The best sanders for furniture should be easy to find, and yet so many people struggle with the process and inevitably end up failing. This is because they pay little attention to what matters, i.e., the features, and instead focus on the trivialities of the marketing.
However, since you already know better, we can make your work easier by listing what features to seek out in a sander. They include the grit type, weight, motor, size, warranty, and power source. Of these, you can pick out grit type, power source, and motor to discern if the product works for you. Aside from that, the handling is dictated by size and weight. Finally, sanders with warranties are better offerings than those without any guarantees. With this selection criteria in place, you can’t go wrong while looking for the best sanders for furniture. Best of all, the six sanders listed below will give you more than enough options to pick from.
Other features: flat head, 3-position grip, high-performance dust collection, detail finger attachment, low-profile legs
It goes without saying that BLACK+DECKER has a stellar reputation when it comes to their power tool offerings. Looking at the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander, it is easy to see why. For one, the exterior of the sander seems quite rugged, which you always want in your power tools.
Next is the high-performance 1.2 amp motor, which seems quite capable when it comes to sanding. Couple that with the coarse grit bottom, and you have a tool that should handle most of your sanding needs quite easily.
There’s also the finger attachment element that you can use to get into tighter spaces. This is a handy little component that should work where tight spaces are the order of the day. A dust collector attachment is also part of the sander’s structure.
Furthermore, you can look to the 3-position grip as an additional reason to be impressed with the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 sander for wood furniture. You’ll find these three positions useful as you navigate different furniture projects that you take on.
Finally, being a corded electric sander might be perfect for your workshop, garage, or wherever you tackle your DIY and professional projects.
What we liked: We liked the high-speed oscillations, which work well with the coarse grit sanding bottom. The sander is relatively compact, and with the 3-position grip, maneuvering tight spaces will be even easier. Add the detail finger attachment, and you have no reason not to finish sanding a chair, table, and other furniture. A 2-year warranty is also appreciated by buyers.
What could be better: Some of the sander’s users have noted the dust collector can sometimes be ineffective, therefore leaving a mess in your workspace. The sanding pad can get hot, causing the glue in the wood to melt.
Other features: 4-13/16″ pad, rubberized grip, 1/8″ random orbit action, pad control system, dust-sealed switch, through-the-pad dust collection system
Next, the Makita BO5030K qualifies as one of the best orbital sanders for furniture. You might note the sander to be slightly heavier and larger than the editor’s choice. If this puts you off, you can skip to the next option. However, there are some positive aspects that you might miss out on that make it worth a relatively high price tag.
The most glaring pro feature is the 3.0 amp motor, which is superior to all other motors in the sanders listed. Due to this power, we doubt there is any wooden project you can throw at the Makita BO5030K that it can’t handle. That said, the maximum oscillation speed is lower than it is in its predecessor.
The pad is also impressive in terms of size, the random orbit action, and the inbuilt dust collection system. Thanks to this last feature, your workpiece should remain spick and span while you handle the sanding. A pad control system is another part of the setup. With this, you get to increase or decrease pad speed to fit the project.
What we liked: We liked the 3.0 amp monitor, which is the most powerful of all sanders listed. Additionally, the design of the sanding pad is impressive. After all, it includes an inbuilt dust collection system, and the speed of oscillations can be easily controlled.
What could be better: The device is bulkier than other sanders listed. This sander is also more expensive than the others listed.
Other features: efficient dust collection system, soft-grip, low-vibration, reliable clamping and pad design
Buyers of the Bosch GSS20-40 Orbital Finishing Sander will also likely be impressed by the machine they have delivered at their doorstep. Just like the Makita BO5030K, this pick is a medium grit type device that maxes out at 12000 OPM.
The tool is backed by a 2.0 amp motor, which is central to all its functions. Notably, the sanding plate on this tool is made of precision-machined aluminum that is bound to stave off wear and tear for quite a while. Also, you can stick on multiple sanding sheets on the device using the clamping mechanism in the pad’s design.
Further, there is the low vibration aspect of the sander. Add the soft grip of the device, and you’ll find the machine is more stable and easier to use than most other sanders. The added stability and comfort that results from this can also allow you to use the tool for hours without needing breaks.
Another thing to note about this electric sander for furniture is the dust collection system. Since dust collection is done through the pad, it’s doubtful that you’ll have to deal with a messy work station.
What we liked: The dust collection system is one of the highlights of this sander. Also, the ease of use brought on by the soft grip and low vibration of the tool is impressive. Additionally, you can change sanding sheets easily. Compatibility with alternating and direct currents also sets this sander apart from the competition.
What could be better: There’s seemingly nothing we could think of that could improve this sander.
Other features: 4-in-1, micro-filtration, low vibration, easy-to-change attachments
The SKIL SR232301 hand sander for furniture has a similar form to the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600, which might appeal to some shoppers.
One crucial selling point for this sander is the 4-in-1 design, where you get four attachments to work with. Three of them are for detailing, and as such, we doubt there’s any wooden project the Multi-Function Detail Sander can’t handle.
The said attachments can be taken off and put back on quite easily, and this will be handy depending on the complexity of the project. You also have a choice to pick between a dust port and a micro-filtration system. Both will be instrumental when figuring out how to handle dust collection.
Added to the sander’s benefits is the low vibration that allows work sessions to be extended for longer without any significant discomfort. Also, look forward to the hassle-free on/off switch when purchasing this tool.
What we liked: The low vibration, effective cleanup of dust, and five-year warranty are all things we liked in this sander. Additionally, the easy-use on/off switch and the versatility of the sander are impressive.
What could be better: The sander is limited in terms of the type of sandpaper you can use. Also, compatible sandpaper may be harder to find.
Other features: flat head, improved paper clamp, locking dust-port system, rubber dust boot over the switch
As for our next sander for refinishing furniture, it is the DEWALT DWE6411 Electric. On the downside, you’ll need to deal with more weight than you would with other electric sanders.
Notably, when adding the sanding paper, you’ll be glad to have the improved paper clamp. This component ensures the paper stays on the device for longer as you take on various sanding jobs. Consequently, it might be more economical in terms of how many sanding papers you end up using on a job.
Furthermore, the manufacturer knows that any dust in the switch would result in an unworkable machine. As such, there’s the rubber dust boot that’s added to prevent dust from getting to this component.
The locking dust port is another highlight of the DEWALT DWE6411. This allows for the attachment between the vacuum and the sander to be more secure. You even get a counterweight design with this purchase, which minimizes vibrations and keeps users comfortable.
Also, if you’re not already impressed enough, there’s the 14,000 OPM speed of the sander and the three-year warranty.
What we liked: We liked that this is a high-speed sander with a relatively powerful motor. The three-year warranty increases its market value. The clamping system is quite effective at holding sanding paper. Minimal vibration is something users might appreciate. Finally, the rubber dust boot protects the switch.
What could be better: Users may strain more with this purchase as the sander is relatively heavy.
Other features: hook and loop system, dust sealed switch
Our second installation from BLACK+DECKER is the BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander. The random orbital action will be instrumental in making sure you have high-quality wood finishes.
This corded electric power tool also runs on a 2 amp motor capable of producing 12000 oscillations per minute. While not the highest oscillation speed in the market, it will still make light work of wood projects that you want to give a clean finish.
The hook and loop system also deserves praise. With it removing old and worn down sanding paper and replacing it will be a cinch. Additionally, the 1BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, just like the DEWALT DWE6411, has a dust-sealed switch.
What we liked: We liked the dust-sealed switch. The hook and loop system additionally makes switching out old sanding paper a walk in the park. We also liked the 2-year guarantee.
What could be better: Working with the BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander can get messy as the tool is not very efficient when collecting dust. The sander isn’t built for heavy use and won’t last very long.
Even with a narrowed-down list of sanders for furniture, it is still relatively easy to make a mistake in the purchase. However, rather than take that risk, you can read the guide below that will answer some of the questions you may still have. Additionally, you’ll get more clarity on what you should prioritize in terms of sander features.
Since almost everyone has wooden furniture, having a sander could also be an excellent idea. Remember that wood is also prone to wear and tear, and after a while, that seat may not look the same as when you first bought it.
However, rather than give up on that chair or table and throw it away, you could instead use the sander on it, sand down the paint, and apply a fresh coat to make it good as new.
Also, DIYers who handle wooden pieces get an invaluable tool in the sander. Remember that before finishing any wooden project, it has to be sanded down to eliminate splinters. Finally, it’s always good to sand down wood before painting over it.
For professionals who handle wood on the daily such as carpenters, the sander is an essential item and is useful in almost all projects.
The six sanders reviewed above are all excellent options with some minor differences in capabilities. Nevertheless, you could find yourself unable to note these differences if you aren’t very knowledgeable on all sander features you may encounter. To ensure that you don’t struggle with this, the features to consider when choosing the best sander for furniture are all listed and explained below.
The different types of wood projects you come across will require varying types of sanders to get the job done. Among the common sanders for furniture available are detail sanders, orbital sanders, and random orbital sanders. Notably, all these fall under the category of palm sanders as they are the best for furniture.
One example of an orbital sander is the Bosch GSS20-40. Just as implied in the name, the sander’s oscillations are in one direction. Additionally, orbital sanders are sometimes referred to as finishing sanders. They help create a smooth finish to a wooden workpiece.
Random orbital sanders are newer than their orbital counterparts. They can change the oscillation direction back and forth, and that’s why they leave no distinct patterns on the wood.
Often the orbital sander has a square bottom while its random orbital counterpart will have a round one. This makes it difficult for the random orbital option to reach corners. Also, note that random orbital sanders are likely used for ultra-smooth sanding.
Detail sanders as well are pretty self-explanatory. These are ideal for hard to reach spaces and are designed with that goal in mind. That is why the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander qualifies as one such option. Other picks like the SKIL SR232301 Multi-Function Detail Sander have additional heads that allow them detailing capabilities.
The DEWALT DWE6411 Electric Sander, in comparison to the SKIL SR232301 Multi-Function Detail Sander, may be harder to use. This is because the extra pound of weight will lead to more fatigue.
However, it may not be a problem for some of you since you don’t plan to use your sanders for long periods. Whatever the case, you should decide whether the sander’s weight is an ideal match for your needs early enough in your purchase process.
Additionally, there are a few different grit types to choose from, and all will have a bearing on the final product. Medium grit type, for instance, is there for sanding bare wood in preparation for removing varnish. Also, it could be used just before the final finishing and will leave a medium texture surface.
Coarse grit type will easily remove materials on the wood, including paint, debris, or finish with relative ease. Fine and very fine grit types are ideal for wood finishing when the goal is a smooth surface.
As you can see, each grit type will give you a different result, and thus you need to choose wisely based on what you need to achieve.
It’s also good to know how powerful the motor on your sander is. The more powerful a motor is, the longer you can use it and the more jobs it can tackle. Using this as a metric to judge options puts the Makita BO5030K Random Orbit Sander as a favorite for selection.
Sanding generally results in a lot of dust produced, which can leave your workspace messy. As the list above shows, almost all sander models will come with a tool to collect the dust. Some are more effective than others and are thus preferred. However, if you thrive in a messy workplace, you could look to other features to help you make your selection.
Also, all sanders will vibrate while they function. This can be uncomfortable for the users, and as such, options with more vibration control are more popular. One such sander is the DEWALT DWE6411 Electric Sander.
The sander’s warranty is also a critical area that can help you judge the tool. Those with longer warranties are overall better than their counterparts since you get more protection for the purchase from the manufacturer. This would put the SKIL SR232301 Multi-Function Detail Sander as a top contender as you are looking through your options.
The BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander is perfect for detailing and is our favorite sander overall. It can easily reach corners and has an optional finger attachment for use in tighter spaces. For these jobs, the motor is also powerful enough.As for the Makita BO5030K Random Orbit Sander, it is easily the right pick if you require more power. Highlights for the BO5030K include the pad control system, which allows for variable speeds, and the tool also shows high-performance ratings when collecting dust.The Bosch GSS20-40 Orbital Finishing Sander makes it to our top three as well. AC/DC compatibility is one reason to pick this sander over others. Additionally, dust collection seems impressive in this model as well. Lastly, this sander is a low vibration pick.Which sander from the six above do you think you’ll be ordering? You can tell us about your user experience after owning it for a while in the comments section below.
