Sanders
Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, looks at the best sanders for the home handyman. There are many different kinds of sanders, and your choice will depend on the type of job you are doing. Scott recommends including both a belt and an orbital sander in your toolbox.
Belt sanders
Belt sanders are commonly used for initial heavy sanding. They are used to remove coarse material, such as splinters and paint remnants, from the timber surface, and to smooth hardwood after you have finished working on it with other tools like saws and hammers. These sanders follow the grain of the timber. They have a spinning wheel which rotates a belt of sandpaper. The sandpaper loops are fitted from the side of the machine over the base. Once the loop is fitted a lever is pushed to centre the sandpaper on the base and to tension it to operating level. Belt sanders come in various sizes, and are sold by belt length and width. As they can be a little hard to handle, Scott recommends a 75mm wide x 457mm long sander for the home handyman.
(Tip: belt sanders must be held perfectly flat against the timber. If you lose your grip and do not hold the sander flat you can take small divots out of the timber surface. Scott suggests that you practise using your belt sander on a few pieces of scrap timber until you feel comfortable with it.)
Orbital sanders
Orbital sanders operate with an oscillating movement and are used for finer finishing work to remove any small imperfections. They are light and easy to handle, and are great for using on plaster and gyprock as well as timber. Orbital sanders with rectangular bases are the safest and lightest to use.
(Tip: if you use an orbital sander on wood the sanding plate may make a little mark on the timber. If this happens remove the mark by hand or with the belt sander. A fine sandpaper at low speed gives the smoothest finish.)
Safety first
When using sanders always wear appropriate safety gear, such as a dust mask, clear safety glasses and earmuffs. Keep a firm, tight grip when operating a belt sander. Wear short sleeves or button up long sleeves, and wear long hair in a hair net or tied up. Keep ponytails well away from belt sanders! Keep sanders and other power tools in a locked cupboard, well out of the reach of children.
Scott recommends:
Belt sanders (sold by belt length and width):
Home handyman – 75mm wide x 457mm long sander. Cost $140 – $230.
Professional use – 100mm wide x 610mm long sander. About $430.
Orbital sanders (sold by base size and shape):
125mm diameter base at $120-$180
Rectangular based orbital sanders (safe and light to use) from $90 – $150
Safety Gear
Glasses from $13
Earmuffs from $33
Paper masks from $5
Respiratory masks from $55
All available at hardware stores.