be connected to the nozzle - this is the most effective method of protection.

Eccentric (orbital) sanders

This type of grinder is designed for high quality processing. Delicate sanding and even polishing is their element, although the performance of such machines can be no less impressive than that of vibrating machines. They will cope with any material, most often you will find ESHM at wood craftsmen, car painters. In work with profile, volumetric, curved objects, eccentric grinders have no equal, they also have no problems with planes. The only place where such a machine will fail is in the corners and shallow recesses - the "plate" simply cannot reach there.

As well as surface grinding units, "orbitals" have an eccentric and a counterweight, with the help of which a circular grinding plate performs not only movement around its axis, but also in an "orbit" with a small amplitude. Interestingly, the axial movement usually occurs by inertia, and in some models, it is forced (by means of a gear transmission - Kress 900 MPS). Such a complex movement of the working blade, coupled with the highest rotation speed, just allows you to get a surface of excellent quality, without grooves, waves and scratches.

From 200 to 900 watts - this is how much the motors of modern ESM consume. Those that are more powerful, of course, will be more productive, they can easily pull a larger sole, up to 150 mm in diameter (for example, a 400-watt Bosch GEX 125-150 AVE or Interskol EShM-150 / 600E).

Bosch GEX 125-150 AVE

Orbital vehicles also have differences in the speed of forward motion. If we talk about rotation, then this figure can be from 4 to 14 thousand eccentric revolutions per minute for models with adjustment (Metabo SXE 425), and about 12,000 for models without it. If we talk about the concept of "fluctuation" - then these figures will be half as much. In fact, everything is simple here, the higher the speed, the rougher the processing will be, but the faster you can get the job done.

The eccentric of orbital machines may not have the same "span" - from 2 to 7 mm (Festool WTS 150/7 E-Plus). This is called the wobble amplitude. The smaller it is, the less vibration the device generates, the more compact the plate goes, the less area we process, but the cleaner the grinding will be. In some ESM, the operator can set a certain amplitude, affecting the productivity and fineness of grinding.

Compared to their counterparts (LShM and PShM), "orbiters" are usually well packed with electronics. We have already talked about setting the speed and amplitude, in addition to this, the professional instrument is equipped with an automatic frequency control system (Bosch GEX 150 Turbo) so that it does not fall under load - this is a constant electronics. Some models are equipped with an electrodynamic brake (AEG EX150ED K), which immediately stops the work plate after the start button is deactivated, preventing damage to the workpiece and reducing the possibility of injury. For powerful professional machines, an inrush current limiter can be provided (Makita BO6040 ), which smoothly accelerates the tool, preventing a starting jerk and protecting the network from a short-term, but several times increased load.

Very nice options include a detachable mains cable, an adjustable or detachable front handle, locking the start button, and functional dust extraction.

Be sure to pay attention to the type of sanding pad. Firstly, if you need a particularly delicate treatment, do not chase after a large plate, by the way, it has a larger dead zone and an amplitude of about 5-7 mm. The plate, made of metal, is stable, highly durable and has excellent heat dissipation. The resilient saucer works well with convex surfaces. They all have Velcro for fixing the emery and dust suction holes. These holes from individual manufacturers may be different in size, number and location, on this basis, you need to select the appropriate equipment.

If the financial issue is not the least important, then for a home workshop, you can purchase a model from the category of "hobby". Quite good copies are offered by Makita, Black & Decker, Skil, Sparky, Bosch. Look in the direction of the domestic manufacturer - Interskol, Fiolent have noticeably improved in terms of the quality and functionality of their instrument.

Pay attention to the weight and dimensions of the product of interest, especially if a lot of work is planned "in place", by weight, with outstretched arms. Give preference to a not too powerful car, but a faster one, it will be lighter, more compact and cheaper. But for the regular performance of operations on the workbench, the large weight of the device will be more a plus than a minus.

Be sure to thoroughly "feel" the grinder, find the most suitable for you in terms of ergonomics. Decide on the type of main and additional handle, most likely you will have to choose between "mushroom" and "bracket". See if the switches are conveniently located and how they work, how easy it is to change accessories, and if the power cord is getting in the way.

Check the moving parts of the product for play. Look at the accuracy of the fit of the body parts. Turn on the machine in the tool magazine, at least at idle speed, assess the level of noise and vibration. Ask about the cost, assortment and interchangeability of consumables.

Weigh all the pros and cons, do not rush to make a choice, then the entire repair will go smoothly.

On the farm, you often have to grind something, clean off the old paintwork. Most of the work is with wood. Few manufacturers sell perfect pieces. Perhaps a carpenter. And if there are perfectly processed boards, then their price is such that you will inevitably want to polish them yourself. Even considering the fact that the work is boring and uninteresting. Therefore, a wood sander is one of the tools that should be in the home arsenal.

Types, purpose, features of work

There are different types of grinders that do the same job, but with different results. There is a tool for rough (preliminary), medium (intermediate) and fine (finishing) grinding. Part of the instrument can even perform.

To choose a wood sander, you first need to decide what type of work you need it for. For rough sanding - leveling unevenness, height differences - one type is suitable, for finishing sanding - bringing to the ideal - another type. Moreover, both tasks can be solved using different types of equipment.

LBM - angle grinder

The well-known grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the function of rough grinding. Of all the tools available, this one is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces - grinding the floor, walls, logs - this is the work for angle grinders. Minus - the surface is very uneven, it takes a long time to align all the pits and humps. If it still "passes" on the log house, then the result is unsatisfactory for any joinery work. If only there is an opportunity to purchase another tool, you should not use an angle grinder for grinding wood.

Red emery wheels are used for wood - this is a special abrasive

For the grinder, there are special attachments for grinding wood. The best option is flap discs or discs with different grit sandpaper. When installed, the working plane is below the protective cover, it is safe to work, you can move in any direction. Carefully it is necessary to handle places with protruding heads of nails and screws. We lower the tool from above, carefully move it. The grinding wheel easily breaks with a sharp movement, so be careful.

By varying the grain size of the used grinding wheels, it is possible to carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than any other wood sander. But it may take more time to bring it to a flat surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.

When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged, the speed of work decreases. In addition to a decrease in speed, there is another sign - the smell of burnt wood. It is not necessary to replace the disk immediately; you can restore its operability. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything adhered - resin, wood fibers, dust - burns, the surface is cleaned, and the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders as well.

If you have to clean and change the circles often, a Velcro attachment is installed on the grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster - unpinning / sticking is a matter of seconds. But working with a nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing, it does not perform its functions. During the start, it happens that an unreliably fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They have a small weight, injuries are not serious, but they are still injuries. The angle grinder with a smooth start helps to reduce the risks, but, all the same, you need to work in gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your legs, and goggles.

Belt sander

It is called so due to the fact that the sandpaper is in the form of a tape, continuously moving with the help of rollers. Therefore, such a sander for wood is also called "endless".

Wood belt sander is designed for rough and intermediate leveling of the surface. By installing a finer grit sandpaper, a medium finish can be achieved. This is sufficient for joinery that cannot be painted. To bring it to perfect condition, you need a different type of wood sander. Moreover, to eliminate long longitudinal scratches, you will have to carry out stepwise grinding, changing the grain several times - the scratches remain deep.

A belt sander is good if you need to remove the old coating - paint varnish

Why is a wood belt sander good? It has good performance. The tape is installed on it in such a way that it turns out to be sanded close to the wall with one side. What are its disadvantages? Due to the design, not all points can be reached. For example, corners, grooves, grooves and other small parts. It is not always possible to "crawl" between two parts (when processing handrails, for example). Another drawback is that most of the belt sanders have a solid mass, it is difficult to work with them on weight, sanding vertical surfaces. But on the horizontal plane - they are the most productive.

The next disadvantages are high noise level, not the largest sanding spot. It makes so much noise that it is extremely uncomfortable to work without headphones. Why a small polishing spot, because it looks large enough? Even with a large belt width, it grinds only in the center - the part at the front and back is not used due to the fact that it is raised to feed onto the rollers.

The wood belt sander has features in work. To reduce the depth of the furrows that it leaves, it must be driven along the fibers. Then finishing sanding takes less time. And one more thing - if you gape in the process of work and leave the machine in one place for a long time, a solid "pit" will form. Despite this, it is the most productive wood sander that is often used.

Orbital (eccentric)

Orbital sander for wood has a round sole with Velcro, on which sandpaper discs are attached. The discs are the same as for the grinder, so they are interchangeable. There are holes in the sole of the machine for removing dust. Dust is collected in a bag, a cassette-type container, almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.

The work of an eccentric sander for wood is based on the simultaneous rotation and movement back and forth (reciprocating movements). This achieves a sufficiently good speed for intermediate and finishing wood processing. When working with this type of grinder, the platform moves in a spiral or orbit. Therefore, this tool is also called orbital grinders.

Eccentric sanders are good for curved or profiled surfaces - the machine is light in weight, makes little noise, is easy to control, the angle of the disc can be used to reach grooves, scraps, etc. With all this, she also handles large planes at a good pace. When installing coarse sanding paper, it can be used for coarse and intermediate sanding. The speed is less than that of the tape, but also quite acceptable. There are such cars with different radius of movement (eccentricity) - from 3 to 8 mm. Selecting this parameter and determine the main purpose (more on this below).

The disadvantages of this type of machines are the impossibility of processing in the corners. The round platform is simply not included there. Also, there is a zone of uncertain polishing at the edges - it will not be possible to polish close to a wall or a vertical surface.

Vibrating

The sole of the vibration sander can be rectangular or triangular. During operation, it makes circular movements with a small amplitude - it vibrates, which gave the name to this type of equipment. This wood sander is used for fine finishing - for varnishing or painting, but has a low productivity.

A vibrating sander for wood with a rectangular surface allows you to process large areas, but with its help it is impossible to sand wood near vertical planes and walls - it starts to beat against an obstacle. Triangular in this regard is more suitable for working in corners and hard-to-reach places, but you still cannot bring it tightly to the wall.

Another drawback of vibrating systems is the so-called "lambs". If a grain of sand or other solid fragment gets under the surface, it leaves small circles on the wood - "lambs". Removing these marks is difficult. It is necessary to use sanding paper of increasingly fine grain, gradually removing scratches. But if in the process something gets under the sole again, the process is repeated again. Therefore, before work, the surface is thoroughly cleaned and the plyosos is usually connected - for quick and timely removal of extraneous fragments.

Oscillating

Strictly speaking, this is not a grinder, but it can be grinded. Moreover, those places that are inaccessible for other types of machines - corners (even sharp), places directly at the vertical walls. For grinding, a special-shaped triangular platform is installed on the tool, on which sandpaper is fixed on a self-adhesive base.

During operation, the platform moves in a horizontal plane with a very small amplitude - the vertices of the triangle deviate by about 1.7 ° (this is an average of 2.5 mm). Due to this small movement, grinding occurs. This machine can be used to sand in corners and close to vertical surfaces. Moreover, you can remove not only wood, but also smeared and dried glue. In general, an oscillating machine is used for finishing sanding in hard-to-reach places - due to its low productivity and a grinding spot, it is unrealistic to process more or less large surfaces with it.

What type of sander to choose

To summarize, we can say that for housework and construction, ideally, two grinders are needed - for a rough and a fine finish. The most commonly used pair is tape + eccentric. If you are planning to make furniture, then you cannot do without oscillation.

If you do not like the result of a belt sander, you can purchase two orbital ones with different eccentricities. For rough grinding, a tool with an eccentricity of 6-8 mm is suitable, for finishing grinding and even polishing - 2-4 mm. The only drawback of this solution is that good eccentric sander is expensive.

If the budget is limited, and the farm has a grinder (angle grinder), rough grinding can be done with it, and for intermediate or fine grinding, use orbital or vibration. Just keep in mind that vibration is the least productive, albeit the cheapest. If possible, buy an orbital one - it is more versatile and gives better results.

Technical selection criteria

Any tool is divided into classes that differ in labor resource (and price). So a wood sander can be household or professional. Household ones are designed for short continuous work with interruptions. Basically, it is recommended to work no more than 3 hours a day, periodically taking breaks of 15 minutes.

Professional models are designed to work for 8-12 hours, breaks are rarely needed or not needed at all. The working resource of such a tool is many times greater. For this, durable and reliable (read - expensive) materials are used. In addition, the performance of such equipment is much higher, as a rule, there are more adjustments.

When choosing, the first thing to decide is what class your car should be. I must say that some manufacturers have a good household class, and some also have semi-professional lines. This is an intermediate class, as a rule, for private use it is optimal in terms of price / quality combination. Some models are even used by professionals.

General selection options

Although wood sanders differ, there are general points to consider when choosing. Here they are:

These are general points to pay attention to. Now about what is important for different types of grinding machines.

Tape

When choosing a belt grinding, you need to look at the following parameters:

You also need to pay attention to how convenient it is to change the tape. There are also models that allow you to quickly change the brushes. Sometimes spare brushes are even included.

Popular models of belt sander

Manufacturer	Model	Power	Belt dimensions (width / length)	Belt speed	Weight	Price
Interskol	LShM-76/900	900 watts	76 mm / 533 mm	250 m / min	3.2 kg	55-90 $
Makita	9911	650 Wt	76 mm / 457 mm	270 m / min	2.6 kg	100-150$
Bosch	PBS 75 AE	750 watts	75 mm / 533 mm	350 m / min	3.5 kg	120-160$
Interskol	LShM-100 / 1200E	1200 watts	100 mm / 610 mm	400 m / min	5.6 kg	100-150$
Makita	9404	1010 Wt	100 mm / 610 mm	440 m / min	4.7 kg	200-270$

Eccentric (orbital)

In addition to all the general parameters described, there are some nuances in choosing an eccentric machine for sanding wood:

The selected model still needs to be tested in the store. To do this, place an emery disc on the platform and turn on the tool. The vibration should not be felt at all. This means that it is well balanced and will work comfortably.

Popular Eccentric Sanders

Manufacturer	Model	Power	Disk rotation speed	Platform vibration frequency	Disk size	Platform stroke (eccentricity)	Price
Makita	BO5031	300 watts	12000 rpm	24000 rpm	125 mm	2.8 mm	90-120 $
Makita	BO5041	300 watts	12000 rpm	24000 rpm	125 mm	3 mm	100-200$
Metabo	SXE 450 TurboTec	350 watts	13100 rpm	8500 rpm	150 mm	6.2 mm	185-220$
Bosch	GEX 150 AC	340 watts	12000 rpm	24000 rpm	150 mm	4 mm	175-220$
Bosch	GEX 125-1 AE Box	250 watts	12000 rpm	24000 rpm	125 mm	2.5 mm	70-90$

Vibrating

The first step is to choose the shape of the sole. It can be rectangular (most often), square or ironing. The system for attaching the sandpaper is clamping here, just a piece of sandpaper of the required size is pulled and fixed with clamps. For normal operation of the stretched paper dust extraction, holes must be made in the right places (holes in the platform). It is best to connect a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, as the presence of dust under the platform leads to a large number of scratches. That is, instead of grinding, we get a damaged part. This is an important point.

What to look for:

The vibration sander is used only for finishing sanding and has low performance. Only fine grain paper can be placed on it. Rough cutting should be done with another tool.

Popular models of vibration grinders

Manufacturer	Model	Power	Platform vibration frequency	Sizes of tape (sole)	Platform stroke	Price
Interskol	PShM-115 / 300E	300 watts	10500 rpm	230x115 mm		35-50$
Makita	BO3711	190 watts	22000 rpm	228x93 mm	2 mm	60-75$
Makita	BO3700	180 watts	20,000 cpm	230x93 mm	2 mm	50-60$
Bosch	PSS 200 AC	200 watts	24000 rpm	230x93 mm	2 mm	50-70$
Hitachi	SV12V	300 watts	20,000 cpm	228x114 mm	2.4 mm	100-130$