So you have decided to take up a furniture refinishing project, and are now looking for a sander.
Whether you are a professional or a novice, you will need different kinds of sanders.
In this guide, the best sanders for furniture refinishing have been covered.
There is a buying guide for basic features, and then the top products have been mentioned.
Buyers Guide
If you are looking forward to using a sander in your next project, then you need to know about the few types of sanders available in the market.
These are the options you can choose from. The sander you buy will depend upon the nature of your work.
Orbital, Random Orbital, Or Detail Sander
These are the different types of sanders you can use for the sake of refinishing furniture. The orbital sander has a square-shaped pad that rotates. You can easily cut the square sandpaper sheets. It is meant to get in the corners, and for the lighter projects.
The random orbital sander is elliptical in shape, and you cannot cut sandpapers to its size, though it is good for heavy-duty projects. The detail sander, as the name suggests, is useful for getting in the nooks and crannies.
Ergonomics
You don’t need to tire yourself while you are working. So for that sake, you definitely need a sander that doesn’t vibrate a lot and stays inside your hand.
The handle must also be positioned so that it doesn’t tire your wrist. You should buy something that fits inside your hand.
Dust Collection
Sanding produces a lot of sawdust, and that is a hindrance to your project in general. Every sander has a sand collection bag on it, but some are more effective than the others.
For heavy-duty jobs, the sanders allow you to hook a hose between a vacuum and your sander so you can go with them.
Power
A sander, without a doubt, is a power tool. But you don’t have to go for maximum power every time. The power of your sander must depend upon the nature of your project.
A furniture refinishing project will definitely require a certain amount of finesse and control. So don’t go for a motor with raw Power for that matter.
Less vibration will be a lot more comfortable for you too.
8 Best Sanders For Furniture Refinishing
Now, the actual reviews of our top picks will be discussed. As soon as you step inside the open market, you will be bombarded by tons of companies trying to sell you their products.
So to help you with that, here are the best products available in the market. The pros and cons have also been mentioned for the sake of easy comparison.
1. Dewalt DWE6411 Electric Sander
As the name says, this is an orbital sander. Which means it will be best for the smaller, delicate home projects. It will also be easy to operate.
DEWALT electric sander’s motor is 2.3 amperes, just the right amount of power for such tasks with a speed of sanding is 14000 OPM.
The paper clamp feature has been improved for the sake of the best paper retention. You can lock a vacuum hose with the locking dust port system.
The design has been made so that there is a counterweight, which enables the machine to vibrate less. The switch is protected by Rubber so that the dust doesn’t get in it.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Good power
- Easy to operate
- Enhanced paper clamp feature
- Less vibration
- Rubber protected switch
Cons
- Multiple attachments needed for hose
- Can’t get into corners
2. Porter-Cable Random Orbital Sander
A random orbital sander is supposed to help you with your hefty, professional tasks. Porter-cable sander is elliptical in shape and goes long way.
When you start a sander, there is some gouging. Which is minimized by this product due to the controlled finishing system?
The design includes features such as a balanced fan and dual-plane counter, which are aimed towards reducing the fatigue of the user while operating the machine.
A dust-sealed switch is meant to minimize the dust that gets into them, which seals the ball bearings 100 percent.
You can simply use the hook and loop system to attach the sanding paper to the machines. It has a 1.9-ampere motor and works at the speed of 12000 revolutions per minute.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Controlled finish system
- Minimized gouging
- Balanced fan
- Dual plane counter
- Hook and loop attachment
Cons
- Bad switch design
- Gets hot
3. Skilsaw 7302-02 Octo Detail Sander
Does your new task want you to get into forbidden nooks and crannies, and reach areas that are not just hard, but quite impossible to reach? Then you need a detail sander.
The shape of a detail sander is pointed, which makes it easier for them to get into corners. Mind you; if you apply a bit too much pressure, or too little, you won’t be able to get the finish that you desire. Too much will ruin the surface; too little won’t do any good.
That is why Skilsaw has a pressure control system, which informs you when too much or too little pressure is applied. There are eight different sanding attachments for you to choose from.
The clear gas canister allows you not to guess when it needs to be cleaned.
Skilsaw detail sander’s microfiltration system captures the finest dust particles. The tool-less attachment allows for quick and easy attachments.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Pressure control system
- Eight sanding attachments
- Tool-less attachment
- Microfiltration
Cons
- Lightweight
- Broad
4. Black+Decker BDERO100 Random Orbital sander
Having a random orbital means that you will be able to get the most difficult and hardcore sanding jobs were done in no time. Black+Decker sander offers you a high removal rate that means, in the end, you will be left with the highest quality finish.
The random orbital sanders can sometimes be difficult because you can’t cut sandpapers their size and then attach them to the sanding pad. But with this product, you will be able to attach the sandpaper easily with the hook and loop system.
Also, paper changing will be no hassle at all. The switch is dust-sealed so that it isn’t bothered by the flying dust and debris that results from sanding.
Black+Decker random orbital sander includes the sanding sheet, as well as the dust bag. The size is compact for maximum manoeuvrability.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Good for heavy-duty projects
- Included sanding sheets
- Easily attachable sanding sheets
- Dust sealed switch
Cons
- Unresponsive switch
- Dust collection isn’t sturdy
5. Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
A palm sander is the best deal for you if you are looking forward to finishing small tasks and also if you have little hands.
Bosch palm sander has the same features as that of any other sander; the only difference is that they are smaller in size and easier to handle.
This product specifically has features that allow you to eliminate the swirl marks as much as possible. The Pad dampening system makes sure that there are a few swirl marks as possible.
Whether your surface is flat or contoured, you won’t have any swirl marks. The disc can be attached and detached easily. Bosch palm sander’s speed can be varied to match the nature of your work and the model is compact and durable.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Reduces swirl marks
- Easy attachment
Cons
- Slightly cupped
- Grip issues
6. Makita BO4556K Finishing Sander with Case
Whether professional or newbie, everyone likes a functional case to go with their equipment. That’s why Makita finishing sander has a pretty case that matches the color of the sander, providing easy storage.
Makita sander operates at the rate of 14000 revolutions per minute. The Ball Bearings have been engineered so that the vibration is minimized.
Also, the palm grip is rubberized and contoured so that you have the best possible comfort. One-handed operation allows for easy on and off.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Sealed switch
- One-handed operation
- Comes with case
- Appropriate speed
- Grip is rubber
Cons
- Dust bag slips off
- Sandpaper loading isn’t best
7. Bosch Orbital Finish Sander
We have another sander by bosch. It offers tight orbital motions so that the surfaces can be sanded the best way possible.
The sander is compact enough to also offer the advantages of palm sanders, which means it is easy to operate and handle. It has a high-power motor so that the size doesn’t compromise the performance.
The dust collection can have a screw-on cap, so it doesn’t keep slipping off. The grip is very soft and made of Rubber to absorb vibration.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Tight orbital motion
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Screw-on cap for sandbag
- High power motor
Cons
- Noisy
- Sawdust doesn’t collect effectively
8. Black+Decker Mouse Detail Sander
A mouse detail sander is the ultimate solution for projects that require utmost precision.
Black+Decker mouse detail sander’s size is compact, and the shape has been made so that it goes into the most impossible-to-reach corners. It can get into tight spaces quite easily.
There are three grip positions to make it easier for you to position your grip according to the sander and its placement. Black+Decker’s microfiltration allows the best dust collection possible.
The compact body and low-profile legs allow for manoeuvrability.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Gets in corners
- Compact
- Three grip positions
- Microfiltration
Cons
- Finger attachment is clumsy
- Tip breaks off
Frequently asked questions
What type of sander is best for furniture?
A palm sander will probably bring out the best it can after sanding furniture. A palm sander is capable of holding a quarter sheet of sandpaper in it. A palm sander is used for wider and flatter surfaces.
Is an orbital sander good for wood?
When you need to sand a good amount of furniture, then an orbital sander will do you wonders. It is meant for heavier jobs when the furniture is a lot.
It can be used for bigger jobs, too, for when wood needs to be refinished. For smaller projects like cabinetry, the orbital sander will be good too.
What is the difference between a palm sander and an orbital sander?
The main difference is the amount of area the sanders cover, the shape of the sanding pad, the size of the tool, and the direction. The palm sander is one-fourth the size of an orbital sander.
How long does it take to sand a chair?
Whatever piece of furniture you are sanding, it ought not to take any more than 5 minutes. But it will be harder to get in the corners of the piece of furniture that has a complicated design or if you have a sander that doesn’t allow you to get inside the hard-to-reach areas.
What sandpaper is best for wood?
For the sake of sanding wood, you should use fine or medium grades of sandpaper. They are used in refining furniture.
If the grit is too coarse, it will damage the surface of the wood. Medium grits ranging from 120 to 150 can be used to remove the older scratches or finishes.
Why does my sander leave swirl marks?
If your sander is leaving swirl marks occasionally, then there must be a piece of grit stuck between the wood and the sandpaper. This may be any large piece of dust that went astray.
If you wish to avoid this, you need to move the sander slowly. If your movements are fast, swirl marks will happen.
How do I clean wood after sanding?
If you want to remove dust or other debris from the sander, then the best way to do that uses a slightly wet microfiber cloth.
You can wipe the sander with it. If you don’t have one, then it is fairly easy to make one from a scrap of cloth; make sure that the cloth is lint-free. Then add varnish and a little solvent.
Conclusion
Here is everything you needed to know about sanders for furniture refinishing. Now, all that is left for you to do is to go out and just buy the sander that you need, the one that suits your needs.
Read Also: