Find out how to choose the right tool for your project.
When buying sandpaper, pay attention to the jot down of sander it fits as well as the size.
A sandpaper’s grit measures how coarse or fine the sandpaper is based on a number rating.
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The higher the number, the finer the sandpaper is.
Each grit progression will smooth the sanding marks left by the previous grit.
While each project calls for a different starting grit, 120-grit sandpaper is good for general sanding.
Credit:Carson Downing
From there, you might decide to go lower or higher.
In fact, if you’ve done any DIY projects, you likely already own arandom-orbit sander.
They get their name from their motion, as the sanding surface has an intentionally random movement.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
This forgiving nature makes random-orbit sanders perfect for beginners who may not have proper sanding techniques down just yet.
Rather than a circular sanding pad, 1/4-sheet sanders fit a square sheet of paper.
Because of its one-handed operation, many people simply call a 1/4-sheet sander a palm sander.
Credit:Carson Downing
The belt slips over two rollers and moves in a continuous rotation.
This constant one-directional movement allows the belt sander to quickly eat through rough wood or stubborn old finishes.
However, its aggressive sanding nature makes it a poor option for final sanding and finish work.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Hence the name “multitool.”
However, the small head makes these sanders less effective for sanding large flat surfaces.
So, how do you decide which sander to buy first?
We recommend you purchase a random-orbit sander as your first power sander.
Random-orbit sanders can handle nearly any DIY task.
