If youre going to be doing a lot of sanding you want to make sure you have the right tools. It can take a lot of work and effort. So, you definitely dont want to put in more than you need to. It can be difficult to choose the right sanding tool for you. Weve narrowed it down a little, to orbital and palm sanders. Orbital sanders, to put it simply, are able to rotate in an orbit and a rotary motion, which means you wont get marks on your finish.
A palm sander, on the other hand moves in an orbital fashion. The way that the two different saws move the sandpaper is what makes them something different. You might not be able to tell the difference if you just looked at them. But theres got to be more to it than that, right? Well, there are a few things that youll want to take a look at when it comes to choosing an orbital or palm sander and well take a look at those right here.
Uses For Each: Orbital Sander Vs. Palm Sander
Each sander has a different purpose. So, youll want to take a look at what your average project actually entails. You’ll want to consider things such as power, capability, and the type of project you may want to try. After all, you dont want to get one kind of sander and realize you actually needed the other.
The Advantages Of Each
You’ll want to look at power first. This is where an orbital sander really comes out on top. The orbital sander is more powerful. This means it can do a lot more. You can remove layers from a project without any problems. Which means its great for more intense work. On the other hand, a palm sander is just designed to take a little of the surface.
Cost is another area youre going to want to look at. When it comes to keeping your cost down youll likely want to take a look at palm sanders. You’ll pay less for them because they have less power. However, if it wont do the job its not going to be worth what you save on it in the short run.
Next, consider the finish that you want on your project. If youre not concerned about the swirl or even if you really want that swirl (some people like the look) then a palm sander is a good option. If you want something that looks more finished and sleek youll want to opt for an orbital sander that takes care of all of those marks.
For anything that youre going to need to get deep into corners of youll need a palm sander because it has square edges, where a palm sander gives you a round surface. That means youre not going to get into the corners of a drawer (for example) with a palm sander. You still have some control with the palm sander.
You can still get confused by the WoodWorkers Guild of America video and learn more about different types of sanders.
Orbital Sander Vs. Palm Sander: Our Top Picks
BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander
You want the best quality sanders for your job. We have compiled a list of great options. The top pick we found when it comes to orbital sanders is the Black + Decker BDERO100, which is a 13 cm sander offering a high removal rate and a great finish.
It has a hook-and loop system that allows you to easily switch between sheets of paper. The dust seals on the switches keep out all kinds of debris. More importantly, its extremely efficient, getting rid of plenty of rough material but staying small enough that you can easily maneuver it as needed. Not to mention emptying it out is super easy.
DEWALT DWE6411K 1/4 Sheet Palm Grip Sander Kit
We like the Dewalt DWE6411K palm sander. It is a sheet sander. That means youll be able to put approximately of a sheet of sandpaper onto the face. This allows you access to the corners and other difficult to reach areas of your project. The motor is 2.3 amp and can achieve 14,000 orbits per hour.
You don’t have to worry about where to put it or how you can transport it. Which is convenient. This system has a rubber dust cover that covers the switch to prevent it from collecting dust. A dust port system allows you to attach a vacuum to the sander, keeping it clean and ready to go for any task.
Bottom Line
When it all comes down to it you can choose either type of sander for your next project. An orbital sander is better if you want to achieve a smooth finish. It will give you the smoothness you need without hurting your finish in the long run.
A palm sander is a good choice if you are just looking to sand the edges and not worried about how it will look. You can opt for this too if youre trying to get good clean edges. A palm sander is able to work in corners because it has a square sheet. They also work best for a little bit of finish work rather than taking off layers. You can only decide which one is best for you next project.
