A sander is a power tool used for smoothing a surface with sandpaper or other abrasive material.
What you might not know is that sanders come in many types of purposes as well, and one of the types is a sander for stairs.
As your staircase can be the main area of focus at your home, you would want it to shine and glimmer.
When you are renovating your home, sanding is an essential step to refinish any wooden project such as a staircase, and to finish it off; you will need the best sander for stairs to work with.
In this review and guide, we have mainly come out with a full-fledged buyer’s guide to talk about what a new buyer needs to know and a product review section to further discuss some top-rated products on Amazon that you may find interesting for your living space.
Let’s get on with the buyer’s guide and not waste any time:
Buyer’s Guide
This buyer’s guide is going to constitute the main factors you need to consider before purchasing a sander for your staircase, and as you might already know, when it comes to sanders, you have to be either right or wrong, there is nothing in the middle.
If your sander doesn’t work, it just won’t, and you will be suffering in the end. So don’t miss out on this guide and continue reading:
Comfort and Grip
So the first factor is comfort and grip, which is the most important factor when it comes to the functioning of the sander itself.
You can simply not work with a product that doesn’t provide proper grip to it, and you face difficulty using it.
A sander can be tricky to work with, but if it is designed right and offers a comfortable grip, then it can be the best choice for you, and this is why you need to think of this point when you go out to purchase one.
Type
There are many types of sanders out there that can refinish your staircase, and some of them are; random orbit sander, orbital finishing sander, belt sander, and disc sander, respectively.
Now it will be your choice to select one of the following types to be your best bet and see to it if any of the types suits you better or not.
Operation and Portability
It is your decision to observe your sanding needs and configure what kind of sander you require.
If you require a large-sized sander, then you need to consider its portability and functioning as well, and if you can work with a rather compact version, then you will be assured that you can take it everywhere and work around it easily.
People who work with sanders professionally can handle a huge sander with lesser portability, but if you just want to refinish the staircase at your home, then you need to see this point for sure.
Dust Collection
Every sander has either a dust collector attached at the end of it has a mechanism in it to dispose of the dust that is created after using a sander in the first place.
Sanders needs to be efficient enough to dispose of the dust on their own so users can find it easy and convenient for daily sanding on mostly their stairs of course,
Top 7 Sanders For Stairs
Sanders can be tricky to deal with, but we have come up with a complete review and guide for you this time, so let us present to you the product reviews.
Finally, it is time to dive into these reviews where each product is going to be described to you honestly, and each review comes with pros-cons, respectively.
So without any further ado let’s look into this.
1. BOSCH OS50VC Electric Orbital Sander
With the BOSCH electric orbital sander, you can make a statement of art because of its versatility and flush sanding abilities.
It has clearly proven to sand close to all the many vertical surfaces you must come across. You will be achieving an accurate system for paper clamping as well because this orbital sander is known to accept paper sticking.
This electric orbital sander is also a good dust collector, so you won’t be facing any problems with a messy work surface as its filter has a dust canister in it that helps you remove all dust from the front handle especially.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Variable speed
- No vibrations
- Soft grip
- Long-lasting
Cons
- No replacement parts are available
2. Makita BO4556 2 Amp Finishing Sander
Makita BO4556 is one of the best sanders you will come across when working with sanding stairs. This product is well known for delivering top quality, precise results, and durable construction, which features a design with reduces vibrations.
The texture is contoured, and the grip is made from rubber, which makes it comfortable to hold in hand, and you can work easily for long durations without getting tired.
Even though the sander is not that small, it is still quite easy to change the paper installations in it thanks to the paper clamps, which are there to make it easy.
Moreover, the dust collection system is also good and helps you keep a clean and healthy environment in your home.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Environment friendly
- Precise
- Palm grip design
- Easy installation
Cons
- Thin changing paper
- Pad not durable enough
3. SKIL 7292-02 Sheet Palm Sander
SKIL 7292-02 is a sheet palm sander, and as the name suggests, the product is quite compact and handy, which makes it very easy to be held in hand and worked with for long hours.
Pressure technology is one of the unique features this product boasts and is frankly unmatched.
When you are working, it sometimes occurs that you put more pressure than needed mistakenly, this can be very dangerous, so this pressure technology immediately warns you.
This not only makes the sander safe to use but also very suitable for beginners.
The dust collection system is a clear view, which essentially means you will easily know when to empty the chamber when it is full of dust particles.
The sander is ergonomically designed, which makes it easy and comfortable to hold.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Pressure control technology
- Vacuum adapter
- Micro-filtration
- Comfortable design
Cons
- The sandpaper can’t be replaced
- Lesser power
4. PORTER Cable Palm Sander
The PORTER-CABLE palm sander is a break-free tool from all the fatigue and restlessness that comes after sanding huge wooden projects.
It helps provide easy results within minutes of worktime and lasts longer as well, which is a cherry on top.
The design is also user-friendly because it will only vibrate in a low motion without causing noise or tension in your hands while you use it.
You will be facing no issues sanding with this tool because it easily turns on and off on its own and has a sealed switch to prevent any dust collection as well.
So why wouldn’t you want this sander in your carpenter’s tool kit?
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Longer switch life
- Reduces fatigue
- The superior finish provided
- Protects from dust
Cons
- Less handy
- Vibrates a lot
5. Dewalt Random Orbit Sander
Dewalt random orbit sander packs a very powerful 3-amp motor that is capable of spinning the pad at a high rate of 12,000 OPM.
This motor is enough for any type of stair sanding and makes the sander very effective. Nevertheless, the machine is still quite vibration-free thanks to the counterweight parts it features.
The product features an easy-to-use power switch, which is completely dust-free, so you don’t have to worry about it going bad in dusty environments while working.
With a one-hand locking system, the dust bag directly connects to the dust ports making the overall dust collection system very effective as well.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- 3 amp motor
- Shorter height
- Counterweight design
- Dust-sealed switch
Cons
- Pad not durable enough
- Sandpaper stucks
6. PROSHI Random Orbit Sander
Although this random orbit sander by Proshi is not very well known among the customers, it is still worthy enough to be mentioned in the top 7 picks for the best sander for stairs.
Having an ergonomic design along with the necessary counterweight parts, this sander is quite easy to hold and comfortable for working along with a vibration-free experience.
However, if we look at it from the perspective of durability, it might not be the best, but while it lasts, it’s guaranteed to provide you the best results.
Lastly, changing sandpapers is also very convenient and can be handled by a beginner as well.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Crack free
- Hook and loop face design
- Precise motor
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not durable enough
7. Genesis GPS2303 Sheet Palm Sander
Featuring a very powerful motor that can generate around 10,000 OPM speed, this palm sander is quite handy and easy to hold but nevertheless, gives impressive sanding results with a mere compact design.
The design is really comfortable, and you won’t run into any difficulty while using it even if you are a beginner.
The dust collection bag is quite effective and keeps the environment clean and healthy for your family.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Easy to grip
- Comfortable
- Fast action
- Smooth results
Cons
- Not standard sized
- For light usage
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to sand stairs?
If you get the sanding done by professionals, then they will charge 500-800$, including the labor and tools for your staircase.
Otherwise, you can divide the costs and even do the sanding yourself by just buying a sander at an affordable price.
Do I need to sand stairs before painting?
Yes, you will need to sand the stairs because if the old paint is rough, then you will need an 80 grit sandpaper, first of all, followed by fine sandpaper to smooth it ready for painting.
You will need detergent for cleaning the wood down and also hard-wearing paint for your stairs.
How dusty is floor sanding?
Do expect dust because when you are sanding any part of your home, dust is definitely created. It is part of the process, and there is no other way around it, so please bear in mind that dustless sanding is not 100% dustless.
What kind of Sander should I use for stairs?
A handheld random orbital sander is the best handheld power sander for hardwood stairs because it minimizes the risk of cross-grain sanding scratches. A flat sanding disk spins rapidly while the entire head of the sander revolves.
What is the best finish for stair treads?
Scraped and sanded oak stair treads are simpler to finish. A coat of stain wiped on and off and allowed to dry, can be covered with a coat of polyurethane. Choose a high gloss or satin finish, depending on your décor, respectively.
How many coats of varnish do you need on the stairs?
Depending on the type of wood and the condition of the stairs, usually, two or three coats of oil-based polyurethane are enough.
However, you need to be aware that it takes longer to dry as well, but it adds an amber glow to the wood, making it susceptible to brush marks.
What can I put on my stairs instead of carpet?
If you are concerned about slipping on your wooden stairs, then lay down anti-slip tape near the stair tread, or consider installing a carpet runner.
This way, you can enjoy the benefits of both wood and carpet on your staircase.
How do you sand downstairs?
Simply sand down the portions of the stairs and the rise of each step with a small orbital handheld using 60-grit sandpaper. Move carefully along the edges so as not to hit the walls or handrails. Vacuum away the debris.
Conclusion
Here you go! A complete review and guide on the best sanders for stairs.
I hope all your queries regarding these sanders have been solved and that now you can easily choose one product of your requirements and call it a day.
These products are one of the best out there and are worth your time, so look into this guide thoroughly to help yourself.
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