On the farm, you often have to grind something, clean off old paintwork. Most work with wood. Few manufacturers sell perfect products. Maybe a carpenter. And even if there are perfectly processed boards, their price is such that you will inevitably want to sand them yourself. Even taking into account the fact that the work is tedious and uninteresting. Therefore, a wood sander is one of the tools that should be in your home arsenal.
Eat different types grinding machines who perform one type of work, but with different results. There are tools for coarse (preliminary), medium (intermediate) and fine (finish) grinding. Part of the tool can even perform .
To choose a wood sander, you first need to decide what type of work you need it for. For rough grinding - leveling out unevenness, differences in height - one type is suitable, for finishing grinding - bringing it to perfection - another type. Moreover, both problems can be solved using different types of equipment.
The well-known grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the rough grinding function. Of all the possible tools, this is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces - sanding the floor, wall, frame - this is work for an angle grinder. The downside is that the surface turns out to be very uneven, and it takes a long time to level out all the holes and humps. If this still “passes” on the log house, then the result for any carpentry work is unsatisfactory. Unless you can purchase another tool, you should not use an angle grinder for sanding wood.
For wood they use red sanding wheels- this is a special abrasive
There are special attachments for grinders for sanding wood. The best option- petal or disc-shaped circles with sandpaper of different grain sizes. When installing them, the working plane is below protective casing, work safely, you can move in any direction. Carefully handle areas with protruding nail heads and screws. We lower the tool from above and carefully move it. A sharp movement can easily break the grinding wheel, so be careful.
By changing the grain size of the grinding wheels used, you can carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than if you use any other wood sander. But it may take more time to bring it to a smooth surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.
When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged and 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 immediately change the disk; you can restore its functionality. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything stuck to it—resin, wood fibers, dust—burns off, the surface is cleaned, and the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders.
If you have to clean and change the wheels frequently, install a Velcro attachment on the grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster - unstick/stick in a matter of seconds. But working with the nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing; it does not fulfill its functions. During the launch, it happens that a precariously fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They weigh little, the injuries are not serious, but they are still injuries. An angle grinder with a smooth start helps reduce risks, but, all the same, you need to work with gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your feet, and safety glasses.
It is called so because the sandpaper has the shape of a belt that moves continuously using rollers. That’s why such a wood grinder is also called “endless.”
The wood belt sander is designed for rough and intermediate surface leveling. By installing sandpaper with a finer grain, you can achieve a medium-finish finish. This is sufficient for joinery that cannot be painted. To bring to perfect condition You need a different type of wood sander. Moreover, to eliminate long longitudinal scratches, you will have to carry out step-by-step grinding, changing the grain size several times - the scratches remain deep.
A belt sander is good if you need to remove the old coating - paint and varnish
What are the benefits of a belt sander for wood? It has good performance. The tape on it is installed in such a way that one side allows you to sand close to the wall. What are its disadvantages? Due to the design, not all points can be “reached”. For example, corners, shaped recesses, grooves and other small parts. It is not always possible to “climb” between two parts (when processing railings, for example). Another drawback is that most belt sanders have a considerable weight, and it is difficult to work with them while sanding vertical surfaces. But on the horizontal plane they are the most productive.
The following disadvantages are: high level noise, not the biggest sanding spot. It is so noisy that working without headphones is extremely uncomfortable. Why is there a small sanding spot when it looks quite large? Even with a large belt width, it grinds only in the center - the part in front and behind is not used due to the fact that it is raised to feed the rollers.
The wood belt sander has some special features in its operation. To reduce the depth of the furrows it leaves, it must be driven along the fibers. Then finishing sanding takes less time. And one more thing - if you get lazy while working and leave the machine in one place for a long time, a solid “hole” will form. Despite this, this is the most productive wood sander that is often used.
An orbital sander for wood has a round sole with Velcro, onto 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 to remove dust. Dust is collected in a bag or container cassette type, almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.
The operation of an eccentric wood sander is based on simultaneous rotation and back-and-forth movement (reciprocating motion). This achieves a fairly good speed for intermediate and finishing wood processing. When working with this type of grinder, the platform moves in a spiral or orbit. That’s why these tools are also called orbital sanders.
Eccentric grinders are good for processing curved or profile surfaces - the machine is light in weight, makes little noise, is easy to control, and the angle of the disc allows you to reach recesses, notches, etc. With all this, she also processes large surfaces at a good pace. When installed, coarse-grain sandpaper can be used for both coarse and intermediate sanding. The speed is lower than that of the tape one, but still quite acceptable. There are such machines with different radius of movement (eccentricity) - from 3 to 8 mm. Selecting this parameter determines the main purpose (more on this below).
The disadvantages of this type of machine are the inability to work in corners. The round platform simply does not fit there. Also, there is an area of uncertain sanding along the edges—it won’t be possible to sand close to a wall or vertical surface.
The vibratory sander pad can be rectangular or triangular. When working, it makes circular movements with a small amplitude - it vibrates, which gives this type of equipment its name. This wood sander is used for fine finishing - for varnishing or painting, but is characterized by low productivity.
Vibratory wood sander with a rectangular surface allows you to process large areas, but with its help it is not possible to sand wood near vertical planes and walls - it begins to hit the obstacle. Triangular in this regard is more suitable for working in corners and hard to reach places ah, but you still can’t bring her close to the wall.
Another disadvantage of vibration devices is the so-called “lamb”. If a grain of sand or other hard fragment gets under the surface, it leaves small circles on the wood - “lambs”. It is difficult to remove these marks. You have to use increasingly finer sandpaper, 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 a vacuum cleaner is usually connected to quickly and timely remove foreign fragments.
Strictly speaking, this is not a sander, but it can be used for sanding. Moreover, those places that are inaccessible for other types of machines - corners (even sharp ones), places directly next to vertical walls. For grinding, a specially shaped triangular platform is installed on the tool, on which sandpaper on a self-adhesive base is fixed.
During operation, the platform moves in a horizontal plane with a very small amplitude - the vertices of the triangle deviate by approximately 1.7° (this is an average of 2.5 mm). Due to this small movement, grinding occurs. This machine can be used for sanding 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 grinding in hard-to-reach places - due to low productivity and the sanding spot, it is unrealistically long to process more or less large surfaces with it.
To summarize, we can say that for housework and construction work, ideally you need two sanding machines - for rough and fine finishing. The most commonly used pair is tape + eccentric. If you are planning to start making furniture, then you cannot do without an oscillator.
If you do not like the result of the belt sander, you can purchase two orbital sanders 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 disadvantage of this solution is that good eccentric grinders are expensive.
If the budget is limited, and the farm has an angle grinder, rough grinding can be done with its help, and for intermediate or finishing use orbital or vibration. Just keep in mind that vibration is the least productive, although it is the cheapest. If possible, buy an orbital one - it is more versatile and gives better results.
Any tool is divided into classes that differ in working resource (and price). Likewise, a wood sander can be domestic or professional. Household ones are designed for short-term continuous operation with breaks. Basically, it is recommended to work no more than 3 hours a day, taking periodic breaks of 15 minutes.
Professional models designed to work for 8-12 hours, breaks are rarely needed or not needed at all. The working life of such a tool is many times greater. For this purpose, durable and reliable (read: expensive) materials are used. In addition, the productivity of such equipment is much higher; as a rule, there are a greater number of adjustments.
When choosing, the first thing you have to decide is what class your car should be. It must be said that some manufacturers have quite good household grades, 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 ratio. Some models are used even by professionals.
Although wood sanders differ, there are also general points, which you need to pay attention to when choosing. Here they are:
These are general points to pay attention to. Now about what is important for different types of grinders.
When choosing belt sanding, 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 brushes. Sometimes spare brushes are even included.
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Tape dimensions (width/length) | Belt speed | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interskol | LShM-76/900 | 900 W | 76 mm / 533 mm | 250 m/min | 3.2 kg | 55-90 $ |
| Makita | 9911 | 650 W | 76 mm / 457 mm | 270 m/min | 2.6 kg | 100-150$ |
| Bosch | PBS 75 AE | 750 W | 75 mm / 533 mm | 350 m/min | 3.5 kg | 120-160$ |
| Interskol | LShM-100/1200E | 1200 W | 100 mm / 610 mm | 400 m/min | 5.6 kg | 100-150$ |
| Makita | 9404 | 1010 W | 100 mm / 610 mm | 440 m/min | 4.7 kg | 200-270$ |
In addition to all the general parameters described, there are some nuances in choosing an eccentric machine for sanding wood:
The selected model must be tested in the store. To do this, install a sandpaper disc on the platform and turn on the tool. Vibration should not be felt at all. This means that it is well balanced and will work comfortably.
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Disc rotation speed | Platform vibration frequency | Disk size | Platform travel (eccentricity) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita | BO5031 | 300 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 2.8 mm | 90-120 $ |
| Makita | BO5041 | 300 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 3 mm | 100-200$ |
| Metabo | SXE 450 TurboTec | 350 W | 13100 rpm | 8500 rpm | 150 mm | 6.2 mm | 185-220$ |
| Bosch | GEX 150 AC | 340 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 150 mm | 4 mm | 175-220$ |
| Bosch | GEX 125-1 AE Box | 250 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 2.5 mm | 70-90$ |
First of all, you need to choose the shape of the sole. It can be rectangular (most often), square or iron-on. The sandpaper fastening system here is a clamping system, just a piece of sandpaper is pulled on the right size and is fixed with clamps. For normal operation of dust extraction in stretched paper in in the right places(holes in the platform) holes need to be made. It is best to connect a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, since the presence of dust under the platform leads to the appearance of large quantity scratches That is, instead of grinding, we get a damaged part. This is an important point.
What to pay attention to:
The vibration sander is used only for finishing sanding and has low productivity. Only fine grain paper can be placed on it. Rough processing must be carried out using another tool.
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Platform vibration frequency | Tape (sole) sizes | Platform progress | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interskol | PShM-115/300E | 300 W | 10500 kol/min | 230x115 mm | 35-50$ | |
| Makita | BO3711 | 190 W | 22000 kol/min | 228x93 mm | 2 mm | 60-75$ |
| Makita | BO3700 | 180 W | 20000 kol/min | 230x93 mm | 2 mm | 50-60$ |
| Bosch | PSS 200 AC | 200 W | 24000 kol/min | 230x93 mm | 2 mm | 50-70$ |
| Hitachi | SV12V | 300 W | 20000 kol/min | 228x114 mm | 2.4 mm | 100-130$ |
Sander woodworking tool is an important and multifunctional tool. It can be used for repairs, construction, restoration of all kinds wooden products. The sander makes it possible to speed up the process of grinding or polishing wooden surfaces several times, be it walls or floors, furniture or other decorative elements.
Before choosing a tool, you need to understand its main characteristics.
Grinding machines come in different designs and operating principles. These factors depend on their purpose. The following types of sanders can be used to work with wood:
VShM is more often used for fine grinding or polishing of wooden surfaces. This tool is also suitable for removing coating material, varnish or paint. Grinding occurs due to oscillatory circular movements with small amplitude. In some models, the speed of oscillation and amplitude can be adjusted. Sanding occurs with sheets or circles of sandpaper (whether the abrasive material is a sheet or a circle depends on the model), which are attached with Velcro or a clip.
LSMs are used for initial processing of wood materials, for example, for quickly removing the first layer when sanding or removing outdated paint. Also this type The sanding machine is suitable for precise fitting of furniture parts.
The LBM works on the principle of a plane: a circle-shaped belt rotates on rollers and, when pressed, polishes the wooden surface. The layer that is removed from the surface depends on the grain size of the tape. The higher the grain number, the more accurate and thinner the layer being removed.
Advantages of FSM
This type of sander has a number of advantages:
In order to choose a LSM, you must first decide for what purposes you will use it in the future. The main distinguishing factor of blade grinders is the classification of abrasive belts that are suitable for use with a sander. Minimum options LSMs can work with belts only 6.3 cm wide. Their advantage is that they are very light in weight and can be used with one hand. Larger brothers can work with belts up to 12 cm wide. They can be used to work on large areas. They are ideal for leveling. The best option for home handyman There may be a variant of a tape machine that works with 760 mm tape.
The next parameter for choosing a LSM is the duration of its use. If you need it for light work, such as finishing small items or hobbies, then a simple inexpensive machine may be suitable for this. For construction, it is better to take a more serious option. Naturally, it costs more, but they, as a rule, do not wear out quickly and the proverb “The miser pays twice” comes in handy.
When choosing a LSM, you should also pay attention to its Extra options:
This is a type of vibration grinding machine. It has the same operating principle - vibration movements. The main difference between this type of grinding machine is the shape of the working element. It is shaped like a triangle or delta (hence the name). This machine can be used to sand corners or hard-to-reach areas such as recesses or protrusions.
The second name is orbital sander. This tool is similar in operating principle to a VSM. The difference is that eccentric machines are more productive, grinding is more accurate and finer, and the principle of operation itself occurs due to the complex trajectory of the moving element. Grinding occurs with a disk with a diameter of 15 cm. Abrasive wheels of different grain sizes are attached to the disk using Velcro.
Operating eccentric grinders
This type of grinding tools has a significant drawback: the formation of a large amount of dust. Manufacturers understand this and are working to improve the tools. Some models have dust collectors. This model can easily be used in indoors. Therefore, if you plan to work indoors, it is better to take this into account when choosing and look for models with dust collectors.
The main difference between brush grinding tools is that the working part is not represented by sanding paper, but by a brush mainly made of metal. Therefore, such a tool is not suitable for grinding or polishing. It is used for removing coatings. The wood brush sander is designed to work on large areas, such as removing varnish from parquet, updating furniture or other large objects.
This type of grinding machine is also used to “aging” wood. With the help of a hard brush, the wood is given an ancient look, and such an element looks antique.
What to pay attention to when choosing a tool such as a grinder.
When choosing, weigh all the above nuances. You should not be guided only by the price or advertising of the grinding machine. Don't be lazy read the specifications and do not hesitate to ask the consultant about points of interest. After all, you are not acquiring an assistant for just one day.
Need in finishing wood damage occurs during construction, designing furniture, crafts from this material before applying the finishing layer of paint and varnish. For this, several types of wood sander can be used: angular, vibrating, orbital, belt, delta modification or renovator.
The choice depends on the repair budget, the size of the part, and the presence of hard-to-reach places on it. Usually, a home craftsman has an angle grinder (“grinder”) in his arsenal, so when purchasing a flap disk, the costs are minimal. In all other cases, you will have to buy both a power tool and accessories for it.
For massive workpieces and parts with large surfaces, the best option to increase productivity is definitely a wood belt sander with suitable characteristics. A looped belt with abrasive (emery cloth) is put on rollers, one of which is transferred to rotation from the electric motor shaft installed in the housing.
The wood sanding machine has high power (1.2 - 0.5 kW), providing a stripping speed of 500 - 75 m/s, respectively. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the availability in stores of equipment of the required sizes, since different models of manufacturers use tape of different lengths and widths. Budget household modifications have basic functionality: All of them are designed for periodic operating mode (break 15 - 5 minutes after 15 minutes of switching on). Professional models are expensive, but they can work an entire shift without stopping every day. They have a belt alignment that allows you to use the abrasive material sparingly until it is completely worn out. When a vacuum cleaner is connected, the workplace remains clean without periodically turning off the machine. In modifications with bags for collecting sawdust, the operator has to periodically stop the blade to empty the bag. In addition to standard designs, there are attachments with three rollers on angle grinders, one of which is the leading one, receiving rotation from the grinder gearbox. They use standard belts and have tensioners for equipment. Thanks to vibration models, sanding wood has become more convenient and productivity has increased. When choosing, the main criteria are: A professional vibration-type wood sander has a warning device. The tool signals the operator's excessive load on the surface being processed with a sound. Models with a two-handed grip are more convenient for long-term grinding; one-handed modifications are more compact. Among all existing models, the price of an eccentric wood sander is the highest. The design differs from LSM and vibration models by the presence of movement along a complex trajectory: The surface of workpieces of any shape is processed with high quality, at high speed. The most convenient are pneumatic models, network machines with adjustable eccentric stroke and rotation. Budget options (within 3,000 rubles) are: More serious tools are produced by Bosch; grinders from the manufacturer Makita are the most productive and have an ergonomic shape. An orbital wood floor sander will allow you to efficiently level expensive cladding, for example, piece or modular parquet. Pneumatic modifications require the use of high-performance compressor equipment, which is not always present in the arsenal of a home craftsman. Therefore, pneumatically driven grinders are more often used in production. Special equipment for woodworking has been created for angle grinders, with the help of which cutting chipboard, timber, plywood, boards, and sanding surfaces are carried out. Belt sanders for wood require high costs, so if you have a grinder in your home craftsman’s arsenal, you can get by with buying flap discs with abrasives of different sizes for rough roughing, grinding, and polishing (felt or diamond modifications). Moreover, the range of accessories for angle grinders (for wood only) is much more diverse than for any other modifications of sanders:
Vibratory wood sander
Orbital sander for wood
Angle grinder for wood processing
Let's start with the classification - each variety has its own pros and cons, its own specialization. If you need to process large surfaces at high speed, and at the same time do not have the opportunity to sharpen the same drill or chisel, choose belt sander , which, if desired, can also be used as a sharpening machine. But keep in mind that not all models have the option of fastening on the side or top with a ribbon! In addition, high productivity, ensured by a belt running quickly in a circle, will also require “direct handling” - by pushing or holding the machine in place, it is easy to “dig” an unevenness in an almost ideal plane. Another couple of disadvantages are the complexity of the design, the presence of a belt drive and the need to buy ready-made belts of the required size.
Vibrating machines have a rectangular or “iron-shaped” (for working in corners) sole, quickly oscillating back and forth with a certain amplitude. Such machines are simple in design (you can buy an amateur one inexpensively without much risk to reliability) and have good performance. For them, you can easily cut sandpaper from a sheet yourself, especially if the manufacturer has included in the kit a device for perforating holes in sheets. Even a beginner will master such a machine quickly. But, if you don’t plan to work with wood, it’s better to look away eccentric (orbital) machines- they are, of course, more complicated, and you will have to buy wheels with Velcro, but it is easier to ensure the cleanliness of the surface with an “orbit” (the wheel does not “slide” back and forth, but also rotates during grinding), and it is more convenient to work along curves. It’s not for nothing that you’ll see these types of cars in any auto body shop: here you have to constantly bring curved surfaces to “zero.” But for wood that needs to be sanded along the grain, an eccentric machine is not suitable precisely because of the principle of operation; in the hands of carpenters, only vibrating “surface sanders” are used.
In addition to the power, convenience and level of vibration that you need to pay attention to when choosing any power tool, be sure to make sure that the main components of the machine have good dust protection and especially the efficiency of dust removal: it is not always possible to connect a vacuum cleaner, and it is simply dangerous to use some models of sanders without a respirator, so they throw a lot of dust into work area to the air.
A wood sander is an indispensable tool when carrying out finishing works. Thanks to its use, the process of polishing and grinding wooden surfaces is greatly accelerated. The unit itself is convenient and compact, which makes it possible not only to quickly but also efficiently level walls, floors, furniture and other wooden surfaces.
Currently, there are four types of grinding machines, which differ in scope, design, operating principle and other criteria. For carpentry and joinery work, as well as repair and construction types The following types of grinding machines can be used for work:
The choice of machine is directly influenced by scale upcoming works(for home or professional use).
The belt sander is ideal for professional use.
The belt-type design includes two rollers (driver and driven), which, during their movement, drive a belt mounted on the sole of the tool. Depending on it pricing policy This tape can be made from various materials.
An important technical characteristic of all grinders is their operating speed, which depends directly on the power of a particular model. For a LSM, this value can be in the range from 500 W to 1200 W at a speed of 75-500 m per minute. Most manufacturing companies equip their products with a special regulator that allows you to control the belt speed.
The capabilities of the tool also depend on the dimensions and other features of this tape. Therefore, the following factors must be taken into account during the selection process:
In general, LSMs are units of industrial importance with sufficient high power. With their help, you can process large areas in a short period of time and, as a result, obtain a perfectly smooth surface. It will be difficult for a person without experience to operate the sander, which can lead to damage to the wooden surface.
Belt type machines are ideal for rough and fast processing of wood, metal and plastic surfaces.
The most popular type among all grinding machines.
In terms of the frequency of processing wooden surfaces, the vibrating 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 that makes frequent reciprocating movements. The rotation of the shaft itself is translated into translational movements of the platform due to a vertically located motor.
What to look for when choosing this tool:
The vibrating sander qualitatively processes any surface. This best option for processing hard-to-reach places.
The Bosch GEX 125–150 AVE model has a power of 400 W, which can easily stretch the sole up to 15 sq. cm.
An orbital or eccentric machine has a round sole, while the sanding element itself is attached using a special Velcro. The unit includes a counterweight and an eccentric, which operate the sole in several directions.
The product can operate in two ways:
Axial movement in most models occurs by inertia, less often - forced. As a result of its complex movement and high speed of the machine, a surface is obtained High Quality without a single blemish. Dust is discharged out through special holes on the grinding wheel, as well as on the sole itself. Containers or a vacuum cleaner are used to collect it.
Features of the models:
The compact sole can handle even hard-to-reach surfaces.
The orbital type is designed to carry out the polishing and grinding process at a high level.
This type of sanding machine is designed for processing surfaces not only of wood, but also of metal, plastic and stone. According to principle
Compact and versatile delta sander.
They work similar to vibration models. Their peculiarity 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 regulate its speed. 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 dust removal, the ability to install additional attachments, rotating soles and other operating features.
The delta sander is designed for polishing and cleaning any surface, even in hard-to-reach places.
There is no need to rush into choosing a grinding machine. Only by carefully weighing all the pros and cons can you purchase a high-quality tool that allows you to produce renovation work at a high level.
