Variations
- Palm:
The smallest of the bunch, palm-size sanders are great for light-duty jobs like sanding drywall or stripping paint. - Right-angle:
The granddaddy of random orbital sanders, these are designed for jobs that call for extended use and heavy-duty sanding. - In-line:
This is a good option if you need more power than a palm sander but don’t feel comfortable with a right-angle model. The motor is located on top of the machine, and there are left and right handles which allow the operator to get a good grip with both hands.
Most random orbital sanders feature a heavy-duty plastic and metal body with rubber or gel pads to improve grip and reduce vibration. Better sanders offer full ball-bearing construction. Look for sanders with features like variable speeds, dust control, a hook and loop system for attaching sanding disks to the tool, and minimal vibration to ward off fatigue while using the equipment.
A Word on Sandpaper
The grit of sanding disks determines its ideal applications. Grit is the number of abrasive particles per inch of sandpaper. Generally speaking, low grit yields coarse finishes, while high grit yields fine finishes.
Quick Tip
Random orbital sanders make it easy to avoid gouging a piece while the machine is running, but inexperienced users often have problems with gouging when starting the sander. Although it seems illogical, it’s better to put many random orbital sanders on the wood before starting them.
