Orbital sanders use peel-and-stick sandpaper that comes precut or that you cut to fit, or you attach an abrasive sheet to the tool with the clamps on the sander’s sides. But the square pad allows them to sand into corners.Īnother difference between these is that the random-orbit variety take sandpaper discs that attach to their bases with hooks and loops. These tools sand with a consistent orbital motion and work more slowly than random-orbit types. We also tested an orbital sander with a square pad (also called a quarter-sheet sander). This reduces the chances of leaving swirl marks on the surface and allows you to move the sander both with and across the grain.

Random orbit means the pad spins and oscillates in, just that, a random orbital motion. Most of our test sanders are random-orbit types with a round pad measuring 5 or 6 inches across. BEST CORDLESS: DeWalt DCW210D1 Random Orbital Sander.SMOOTHEST: Milwaukee 6034-21 Random Orbital Sander.MOST VERSATILE: DeWalt DWE6421 Random Orbital Sander.BEST OVERALL: Bosch ROS20VSC Random Orbital Sander.Read on for our advice on buying these use-tested tools, our reviews, and tips on how to maintain a sander.

We’re constantly using orbital sanders at work and at home, testing them, evaluating them, and getting feedback from users. Put a 40-grit disc on the tool and it acts as a grinder apply a 400-grit disc and it’s a polisher. The tool strips rust, cleans up flea market finds, and acts as a power file to take the sharp edge off a freshly-cut piece of metal. Use these power tools to strip paint or sand the gloss off a painted surface to prepare it for the next coat. But they do a lot more than just that and in the process become a versatile workshop staple. Orbital sanders are primarily wood-smoothing tools.

Dewalt table saw extension