Edge sanders are the perfect electric woodworking power tool for smoothing and finishing. You can choose from the two basic types: handheld floor sanders and belt sanders. The type of tool you will use depends on a combination of your intended application and personal preferences. You see, handheld floor sanders are great for hard-to-reach areas.
They are designed to make these spaces easier to access and modify. With a traditional floor sander, certain areas are not always possible to treat, such as spaces against baseboards, walls, and railings. Belt sanders are beneficial for carpentry projects that involve smoothing edges. The structural design allows for more precision with less effort.
Types of Edge Sanders on the Market
Edge Floor Sanders
Edge floor sanders are a popular asset for wood floor refinishing projects because they effectively smooth and polish wood flooring, removing surface blemishes like dents, dings, and more. They are similar to drum sanders in terms of power since they both offer a great deal of it; however, the edge sander is portable, like an orbital sander, making it more convenient to transport and use.
Some have complained that they are a little on the bulky side, but many have also mentioned that they are very easy to operate with just one person. With a removable sanding disc on the bottom and an easy-to-grip handle on the top, it is no surprise they are easy to work with. Simply pressing the handle on the top will initiate the discs to lower, press, and rotate against the floor.
Edge Belt Sanders
These popular woodworking power tools are also known as oscillating edge sanders. They are preferred by many since they rest on top of a table, counter, or cabinet, making them at work-surface level for users. This level of height makes it easier for many people to work with wood for smoothing and finishing purposes. It also gives users a great view of their piece while they work. They operate by a continuous rotating belt that is made of sandpaper.
The belt can be any grade of sandpaper, from fine grit to course grit. It all depends on the specific application. This sandpaper belt is stretched across two metal drums, which spin as the belt rotates. It is very similar to a conveyor belt. Users simply touch the belt with their item and apply different amounts of pressure and movement to smooth out imperfections or create curves in the wood.
How to Choose the Right Edge Sander
The type of edge sander you choose will depend on a few factors. Your preference and project needs are the top factors to consider. It is helpful to know that floor sanders generally come with a dust bag to collect the debris produced from woodworking, and belt sanders do not come with this option. This sometimes has some weight to it for consumers.
Both devices can be used with several different grades of sandpaper and are priced similarly in stores. However, it is a challenge finding them in your average hardware store. To purchase a quality device, you would have to contact rental facilities or a commercial carpentry store. If you are wonder which sander to choose, the best option is to acquire both. That way, you are prepared for all kinds of woodworking and carpentry applications!
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An edge sander is a type of power sander, an electric device used to smooth a surface, usually used on wood. There are two basic types of edge sander. One is a handheld floor sander, which is designed for spaces that are difficult to reach with a traditional wood floor sander, such as the portions of the floor that lie alongside walls or railings. The second type is a belt sander, which is used to smooth out the edges of wood cut for carpentry projects.
The edge floor sander has a good deal of power, like a large drum sander, yet is portable, like an orbital sander. It is rather large and bulky, but relatively easy for one person to work with. It has a handle near the top, and a removable sanding disc on bottom. When the user presses down on the handle, that disc presses to the floor and rotates. As the discs spins, it polishes the wood, removing dings or uneven surfaces.
The belt-type edge sander, often called an oscillating edge sander, usually sits on a cabinet or table, putting it at a convenient height for the user. This edge sander has a continuous belt of sandpaper stretched across two metal drums. As these drums spin, the belt rotates, much like a conveyor belt. All the user has to do is press a piece of wood up against the belt, and it quickly smooths out imperfections. He or she can also employ it to create curves in the wood, such as to make backrests for chairs, by placing the wood against the belt directly adjacent to the drums.
Both types of edge sander can work with many different grains of sandpaper, ranging from very fine to very coarse. Often a user will begin with coarse paper and switch to finer grains as he or she moves forward with the project. The handheld edge sander is sometimes fitted with a dust bag to keep much of the sawdust from the floor contained in the unit. The belt sander does not usually have this option.
Edge sanders are not usually available in consumer hardware stores. A consumer will most likely have to travel to a rental facility, or a shop that caters to carpentry professionals. It’s often much less expensive to rent an edge sander than to buy one, unless the user will need it on a regular basis.