Understanding the Differences Between Sanders

Sanding is an essential part of almost all wood working projects, down to the most basic ones that require a minimum of materials. Sanding makes wood surfaces smooth and ready for the application of varnish or staining, and without a smooth surface most wood-based structures would not be complete. The wood that is used in woodworking varies depending on its purpose and application. There are a lot of different wood types used in sanding, and different woods require different sanding methods. Understanding the differences between popular sanders can help you make up your mind about which one you will need to purchase.

Large sanders
Wide-belt sanders and drum sanders are basically large sanding machines that spin a thick belt of sandpaper over wooden surfaces. They are used most commonly during the beginning stages of the woodworking project to shave off large sections of wood and smooth out especially rough edges. If you are going to be doing woodworking projects on a regular basis, chances are that you will be needing an efficient wide-belt sander or drum sander, especially if you are working with large pieces of wood.

Orbital sanders
Orbital sanders are typically handheld and they operate by running the sandpaper grain in a circular motion. They are used primarily for smoothing out small surfaces and irregular wood surfaces.

Detail sanders
Detail sanders are small, handheld sanders that are used specifically to smooth out small nooks and crannies that cannot effectively be reached with a larger sander. Woodworkers usually use these at the end of the project to touch up on small irregularities and slightly uneven surface areas. Most details sanders have a piece of sandpaper that is triangular, and this helps them to reach small spots.

Straight line sanders
This sander is similar to the orbital sander, but instead of making a circular motion it moves in a straight line. Woodworkers typically use these types of sanders when the act of sandpapering manually becomes a bit tiring. Most of them are electrically-powered.

What other materials do I need for a woodworking project?
Woodworking is an area that covers a broad range of different possibilities. If you are a professional woodworker, or someone who likes to work with wood specifically as a hobby, you probably are aware of the various materials needed to effectively carry out even a simple project like designing a bench. Larger projects might require more than a large sander, and you might need a orbital sander or straight line sander to completely finish the task.

In addition to having one or more industrial sanders to use, you will likely need measuring tape, woodworking clamps, nails, screws, hammers, saws, and other tools. You can find a wide range of woodworking tools at online hardware stores and local hardware stores. The best way to find out exactly what you will be needing is to approach woodworking on a per-project basis. If you discover that a particular project requires a tool that you don't have, then you can buy it. This is better than spending a lot of money purchasing tools that you might not actually be needing.

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