Techie wood sanding machine. Wood sander: the choice of a home craftsman. Dry and wet grinding mode

A wood sander is an indispensable tool when performing finishing work in a country house. Using a sanding machine allows you to speed up the process of sanding and polishing wooden surfaces - wall cladding, floors, furniture, decorative elements. Wood sanders are convenient and compact, allowing you to perform high-quality leveling of any wooden surface.

There are several main types of sanders for household use; their different designs and operating principles determine their purpose. For construction and repair, carpentry and carpentry work, the following types of grinding machines are used:

1. Belt sanders (LSM) are tools for aggressive and rough processing of wooden, plastic, and metal surfaces.
2. Vibratory grinders (VSM) allow for softer processing due to circular movements with small amplitude. The grinding surface of the orbital sander has a rectangular shape, which makes it easier to process corners.
3. A type of flat vibratory sander is a delta sander; it is distinguished by a triangular shape of the sole. The delta sander is convenient for processing small and hard-to-reach areas, corners, recesses and recesses.
4. An eccentric sander refers to a tool that allows you to grind a surface to a polished state due to a combination of rotational and oscillatory movements of the sanding pad. But an eccentric sander is not suitable for processing small surfaces and internal corners.

Application of belt sanders

Belt sanders are used where it is necessary to quickly remove a fairly thick layer of material, for example, to sand an unplaned board or remove old paint from surfaces. LSMs are also used for precise fitting of parts and processing of the cut line.

The material is processed using an abrasive belt closed in a ring and stretched over rotating rollers. When moving, the tape removes a fairly thick layer of material, comparable to the work of an electric planer. The thickness of the removed layer depends on the grain of the abrasive belt.

When choosing a blade grinder, you need to pay attention to two parameters: the width and length of the abrasive belt used and its rotation speed. The area of ​​the processed surface depends on the width, and the aggressiveness and degree of processing depends on the speed. The standard tape sizes for LSM are: 76x457 mm, 76x533 mm, 76x610 mm. The belt width of semi-professional sanders may be larger - 100 mm, but they are rarely used for household needs. The belt speed is usually in the range from 150 to 500 meters per minute, the power is from 400 to 1200 W. Useful functions include smooth regulation of the belt rotation speed and an automatic belt centering device, which prevents it from slipping off the rollers even during rotational movements.

There are two types of abrasive belt for blades, with an abrasive layer of aluminum oxide or zirconium. Zirconium tape provides a deeper but more aggressive finish and promotes scratches that need to be treated with a less grainy tape. For processing metal surfaces, it is better to choose a zirconium tape; it can be used to sharpen cutting surfaces.

Surface processing using a belt sander is carried out as follows: place the machine on the surface to be processed without distortions, and, without putting pressure on the machine, make smooth longitudinal or circular movements along the surface of the material. If precise fitting of parts is necessary, grinding is carried out with short-term translational movements or using a bounding frame.

Application of orbital sanders

The operating principle of these tools is similar: grinding is carried out through light circular and oscillatory movements of the grinding surface with an amplitude of up to 5 mm. Sheets of sandpaper with different grain sizes are used as an abrasive material, secured to the sole using clamps or Velcro.

Vibratory sanders provide high quality processing and are used for grinding almost any materials: wood, plastic, metal, plaster and putty, as well as for removing corrosion products and old paint and varnish coatings.

The degree of processing depends on the amplitude of vibrations: for rough processing, an amplitude of 4-5 mm is chosen, for fine grinding - 1.5-3 mm. For household models, the rotation speed is usually adjusted in the range of 2000-5000 rpm, and the oscillation speed can be in the range of 25,000 per minute. The ability to regulate the eccentric amplitude, rotation speed and oscillations are very useful options for a VSM.

An important parameter is the power of the VSM; it is usually in the range of 150-600 W. The higher the power, the greater the productivity and continuous operation time of the tool. Another important factor determining the use of a VSM is the shape and area of ​​the grinding pad. It can be square, rectangular or deltoid.

The use of eccentric (orbital) sanders

Orbital sanders are similar in principle to rectangular orbital sanders, but are distinguished by greater productivity and a finer degree of grinding and polishing due to the complex oscillation path. Surface treatment is carried out with a grinding disc with a diameter of up to 150 mm; special sanding wheels with different grain sizes or grinding felt attachments are used as an abrasive attachment.

The power of orbital sanders is usually 200-650 W, the speed is up to 13,000 per minute, the eccentric oscillation speed is up to 24,000 per minute. Regulating the number of revolutions and oscillations, as well as adjusting the amplitude of the eccentric, like the VSM, are very useful functions.

All grinding machines are characterized by the formation of large amounts of dust during operation. Some models are equipped with holes in the sole for collecting dust and a dust collector. This option is very useful when working indoors, so if possible, you should pay attention to models with dust collection. Also important is the length of the cord - if the cord is short, you will have to constantly use an extension cord. You can also choose a cordless sander. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the shape of the handle and the weight of the tool, holding it in your hands for some time, trying out the inclusion and regulation of modes.

Video - review of wood sanding machines

This article is intended for anyone who works with wood and wants to make sanding easier. Sanding wood is a labor-intensive process that can be made much easier with the right tools. Belt, oscillating or eccentric, as well as deltoid sanders are suitable for processing wood. There are several types of tools on the market for finishing wood: belt sanders, eccentric sanders, orbital sanders.

How to choose a wood sander, which is better, belt or vibrating, which type of device is best suited for specific purposes? Before finding the answer to these questions, we should understand how different models differ and compare their functions with our needs.

Types of wood sanders

The correct choice of appliance for your home or dacha depends on the type of work being performed and the features of the workpiece:

• form;
• size;
• grinding corners and hard-to-reach areas;
• type of coverage.

Different tools are suitable for specific jobs:

• a belt sander is chosen for sanding large, flat surfaces;
• An eccentric sander allows you to conveniently process convex and concave small wooden surfaces;
• the oscillatory (vibrating) model has a similar application, with the ability to handle corners thanks to the rectangular sole;
• The delta-shaped wood sander is ideal for processing surfaces with complex shapes that are inaccessible to most sanders; a small sole area is recommended for small wooden surfaces.

Tape

Model description

If the surface is large and relatively flat, it is better to choose a belt sander. It is designed to process:

Belt sanders are characterized by the highest efficiency; they are used in workshops, rarely for home work.

Thanks to their high productivity, belt sanders can cover large areas in a short period of time with excellent results. The treated surface is smooth and uniform. Since belt sanders are primarily used for linear motion, they are ideal for sanding along the grain of wood.

The disadvantage of belt sanders is that the base design does not allow access to hard-to-reach corners. The edge of the belt is not also the edge of the sanding pad, so surfaces, for example near a wall, are inaccessible to the belt sander. In this case, you will need a deltoid model.

Video – Bosch PBS 75A ribbon machine

Which tape model to choose?

To choose the right belt sander, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• Speed ​​of movement of the working part– the higher the speed, the faster and more accurately the surface is polished. Depending on the model, the speed can vary from 200 to 420 rpm.
• Tape size affects the speed and accuracy of grinding. The larger the size, the faster the grinding occurs, but the accuracy decreases.
• Power– the higher the power, the better the tool processes a hard, complex surface (hard deciduous wood - oak). Thanks to its high power, the tool can work longer without overheating.

Power selection

• Draw machines with motor power up to 1000 W are designed for light work,
• Models with a motor power of more than 1400 W work well under short-term but heavy loads.

Model overview

Eccentric or orbital

Purpose of the tool

An eccentric machine is a universal tool designed for grinding convex, concave small wooden surfaces and other materials.

The model is used for:

• wood sanding;
• grinding metal surfaces;
• polishing, thanks to the possibility of installing a polishing disc;
• cleaning old paintwork.

Disadvantage of the model: the round shape of the sole does not allow processing of corners.

The working surface is smaller than that of oscillating machines. The diameter of the working part is usually 125 or 150 mm. The larger the working surface, the higher the productivity.

A small work surface has pros and cons:

• advantage - it is easier to work with in hard-to-reach places,
• cons – less performance on large surfaces.

Tool options:

• Eccentricity– has a significant impact on the performance of the tool, means deviations of the movement of the sole from the turning point. The higher the value, the more accurate the tool is.
• Disc diameter– large diameters allow you to quickly process large surfaces, small diameters are suitable for working in hard-to-reach places.
• Number of revolutions per unit time– the higher the number of revolutions, the more accurately the tool works (as in an oscillating machine).

Model overview

Oscillatory (vibration)

Main characteristics

An oscillating sander is used for sanding flat, even surfaces, ideal for processing wooden objects:

• furniture,
• countertops,
• doors.

Unlike the eccentric model, oscillating sanders are equipped with a rectangular base that allows you to sand corners. Larger models are more powerful, their soles have a rectangular or square shape.

Options

• Outsole size– the more, the faster the surface is processed. When working with small surfaces, it is better to choose a sander with a smaller sole, this will allow you to more accurately process hard-to-reach areas.
• Number of vibrations– the higher, the better the tool works. Usually expressed as the number of vibrations per minute.

Model overview

Deltoid sanders

Model description

The main difference between delta-shaped sanders and oscillating sanders is the sole. Its shape resembles the letter delta (hence the name of the instrument). The model is ideal for grinding in corners and other places that are difficult to reach with oscillating, eccentric and especially belt sanders.

Due to the small size of the pad, they are designed for sanding small surfaces. For the deltoid model, you can purchase a spatula-shaped soleplate, suitable for cleaning old paints and varnishes, especially from chairs.

What to look for?

When choosing a deltoid model, you should analyze the amplitude of the oscillations (oscillation) - indicated in millimeters, it is 1-2 mm. The higher the value, the more the sole deflects, and the tool works more efficiently.

Model overview

Let's sum it up

When choosing which grinder is best, you need to analyze your own needs and compare them with the functions of the grinders. Different models are suitable for different jobs.

1. Draw machine extremely effective, quickly treats large surfaces. For example, it can quickly remove a thick layer of paint from wooden surfaces. The design is characterized by a high rated power. The machine is extremely easy to use and safe.
2. Random orbital sander– used for grinding flat, rounded surfaces. Has the highest accuracy. However, the sole does not reach hard-to-reach places and corners. The manual machine is equipped with a round disk that works in an oscillating and rotating motion at the same time, depending on the pressure. Easy to use, but requires a little more attention than oscillating. The instrument is held with both hands. Thanks to the combination of two movements of the plate, the model is efficient, fast, productive, and when used skillfully, does not leave visible grinding marks.
3. Oscillating sander used for large flat surfaces, perfectly smoothes the surface, the work depends on the thickness of the sandpaper. The optimal choice for beginners, easy to use, safe, does not require special attention.
4. Deltoid machine– small triangular sole makes it easier to work on surfaces that are inaccessible to large grinding machines. The small area of ​​the sole makes the model ineffective for processing large surfaces.

On the farm, you often have to sand something and remove old paintwork. Most work with wood. Few manufacturers sell perfect products. Maybe a carpenter. And even if there are perfectly processed boards, their price is such that you will inevitably want to sand them yourself. Even taking into account the fact that the work is tedious and uninteresting. Therefore, a wood sander is one of the tools that should be in your home arsenal.

Types, purpose, features of work

There are different types of sanders that do the same type of work but with different results. There are tools for coarse (preliminary), medium (intermediate) and fine (finish) grinding. Part of the tool can even perform .

To choose a wood sander, you first need to decide what type of work you need it for. For rough grinding - leveling out unevenness, differences in height - one type is suitable, for finishing grinding - bringing it to perfection - another type. Moreover, both problems can be solved using different types of equipment.

Angle grinder - angle grinder

The well-known grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the rough grinding function. Of all the possible tools, this is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces - sanding the floor, wall, frame - this is work for an angle grinder. The downside is that the surface turns out to be very uneven, and it takes a long time to level out all the holes and humps. If this still “passes” on the log house, then the result for any carpentry work is unsatisfactory. Unless you can purchase another tool, you should not use an angle grinder for sanding wood.

For wood, use red sanding wheels - this is a special abrasive

There are special attachments for grinders for sanding wood. The best option is flap or disc wheels with sandpaper of different grits. When they are installed, the working plane is below the protective casing, it is safe to work, and you can move in any direction. Carefully handle areas with protruding nail heads and screws. We lower the tool from above and carefully move it. A sharp movement can easily break the grinding wheel, so be careful.

By changing the grain size of the grinding wheels used, you can carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than if you use any other wood sander. But it may take more time to bring it to a smooth surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.

When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged and the speed of work decreases. In addition to a decrease in speed, there is another sign - the smell of burnt wood. It is not necessary to immediately change the disk; you can restore its functionality. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything stuck to it—resin, wood fibers, dust—burns off, the surface is cleaned, and the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders.

If you have to clean and change the wheels frequently, install a Velcro attachment on the grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster - unstick/stick in a matter of seconds. But working with the nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing; it does not fulfill its functions. During the launch, it happens that a precariously fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They weigh little, the injuries are not serious, but they are still injuries. An angle grinder with a smooth start helps reduce risks, but, all the same, you need to work with gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your feet, and safety glasses.

Belt sander

It is called so because the sandpaper has the shape of a belt that moves continuously using rollers. That’s why such a wood grinder is also called “endless.”

The wood belt sander is designed for rough and intermediate surface leveling. By installing sandpaper with a finer grain, you can achieve a medium-finish finish. This is sufficient for joinery that cannot be painted. To bring it to perfect condition, you need a different type of wood sander. Moreover, to eliminate long longitudinal scratches, you will have to carry out step-by-step grinding, changing the grain size several times - the scratches remain deep.

A belt sander is good if you need to remove the old coating - paint and varnish

What are the benefits of a belt sander for wood? It has good performance. The tape on it is installed in such a way that one side allows you to sand close to the wall. What are its disadvantages? Due to the design, not all points can be “reached”. For example, corners, shaped recesses, grooves and other small parts. It is not always possible to “climb” between two parts (when processing railings, for example). Another drawback is that most belt sanders have a considerable weight, and it is difficult to work with them while sanding vertical surfaces. But on the horizontal plane they are the most productive.

The following disadvantages are a high noise level, not the largest grinding spot. It is so noisy that working without headphones is extremely uncomfortable. Why is there a small sanding spot when it looks quite large? Even with a large belt width, it grinds only in the center - the part in front and behind is not used due to the fact that it is raised to feed the rollers.

The wood belt sander has some special features in its operation. To reduce the depth of the furrows it leaves, it must be driven along the fibers. Then finishing sanding takes less time. And one more thing - if you get lazy while working and leave the machine in one place for a long time, a solid “hole” will form. Despite this, this is the most productive wood sander that is often used.

Orbital (eccentric)

An orbital sander for wood has a round sole with Velcro, onto which sandpaper discs are attached. The discs are the same as for the grinder, so they are interchangeable. There are holes in the sole of the machine to remove dust. The dust is collected in a bag, a cassette-type container; almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.

The operation of an eccentric wood sander is based on simultaneous rotation and back-and-forth movement (reciprocating motion). This achieves a fairly good speed for intermediate and finishing wood processing. When working with this type of grinder, the platform moves in a spiral or orbit. That’s why these tools are also called orbital sanders.

Eccentric grinders are good for processing curved or profile surfaces - the machine is light in weight, makes little noise, is easy to control, and the angle of the disc allows you to reach recesses, notches, etc. With all this, she also processes large surfaces at a good pace. When installed, coarse-grain sandpaper can be used for both coarse and intermediate sanding. The speed is lower than that of the tape one, but still quite acceptable. There are such machines with different radius of movement (eccentricity) - from 3 to 8 mm. Selecting this parameter determines the main purpose (more on this below).

The disadvantages of this type of machine are the inability to work in corners. The round platform simply does not fit there. Also, there is an area of ​​uncertain sanding along the edges—it won’t be possible to sand close to a wall or vertical surface.

Vibrating

The vibratory sander pad can be rectangular or triangular. When working, it makes circular movements with a small amplitude - it vibrates, which gives this type of equipment its name. This wood sander is used for fine finishing - for varnishing or painting, but is characterized by low productivity.

A vibrating wood sander with a rectangular surface allows you to process large areas, but with its help it is not possible to sand wood near vertical planes and walls - it begins to hit the obstacle. In this regard, the triangular one is more suitable for working in corners and hard-to-reach places, but you still can’t fit it tightly to the wall.

Another disadvantage of vibration devices is the so-called “lamb”. If a grain of sand or other hard fragment gets under the surface, it leaves small circles on the wood - “lambs”. It is difficult to remove these marks. You have to use increasingly finer sandpaper, gradually removing scratches. But if in the process something gets under the sole again, the process is repeated again. Therefore, before work, the surface is thoroughly cleaned and a vacuum cleaner is usually connected to quickly and timely remove foreign fragments.

Oscillatory

Strictly speaking, this is not a sander, but it can be used for sanding. Moreover, those places that are inaccessible for other types of machines - corners (even sharp ones), places directly next to vertical walls. For grinding, a specially shaped triangular platform is installed on the tool, on which sandpaper on a self-adhesive base is fixed.

During operation, the platform moves in a horizontal plane with a very small amplitude - the vertices of the triangle deviate by approximately 1.7° (this is an average of 2.5 mm). Due to this small movement, grinding occurs. This machine can be used for sanding in corners and close to vertical surfaces. Moreover, you can remove not only wood, but also smeared and dried glue. In general, an oscillating machine is used for finishing grinding in hard-to-reach places - due to low productivity and the sanding spot, it is unrealistically long to process more or less large surfaces with it.

What type of sander to choose

To summarize, we can say that for housework and construction work, ideally you need two sanding machines - for rough and fine finishing. The most commonly used pair is tape + eccentric. If you are planning to start making furniture, then you cannot do without an oscillator.

If you do not like the result of the belt sander, you can purchase two orbital sanders with different eccentricities. For rough grinding, a tool with an eccentricity of 6-8 mm is suitable, for finishing grinding and even polishing - 2-4 mm. The only disadvantage of this solution is that good eccentric grinders are expensive.

If the budget is limited, and the farm has an angle grinder, rough grinding can be done with its help, and for intermediate or finishing use orbital or vibration. Just keep in mind that vibration is the least productive, although it is the cheapest. If possible, buy an orbital one - it is more versatile and gives better results.

Technical selection criteria

Any tool is divided into classes that differ in working resource (and price). Likewise, a wood sander can be domestic or professional. Household ones are designed for short-term continuous operation with breaks. Basically, it is recommended to work no more than 3 hours a day, taking periodic breaks of 15 minutes.

Professional models are designed to work for 8-12 hours, breaks are rarely needed or not needed at all. The working life of such a tool is many times greater. For this purpose, durable and reliable (read: expensive) materials are used. In addition, the productivity of such equipment is much higher; as a rule, there are a greater number of adjustments.

When choosing, the first thing you have to decide is what class your car should be. It must be said that some manufacturers have quite good household grades, and some also have semi-professional lines. This is an intermediate class; as a rule, for private use it is optimal in terms of price/quality ratio. Some models are used even by professionals.

General selection options

Although wood sanders differ, there are also common points that you need to pay attention to when choosing. Here they are:

These are general points to pay attention to. Now about what is important for different types of grinders.

Tape

When choosing belt sanding, you need to look at the following parameters:

You also need to pay attention to how convenient it is to change the tape. There are also models that allow you to quickly change brushes. Sometimes spare brushes are even included.

Popular models of belt sanders

Eccentric (orbital)

In addition to all the general parameters described, there are some nuances in choosing an eccentric machine for sanding wood:

The selected model must be tested in the store. To do this, install a sandpaper disc on the platform and turn on the tool. Vibration should not be felt at all. This means that it is well balanced and will work comfortably.

Popular models of eccentric grinders

Vibrating

First of all, you need to choose the shape of the sole. It can be rectangular (most often), square or iron-on. The sandpaper fastening system here is a clamping system; you simply stretch a piece of sandpaper of the required size and fix it with clamps. For normal operation of dust removal, holes must be made in the stretched paper in the right places (holes in the platform). It is best to use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, since the presence of dust under the platform leads to a large number of scratches. That is, instead of grinding, we get a damaged part. This is an important point.

What to pay attention to:

The vibration sander is used only for finishing sanding and has low productivity. Only fine grain paper can be placed on it. Rough processing must be carried out using another tool.

Popular models of vibration grinders

To give the wooden surface a perfect smoothness, wood sanders are used. They can be used to polish both products made from new lumber, as well as old, worn-out interior parts, parquet, furniture, floorboards, walls, stairs and other structural elements.

Wood sander

The use of a wood grinding tool speeds up finishing work and improves its quality, and when building a frame wooden house, you simply cannot do without a grinding machine.

Classification of grinding machines

The variety of models, design features and purposes of grinding machines creates the need for their typology. For domestic and industrial purposes, the following models are available on the market:

• belt sanders, including flat-face grinders;
• vibration, including delta grinders;
• orbital or eccentric;
• angle grinders (grinders);
• brush type grinding machines;
• multifunctional renovators.

Purpose of each type of grinder

Different wood sanding equipment performs different functions. A belt sander for wood is intended for rough, primary surface treatment. It can also easily remove a layer of old paint.

A vibratory grinder provides a softer, higher-quality grinding thanks to circular movements of small amplitude. Its working surface has a rectangular shape, allowing you to process areas in straight and obtuse corners of the product. Its version, the delta sander, is equipped with a sole shaped like an iron. This smoothed triangular shape ensures surface treatment in small recesses, recesses, and internal sharp corners.

The purpose of an eccentric or orbital sander is to perfectly grind the surface, practically polishing it. The quality of processing is ensured by the oscillatory-rotational movements performed by the plate. Its shape does not imply use on small surfaces and in hard-to-reach places.

A grinder or an angle grinder, which is found in most home workshops, is often used as a wood grinder. In addition to this main function, the tool can perform many other operations, for which it enjoys well-deserved popularity.

Instead of a wood sander, you can use a multifunctional renovator with a significantly expanded range of functions. In addition to polishing and sanding, this tool can make cuts, cut communications, remove tiles or glued linoleum. It is distinguished by low power consumption, many attachments included and a relatively low price.

A brush-type wood sander is equipped not with an abrasive material, but with a metal brush. It is convenient for her to work on large areas, to work with large objects - boats, parquet and plank floors, countertops, cleaning them from old coatings and plaque. By the type of movement, brush sanders are similar to belt sanders.

The last two types of grinders are used quite rarely. The operation of the equipment can be carried out thanks to an electric motor powered by a network or battery. There are always craftsmen who prefer to make any devices on their own, but a homemade grinder cannot compare with an industrially manufactured one either in performance or functionality. It is mainly suitable for sanding small parts.

Belt sanders

The device of a belt-type sander is based on a roller fastening of an abrasive belt on the sole. It provides rotation at different speeds depending on the power, which varies in the range from 400 W to 1200. In some models, the speed can be changed from a minimum of 150 meters per minute to a maximum of 500 in accordance with the surface properties.

The functionality of the tool is determined by the width of the sanding belt. The larger the size of the belt, the larger the surface that can be processed in the same time, but increasing the size of the belt makes the structure heavier. Another important indicator of the tape is its grain size. If you have belts with different degrees of grain, you can vary the quality of sanding the wood. In addition, the tape must be strong, elastic, with straight edges and smooth joints.

Grinding belt

Machines with a belt-type mechanism are usually equipped with devices for collecting dust and debris, and some are equipped with a connection for connecting a vacuum cleaner. Useful additional functions of a wood belt sander are the ability to automatically center the rotating belt and smoothly control the speed of its movement.

Features of application

Before choosing a belt sander, it is useful to decide what the purpose of its use is. Small or mini sanders are designed for small jobs that can be done with one hand. They are equipped with a device for a 6.3 cm wide tape. The medium-sized ones work with a 7.6 cm tape, and the largest ones, intended for construction, are equipped with devices for a 10 cm wide tape.

A device that simulates the operation of a plane is used to remove the top layers of lumber, as well as to process the cut line and fit wood parts. Linear action combined with the right choice of tape allows even delicate finishes to be achieved.

To work directly near the wall, a belt sander with a flat end is used. Such a surface grinder allows processing right up to the junction with the wall. It is better to carry out large volumes of work using a stationary structure, which is equipped with functions for controlling the depth and quality of grinding.

Rough initial grinding is carried out at an angle against the grain with an 80-grit belt, and final polishing along the grain with a No. 120 belt. Zirconium tapes are used for rough processing, and aluminum oxide for gentle processing.

Vibratory sanders

Abrasive sheets are attached to the oscillating working surfaces of the vibratory grinder using clamps or Velcro. Grinding occurs through light circular and oscillating movements. The amplitude of the oscillations can be adjusted. Coarser processing occurs at an amplitude of 5 mm, and the finest at 1.5. Sanding wood in hard-to-reach places is done with a delta sander having a sole shaped like an iron. The main advantages of such equipment are: its low weight (sometimes less than a kilogram) and dimensions, high-speed oscillatory movements.

When choosing a grinder, its power and oscillation speed are also important. It is useful to select a vibration-type grinder taking into account the possibility of adjusting the rotation speed, which in household units can vary from 2 thousand to 5 thousand revolutions, and fluctuations, which can reach 25 thousand per minute.

Features of application

Convenient to use devices with a sole that can be rotated at different angles. An orbital sander can be used to process new lumber as well as restore furniture, old window frames and other structural wood elements. There are models to which additional attachments can be attached.

Orbital sanders

The working surface of the sole of an orbital (eccentric) sander has the shape of a circle with a disk up to 150 mm in diameter. It has tiny holes made in it to remove dust. The eccentric grinding machine uses the principle of combining oscillatory and rotational movements, as in a vibrating machine, but the quality of polishing is improved due to the complicated trajectory of movement.

When choosing an eccentric grinder, you should pay attention to the operating speed of the device or the number of oscillations per unit time. The ability to adjust the rotation speed and oscillation frequency is optional, but an important additional function that allows you to select the optimal operating mode depending on the quality of the surface.

The power of an orbital sander can range from 200 W to 500, the speed can reach 13 thousand per minute, and the eccentric oscillation frequency is 24 thousand per minute.

Features of application

The discs are coated with abrasive material, which is supplied with the orbital sander and can have different grain sizes to achieve the required degree of processing, down to the finest. Orbital sanders come with polishing felt attachments.

During construction or production, pneumatic modifications are used, but their operation requires high-performance compressor equipment, so pneumatically driven orbital sanders are not used in everyday life. Random orbital sanding equipment is suitable for high-quality finishing of all large wooden surfaces. It can be used to level modular parquet and other expensive cladding.

Angle grinders

Angle grinders are commonly called grinders. Craftsmen love this tool for its versatility; it can be used to sand and cut various materials, but initially it was intended specifically for sanding wood. Grinders are distinguished by their high power and high speed of tool rotation, but they are not suitable for processing internal corners.

Grinders are used as sanders for wooden floors. What kind of woodworking operation will be performed depends on the attachments used. For rough grinding and polishing of painted surfaces, sanding discs-plates consisting of three layers are used. The outer layer is made of either sandpaper or wool flannel, depending on the purpose.

Rough grinding is carried out with flap discs, the working surface of which is covered with sandpaper petals. When processing a wooden floor, 2 or 3 petal discs are used per 10 square meters. m.

To remove a layer of old paint, scraping devices—steel cups with wire brushes—are used.

Review of grinding machine manufacturers

Before choosing a grinding machine, you can read information about domestic and foreign manufacturers. It is preferable to focus on models produced by well-known, well-established manufacturers.

Popular brands are: Bosh, Makita, DeWalt, Hitachi, Interskol, Zubr. Their products are distinguished by durability, high performance and affordable prices.

The approximate costs of popular models of different types of well-known brands are shown in the table:

• Makita is famous for its belt sanders with high performance and ergonomic design;
• Bosh produces high-quality tools of all types, but consumers rate eccentric ones especially highly;
• Hitachi produces premium tools; domestic brands Interskol and Zubr are distinguished by their simplicity and reliability.

Most manufacturers produce sanders for household use, as well as for construction and the production of high-quality lumber. Professional models are much more expensive than household ones, but they can work for an entire shift without breaks, while household equipment needs to be turned off every 15-20 minutes of operation.

The buyer may be interested in how much a budget-class sander costs. You can purchase an orbital (eccentric) sander for up to 3 thousand rubles from domestic brands: Temp, Riobi, Skill.

Products manufactured under the Temp and Riobi trademarks have a function for changing the speed, but do not allow you to adjust the eccentric. Skil brand equipment is heavy and large in size, but is equipped with load indicators.

An angle cutting machine for wood can be bought at a price of 2 thousand to 3 thousand rubles (brands Caliber, Bort, Enkor), or for 6-7 thousand rubles from the Interskol brand, but this will be a more powerful tool.

The prices given are approximate. In addition to the cost and technical characteristics, when buying a tool, you should hold it in your hand and check the following:

1. Is the tool convenient to use?
2. Listen to the sound to see if it is deafening even through headphones.
3. Feel the vibration, whether it is uniform or sometimes hits your hand.
4. Pay attention to the warranty, check the availability of a service nearby.
5. Compare the functions of similar models from different manufacturers.

Safety precautions

When working with a wood sander, you cannot neglect simple rules: wear headphones, a respirator and safety glasses. If the unit is equipped with a dust collector, it must not be cleaned without first unplugging it. The tool should be stored out of the reach of children and should not be left unattended, even when not in use.

Before connecting the unit to the network, you should make sure that the button on the tool is in the off position.

A wood sander is an important and multi-functional tool. It can be used for repair, construction, and restoration of all kinds of wooden products. The sander makes it possible to speed up the process of grinding or polishing wooden surfaces several times, be it walls or floors, furniture or other decorative elements.

Advantages of grinding machines

1. Convenience. When working with a grinding machine, there is no fatigue, and your hands do not go numb. This is possible thanks to the ergonomic handles of the unit.
2. Compactness. Most machines have small dimensions, which allows the unit to have low weight with great functions.
3. Versatility. Using a grinding machine, you can polish or sand both smooth surfaces and, for example, convex ones.
4. Accuracy. This tool allows you to quite smoothly and accurately level a wooden surface.
5. Speed ​​of execution. This tool is a great time saver compared to manual sanding.
6. Perfect result. All elements, from beams to small decorative elements, will have a beautiful, smoothly polished surface.

Main settings

Before choosing a tool, you need to understand its main characteristics.

Types of grinding tools

Grinding machines come in different designs and operating principles. These factors depend on their purpose. The following types of sanders can be used to work with wood:

• vibratory grinding machine (VShM);
• belt grinder (LSM);
• delta grinder (DSM);
• eccentric (orbital) sander;
• brush grinder.

Vibrating sander

VShM is more often used for fine grinding or polishing of wooden surfaces. This tool is also suitable for removing coating material, varnish or paint. Grinding occurs due to oscillatory circular movements with a small amplitude. In some models, the speed of oscillation and amplitude can be adjusted. Sanding occurs with sheets or circles of sandpaper (whether the abrasive material is a sheet or a circle depends on the model), which are attached with Velcro or a clamp.

Belt sander

LSMs are used for initial processing of wood materials, for example, for quickly removing the first layer when sanding or removing outdated paint. This type of sander is also suitable for precise fitting of furniture parts.

The LBM works on the principle of a plane: a circle-shaped belt rotates on rollers and, when pressed, polishes the wooden surface. The layer that is removed from the surface depends on the grain size of the tape. The higher the grain number, the more accurate and thinner the layer being removed.

Advantages of FSM

This type of sander has a number of advantages:

• processing of rough surfaces, it can be used even for unplaned boards, and you can immediately proceed to sanding;
• can be successfully used in hard-to-reach places, such as corners or curls in decorative items:
• precise fitting or trimming of parts along the marking line;
• using a blade, you can level the wooden surface or give it the desired shape;
• allows you to make a smooth rounding of elements.

In order to choose a LSM, you must first decide for what purposes you will use it in the future. The main distinguishing factor of blade grinders is the classification of abrasive belts that are suitable for use with a sander. Minimal LSM options can work with tapes only 6.3 cm wide. Their advantage is that they are very light in weight and can be used with one hand. Larger brothers can work with belts up to 12 cm wide. They can be used to work on large areas. They are ideal for leveling. The best option for a home craftsman may be the option of a tape machine that works with a 760 mm tape.

The next parameter for choosing a LSM is the duration of its use. If you need it for light work, such as finishing small items or hobbies, then a simple inexpensive machine may be suitable for this. For construction, it is better to take a more serious option. Naturally, it costs more, but they, as a rule, do not wear out quickly and the proverb “The miser pays twice” comes in handy.

When choosing a LSM, you should also pay attention to its Extra options:

• rotation speed adjustment;
• automatic centering of the belt (prevents the abrasive from flying off the rollers);
• dust collector

Delta grinder

This is a type of vibration grinding machine. It has the same operating principle - vibration movements. The main difference between this type of grinding machine is the shape of the working element. It is shaped like a triangle or delta (hence the name). This machine can be used to sand corners or hard-to-reach areas such as recesses or protrusions.

Random orbital sander

The second name is orbital sander. This tool is similar in operating principle to a VSM. The difference is that eccentric machines are more productive, grinding is more accurate and finer, and the principle of operation itself occurs due to the complex trajectory of the moving element. Grinding occurs with a disk with a diameter of 15 cm. Abrasive wheels of different grain sizes are attached to the disk using Velcro.

Operating eccentric grinders

This type of grinding tools has a significant drawback: the formation of a large amount of dust. Manufacturers understand this and are working to improve the tools. Some models have dust collectors. This model can easily be used indoors. Therefore, if you plan to work indoors, it is better to take this into account when choosing and look for models with dust collectors.

Brush sander

The main difference between brush grinding tools is that the working part is not represented by sanding paper, but by a brush mainly made of metal. Therefore, such a tool is not suitable for grinding or polishing. It is used for removing coatings. The wood brush sander is designed to work on large areas, such as removing varnish from parquet, updating furniture or other large objects.

This type of grinding machine is also used to “aging” wood. With the help of a hard brush, the wood is given an ancient look, and such an element looks antique.

What to pay attention to when choosing a tool such as a grinder.

When choosing, weigh all the above nuances. You should not be guided only by the price or advertising of the grinding machine. Don't be lazy read the specifications and do not hesitate to ask the consultant about points of interest. After all, you are not acquiring an assistant for just one day.