As a DIYer, an orbital sander is an essential tool you can purchase. Hence an orbital sander serves to smoothen wooden and plastered surfaces within and around your home. Ideally, an orbital sander will also contribute to enabling you to produce almost micro-marble finishes without too much swirl marks.
As a powerful tool, it facilitates tricky works such as sanding down rough edges on revamped paint or washing furniture before they are repainted again. Besides, it can be used for fine tuning the sharp corners in the pieces of metal , surfacing the dry wall, rough tool handles and removing rust.
Therefore, to ensure you buy the best orbital sander, we have a compiled a buying guide that covers everything there is to consider when getting an orbital sander. Before we look at reviews, let's first learn the basics about orbital sander.
What is an Orbital Sander?
An orbital sander is a hand-held tool which is specifically used for sanding. This power tool combines the features of the random orbital action for sanding a surface to provide a final and more refined finish. In fact, with regard to most orbital sanders, the sizes and the models depend on the specific sanding job to be accomplished.
Moreover, these tools are commonly known as circular, finishing, pad, vibrating, rotary, sheet and palm sander. These power sanders come in a small and have a good handling mechanism. Furthermore, you can operate the device with one hand. To attach the sanding paper the device has two spring-loaded clamps which fixes the sanding paper on the flat square surface. Also known as the perfect sanding machine it is ideal for great fine work such as bait removal, sharp circular edges and creating ultra-smooth surfaces for woodworking products.
When smoothing, an orbital sander gives swirl patterns on the surface. The orbital sander will give more accurate and neater results with less of a tendency to burn or impart swirl finishes.
Battery-powered Sanders Vs Corded Sanders
Battery-powered orbital sanders, also known as cordless and corded. When the two orbital sander models are compared, there is actually no difference in weight. The weight is about the same. If you work on the construction site or area where you have to travel with your equipment and spend most of your time using mostly many cordless equipment then you should consider getting a cordless sander. It is easing to use cordless tools the reason being when working on top structures such as ladders or scaffolds the cord will not be pulling you down.
Cordless sanders are especially essential and valuable in construction areas most especially because of the mobility as opposed to corded tools. If you’re going to be sanding for long periods at a bench, then again, for practicality, go corded especially if you can plug the sander directly into an outlet without needing an extension cord. And if this is our situation then dragging the cord would not be a problem and the need for mobility.
Best orbital sanders
After identifying the sander applications, let's us now start the looking at the best orbital sander in the market.
1. BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander
- HIGH PERFORMANCE ORBIT SANDER - 2.0 Amp corded electric random...
- HIGH EFFICIENCY - Delivers 12000 OPM (orbits per minute) to...
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT - Fits in tight spaces for more versatile...
- DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM - Keep your workspace free of dust and...
- COMFORT GRIP HANDLE - Work comfortably and with less fatigue...
The BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 5-inch random orbital sander is one of the best orbital sanders on the market. It is a fine power tool for light jobs around the house, which includes recovering old furniture. Moreover, you can have this random orbital sander at an incredibly cheap price though its usability.
It has decent functionality provided by a 2-amp motor which is quite good for slicing light work and swirl free finishes. It is also a corded sander that is preferably of a fixed high working speed of Twelve Thousand OPM. Its 5-inch description is for its Velcro system with designed to accommodate a 5-inch disc. Some of its conveniences include a rubberized palm grip; this sayer comes with a simple design that weighs 3.2 pounds, which makes wood sanding less tiring. But there are more efficient models of sanders as for the BDERO100 device and the speed of its motor, but the price is considerably higher.
This Black Decker has dust bag that hold sawdust and its own dust collection capacity. Nevertheless, on this sander you won’t find a vacuum hose that links to your favorite shop vacuum. Further, on dust: it is switched and dust sealed to keep your tool from griming; 2 years warranty.
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2. Bosch ROS20VSK Palm Orbit Sander
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3. Makita BO5030K 5-Inches Random Orbit Sander
- Smooth and fast sanding with 3.0 AMP motor (12,000 OPM)
- Rubberized grip for improved operator comfort and control
- Large 1/8" random orbit action for fast and super smooth sanding
- Pad control system for controlled pad speed upon start-up
- Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system for a cleaner...
Another excellent choice for the best orbital sander is this Makita BO5030K 5" Random Orbit Sander. Notably, this sander is fitted with a 3.0 AMP motor together with a speed of 12,000 orbits per minute. A random spin orbit of it is sufficient large to provide high and effective smoothening rates. If you intend to use it outdoors then you can plug it using an extension cord since it is very convenient to use.
This Makita sander has an additional rubberized grip for improved sanding control in addition to providing comfort. Also has this sanding tool is available at an inexpensive price accompanied with one abrasive disc, one dust bag, and a plastic tool case. Lastly, this Makita sander of 3amp is usually sufficient for most home improvement projects.
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4. DEWALT Orbital Sander Kit, 5 inch, 3 amp, Corded, 12,000 OPM (DWE6421K)
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5. SKIL SR211601 5-Inches Random Orbital Sander
- POWERFUL - With a 2.8 amp motor and 13,000 orbits per minute,...
- EASY TO CLEAN DUST CONTAINER - The X-flow dust collector uses...
- SPEED CONTROL - Variable speed control provides the right amount...
- LOW VIBRATION - Through its ergonomic design and a soft rubber...
- SAND IN TIGHT PLACES - With a compact size and ergonomic design...
The 5-inches Skil random orbital sander is one beauty of a kind. It is an inexpensive package and has high quality features. This tool has a vast 13,000 OPM and an aggressive motor for different materials to save stress and strain. This unit is also vibration-proof and should feel fine on the hands during extended use of this hammer.
The tool also feature a speed control allowing you to apply adequate sanding force depending on the type of a project or material you are working on. All the same, this unit comes with a robust dust collector that you can operate and move around to make the working environment clean. The only downside of this unit is that it doesn’t cram swappable 6-inch pad functionality, but no one can grumble about the price.
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Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Orbital Sanders
1. Sanding pad speed – RPM Vs. OPEN
The sanding speed is the first to check-in any random orbit sander. Specifically, the smoothening pad is the one that spins and different brands simply use different speed units. On the other side, you can measure the speed of the sanding pad in terms of how many revolutions the pad does per minute (RPMs). RPM speed measurement is, however, misleading because a smoothening pad oscillates and spins randomly rather than rotating about a fixed axis.
On the other hand, OPM stands for the number of orbits a pad makes per minute. In essence, the use of OPM is absolutely appropriate because speed is determined with greater accuracy. Hence OPM speed measurement is suitable for sanders that spin locally and independently and run on variable speed as contrasted to fixed axis. However, it most appropriately fits the fixed orbital sanders whose speeds are fixed.
2. Power
An orbit sander comes with a motor AMP power rating. Many speed motor power ratings fall between 2 1/2 tp 3 1/3 AMP to show the power capability of hand sander. In most cases, the output of random orbit sander is often based on one feature- variable speed. But you could have an orbit sander with lower OPM rates yet is more effective than another spinning at a greater rate.
Subsequently, a powerful motor indicates that it will not decrease the speed of sanding the tool because of friction on the surface. Thus, a sander with a powerful motor will definitely provide higher qualities of stably fast operation which will simplify the sanding sessions and provide better results.
3. Dust collection
Another important feature that most DIYers look out for is the dirt collection capability of random orbital sanders whenever they are in the market for getting a random orbital sander for themselves. The dust gathering follows very closely behind the sanding performance. Orbital sanders that are today available in the market come build in with a dust collection kit.
4. Disc size
The sander tool requires the attachment of a disc with a smoothening pad. Traditional orbit sanders will be built for square discs and random orbit sanders will be built for circular discs. Most common random sanders have a 5 to 6 inch sander disc diameter, while heavy duty sanders will have an 8 inch diameter. You can’t fit a 6 inch disc to a 5 inch random orbital sander.
5. Ergonomic design
Since smoothening involves exerting some pull and a process, you have to choose a tool with sander variants that you can handle conveniently. In fact, the position of the handle on a sander defines the ergonomic aspect in any way always with either side handle or front handle. Also, engendering the position of the sander handle gives you a chance to work on large surfaces with minimal tiredness.
Furthermore, tight space ergonomic designs should include easy to detach handles in case there are obstacles round much of the time. Also, in terms of handle transformation, they serve to help you work under any angle with considerable ease. Significantly, if the handle of a tool vibrates more, it may be difficult while smoothening.
6. Vibration
You will notice that a sander that vibrates a lot will also make you strain faster than the one that restrains vibration. But, it's really hard to convey that dB level of the vibration from the manufacturer indicated features and functions. You can only find out the only way you can tell is to look at other user’s reviews online.
How to Maintain Yourself and the Best Orbital Sander
Random orbital sanders don't always need much care, but they need a little. The only way you can be sure that your tool is most cared for is to blow out the dust using compressed air or a can of compressed air that you can purchase at an office supply shop and work over the air vents. The following steps are now to follow to protect yourself when working with sanders.
- If you’re sanding wood, wear a dust mask to help protect your lungs when sanding wood. Pads of most random sanders have got better foam strip, which helps the mask seals better into your face, and have got a vent reducing the build up of moisture under the dust mask.
- For as you work, be sure to make a point of cleaning up, to avoid large piles of talc collecting.
- Once you’re finished sanding, or if you just want to take a break, brush yourself or the vacuum yourself off to remove any dust before getting inside the house.
Frequently Asked Questions On the Best Orbital Sander
1. What is the best orbital sander used for?
A random orbital sander is most often suitable for ultra fine smoothening. Also, You can use RO sanders to smooth out metal surfaces. Later on you can use the same sanders in painting job and to restore the transparency of car headlights.
2. What’s the main difference between the best orbital sander and the random orbital sander?
Orbital sanders have sanding disks which only rotate in circles. They are very good for doing rough work, but they can leave circular shapes in the wood. Random orbital sanders, on the other hand, create a smooth surface by oscillating oval orbital motions.
3. What is the primary purpose of the best orbital sander?
Sanders are potent tools used for sanding a lot of material on various surfaces for a short period and, as a result, leave ultra-smooth surfaces behind.
4. Are orbital sanders worth the investments?
Yes, consider sanders worth your investment. Why? They work very well because once the process is done, you have ultra smooth surfaces and they are also so precise. They’re compelling, getting rid of a lot of material for a short amount of time without much effort and energy.
5. Is it possible to use the best random orbital sanders for woodworking?
You can use the best random orbital sanders on wood, plaster, plastic and acrylic surfaces. Since these tools have the mobility and versatility they can save you a lot of hassle. But first, don’t forget to check the material you’re going to sand, because the ones you can most likely use orbital tools on are more fragile or heat sensitive than the others, so be sure to adjust your speed first.
