Ever get a splinter in your skin from a lawn chair or a piece of furniture that had a rough and jagged surface? If you have, then you know how frustrating and painful it can be!
This might not just happen to you, but to your kids as well. Plus, splinter wounds can get infected if the debris is left inside the skin, making it dangerous for rough wood to be left out in the open. This is where sanding furniture comes into the picture.
Sanding your furniture not only makes it safer to use but also gives it a polished feel. This is why it is one of the most important parts of woodworking. Making sure that your furniture is good to look at and easy to use just increases its utility.
If you want to sand your furniture but are not sure how to go about it, you can check out tips to sand your furniture correctly. Besides, there are several options for good sanders in the market. In this review, we talk about six of our suggestions so that you can pick out the best sander for furniture according to your preferences.
1. WORX WX820L Multi-Sander
The sander works on a 20V battery, that can be charged and used wirelessly for increased convenience. This ensures that you do not always need to be near a power socket to undertake your sanding activities.
It also comes with a variable speed option, as furniture sanding can require precision that can only be gained by lower OPM.
Sanding bases, sanding pads, a 20V battery, and a charger are all included in the package.
Specifications
- Battery required — Yes, 20V (included)
- Item weight — 5.99 pounds
- Sanding surface area — 5 inches (for random orbit)
Pros
- This is quite a versatile sander, as it has different sanding bases for 5 different types of sanding needs.
- It comes with a battery-powered system, which means that you do not have to be plugged into a power outlet for your sanding needs, giving you the freedom to use it cordlessly.
- The sander comes with 3 sanding sheets for each pad, a dust collector bag, and a hole punch for the finishing pad, making your experience a lot more convenient.
Cons
- If you’re used to working long hours on projects, you might need a replacement battery.
- The sander is great for home furnishing and similar use, but might not be the best fit for bigger projects like construction jobs.
2. SKIL SR232301 Corded Detail Sander
The sander is versatile in nature and has four different options for sanding. You get a detail sander attachment with the machine, along with three different attachments for finer adjustments, including corners and edges.
The sanding sheets are available in a hook and loop system, which makes attaching and replacing them very convenient. The sander also has a vacuum attachment with a micro-filtration system, which helps collect the removed dust and keeps your workplace clean.
Specifications
- Sanding orbit diameter — 1.6 inches
- Item weight — 2.6 pounds
- Batteries required — No
- Power Source — Corded electric
- Sanding speed — 13,500 OPM
Pros
- If you’re looking for something to do precise detailing with, this sander comes with different options for detailing edges and corners, giving you a highly convenient tool.
- A high 13,500 OPM output ensures that your work is quick and efficient.
- The sander extensions include a triangular-shaped pad for corners and a flexible pad for curved surfaces, making it versatile.
Cons
- The speed on the sander cannot be regulated, and it always operates at a high speed, not making it the best choice for people who want a lower speed setting.
- If you are looking for something wireless, this is not the correct fit for you.
3. Ryobi DS1200 Corded Detail Sander
The grip on the sander is made out of rubber and comes in a hexagonal design, making it fit well in your hands and giving you much-required stability when working, even in slippery conditions.
As the sander is corded, it works best on a 110V connection.
Specifications
- Sanding surface dimensions — 2.81 inches, triangular
- Item weight — 2.12 pounds
- Batteries required — No
- Power Source — Corded electric
- Sanding speed — 13,000 OPM
- Grit — 300
Pros
- With five triangular shaped sanding bases included with the package, you will have no issues working on long-term projects with this machine.
- With a triangular-shaped design, getting into tight corners and giving them a polished look will be an easy task.
- With a high 13,000 OPM speed, your work will be quick and efficient.
Cons
- The sander has no option to regulate its speed, which means that you will have to work at the designated 13,000 OPM speed.
- If you’re looking for a sander that covers large open areas of wood, this might not be the best fit because of its compact design.
4. Astro Pneumatic Tool ONYX Jitterbug Random Orbit Air Palm Sander
With a rectangular design, this sander has a 3 x 4-inch sanding surface, which makes it good for small projects that have corners with raised edges. The grit size on the sander is 600, a finer grain.
Because it is a palm sander, it is very compact in nature and can be used for long periods without the user experiencing fatigue.
Specifications
- Sanding surface dimensions — 3 x 4 inches, rectangular
- Item weight — 1.5 pounds
- Batteries required — No
- Power Source — Air compressor
- Grit — 600
Pros
- This machine is a palm sander, which gives it a compact and lightweight design and makes it perfect for home use.
- The sander comes in a 600 grit size, which makes it perfect for both rough wood and for giving fine wood a finished and polished look.
- The rectangular shape of the sanding surface ensures that it is easy to cut out pieces from a sheet of sandpaper to attach to the tool.
Cons
- If you do not have access to a decently sized air compressor, this machine might not work as well for you as a conventional, corded electric sander.
- Palm sanders are typically meant for home use, and if your needs are construction-based or if you work on large projects, this might not be the best fit for you.
5. Astro Pneumatic Tool 320 Micro Sander
The sanding surface area is 3.3 inches in diameter, giving you a decent size for flat areas as well as corners. The sander focuses on spot polishing instead of complete areas, which means that it is a great option for finishing up your projects and giving them a classy, polished look.
Specifications
- Sanding surface dimensions — 3 inches, circular
- Item weight — 1 pound
- Batteries required — No
- Power Source — Air compressor
- Sanding speed — 19,000 OPM
Pros
- This is one of the smallest and lightest sanders on the market, weighing at just 1 pound. It is small enough to fit in your hand, making it great for home projects and small applications.
- With a very high 19,000 OPM speed, it has a great power output and helps prevent fatigue.
- With a spot-focused specialty, this sander is a great option for finishing and detailing.
Cons
- This is a very compact sander. It is more suited to finishing and detailing versus taking on entire projects.
- The best output will be guaranteed only if you have a decent air compressor.
6. Cubitron II 3M Pistol Grip Random Orbital Sander, 3 inch
The random orbits this sander makes ensures that the polish is smooth and free of “swirls.” It is also air-powered, giving you a high power output and greater efficiency than electric sanders. This sander can be used for a wide variety of projects aside from furniture applications, including paint prep.
Specifications
- Product weight — 2.20 pounds
- Disc size — 3 inches
- Power Source Type — Air compressor
Pros
- As there is no motor involved in air sanders, this sander is quite lightweight.
- Because of the pistol grip design, it is a great option for people in the auto body repair industry.
- The compact design and size of the sanding disk are excellent for precision work.
Cons
- The sander is quite small in size, so it might not be great for large woodworking projects.
- If you do not have a large air compressor, you might run into some problems with stability and performance.
Buyer’s Guide
We hope that now you have a comprehensive idea of the specifications, pros, and cons of every sander on our list. If you’re still looking for ideas on which sander will be the best for your furniture needs, we have curated a condensed buying guide for you here!
- Cordless — If you want something that you don’t need to be around an electric socket for, the WORX Multi-Sander may be a great fit for you.
- Versatile — If you’re looking for a sander with multiple attachments for your sanding needs, the SKIL Detail Sander is a great choice.
- Compact — If you need a sander that easily fits in your pocket but can still get the work done, check out the Cubitron 3M Pistol Grip Sander or the Astro Pneumatic Tool Micro Sander.
- For Tough Corners — If you’re looking for a sander that will give you proper detailing on corners and edges, our suggestions for you include the Astro Pneumatic Tool Jitterbug Sander and the Ryobi Corded Detail Sander.
Wrap Up
We hope that this review has helped you pick out the best sander for furniture for your needs!
If woodworking and sanding interest you, please feel free to check out our other reviews on the topic as well. Happy woodworking!