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 greatly simplified by using suitable 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, what type of device would be better 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
Right choice appliance for home or dacha depends on the type of work performed and the features of the workpiece:
- form;
- size;
- grinding corners and hard-to-reach areas;
- type of coverage.
Suitable for individual jobs different instruments:
- 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 wood sander is ideal for sanding surfaces with complex shapes, inaccessible to most grinding machines; small area soles are 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 highest efficiency, used in workshops, rarely for homework.
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. How larger size, the faster the grinding occurs, but the accuracy decreases.
- Power– the higher the power, the better tool processes hard, complex surfaces (hard deciduous wood - oak). Thanks to 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: round form the soles do not allow for corner processing.
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 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. For various works Various models are suitable.
- 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.
- 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. Manual typewriter equipped with a round disk that operates 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.
- Oscillating sander used for large flat surfaces, perfectly smoothes the surface, the work depends on the thickness of the sandpaper. Optimal choice for beginners, easy to use, safe, does not require special attention.
- 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.
Grinding as a process does not evoke the most pleasant impressions for many, even when just mentioned. What can I say – this is a monotonous, painstaking, time-consuming, and slightly harmful operation, but it cannot be avoided. Modern requirements finishing work has increased so much that no one doubts that the planes should be perfectly smooth.
Let's not forget that there are also ribbons - these are electric files that do not have much power and are not particularly versatile, but they are very valuable due to their compactness (for example, the width of the ribbon is 0.9 cm).
All belt-type machines have a dust removal system, but it does not always work as efficiently as it should. For this reason, dust is dealt with either by connecting a vacuum cleaner through a pipe, or it is collected in a bag that is built into the filter. In very cheap models, the impeller does not cope with its function - for this reason, the channels are quickly forgotten, and many harmful small particles remain in the air.
Vibratory (surface grinding) machines
Let's also take into account the quality of processing. Vibratory sanders are much better in this regard, but are still an intermediate link between orbital and belt sanders.
Using surface grinders, you can sand a surface made of any material - wood, plastic, metal, stone. Due to the relatively large working surface, these devices are suitable for large-area work.
The secret of the demand for such machines lies in their moderate pricing policy, availability of additional elements, as well as the absence of unused (“dead”) zones (the remote flat sole handles corners perfectly).
Polishing and delicacy during grinding are their true element, although the performance of such devices is somewhat lower than in the models described above. They cope with all types of material, which is why such machines are most often found among car painters and carpenters.
This type of grinding machine has no equal, since it does not have any problems with the planes of any coating. The only thing where this machine can fail is in small recesses and corners - such a “plate” simply will not fit there.
Just like in other types of grinders, orbital devices have a counterweight and an eccentric, with the help of which the round plate not only moves around its axis, but also in an “orbit” with a small amplitude. Even the movement along the axis is usually inertial, and in some models it is forced. Such complex algorithm movements allows you to obtain high-quality surfaces without waves, depressions and scratches.
The engines of such machines vary in power from 0.2 kW to 0.9 kW. Those that are more powerful have an order of magnitude higher performance and will pull a sole with a diameter of 15 cm.
Even in terms of translational speed, orbital sanders have differences. If we're talking about about rotation, the indicator can be from 4,000 to 14,000 rpm with the control function, and up to 12,000 rpm without it. If we talk about fluctuations, the numbers will be less than half.
Important: the higher the speed, the rougher the processing, but the faster the execution time.
The span of the eccentric of the orbital device is not the same - from 0.2 to 0.7 cm. This is the amplitude of the oscillation. The smaller the amplitude, the slower the plate moves, the lower the speed, but the better the quality. In some models, the operator can set the amplitude himself, thereby influencing the productivity and subtlety of the work.
Compared to the two previous types of machines, the orbital analogues have excellent electronics. Such a tool is often built into an automatic frequency maintenance system so that it does not decrease under load. This is the merit of constant electronics.
Some models have an electrodynamic brake, which, after turning off the “start,” immediately stops the grinder, thereby preventing damage and reducing the likelihood of injury.
On the farm, you often have to grind something, clean off 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 grinders 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
For the Bulgarian there is special nozzles for sanding wood. The best option- petal or disc-shaped circles with sandpaper of different grain sizes. 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.
Changing the grain size used grinding wheels, 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 sandpaper becomes clogged, the speed of operation 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: high level noise, not the biggest sanding 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 or 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 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 with the angle of the disc you can 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 finishing- for varnishing or painting, but has 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 sanding suitable tool with an eccentricity of 6-8 mm, 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 grinding machines different types.
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
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Tape dimensions (width/length) | Belt speed | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interskol | LShM-76/900 | 900 W | 76 mm / 533 mm | 250 m/min | 3.2 kg | 55-90 $ |
| Makita | 9911 | 650 W | 76 mm / 457 mm | 270 m/min | 2.6 kg | 100-150$ |
| Bosch | PBS 75 AE | 750 W | 75 mm / 533 mm | 350 m/min | 3.5 kg | 120-160$ |
| Interskol | LShM-100/1200E | 1200 W | 100 mm / 610 mm | 400 m/min | 5.6 kg | 100-150$ |
| Makita | 9404 | 1010 W | 100 mm / 610 mm | 440 m/min | 4.7 kg | 200-270$ |
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
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Disc rotation speed | Platform vibration frequency | Disk size | Platform travel (eccentricity) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita | BO5031 | 300 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 2.8 mm | 90-120 $ |
| Makita | BO5041 | 300 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 3 mm | 100-200$ |
| Metabo | SXE 450 TurboTec | 350 W | 13100 rpm | 8500 rpm | 150 mm | 6.2 mm | 185-220$ |
| Bosch | GEX 150 AC | 340 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 150 mm | 4 mm | 175-220$ |
| Bosch | GEX 125-1 AE Box | 250 W | 12000 rpm | 24000 kol/min | 125 mm | 2.5 mm | 70-90$ |
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 extraction in stretched paper in in the right places(holes in the platform) holes need to be made. It is best to connect a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, since the presence of dust under the platform leads to the appearance of large quantity 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
| Manufacturer | Model | Power | Platform vibration frequency | Tape (sole) sizes | Platform progress | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interskol | PShM-115/300E | 300 W | 10500 kol/min | 230x115 mm | 35-50$ | |
| Makita | BO3711 | 190 W | 22000 kol/min | 228x93 mm | 2 mm | 60-75$ |
| Makita | BO3700 | 180 W | 20000 kol/min | 230x93 mm | 2 mm | 50-60$ |
| Bosch | PSS 200 AC | 200 W | 24000 kol/min | 230x93 mm | 2 mm | 50-70$ |
| Hitachi | SV12V | 300 W | 20000 kol/min | 228x114 mm | 2.4 mm | 100-130$ |
Construction or restoration work requires the purchase of a tool for finishing wood (a wood grinder), but which model should you choose? It depends on its purpose, since the tool is multifunctional. The selection criteria are largely influenced by the characteristics of the surfaces being processed: their size or the complexity of the design with many hard-to-reach places. Equally important is the size of the budget allocated for restoration or construction, as well as the experience of the craftsman and his skills in working with tools for sanding wood.
If you need a sander for home use ( minor repairs, hobby), choose simple and quite budget models.
They are light and small in size. To process large volumes of construction or production work (for example, in a furniture workshop), it would be more successful to purchase powerful units.
The following types of woodworking sanders are distinguished:
- tape;
- vibration;
- eccentric;
- angular;
- renovator;
- brush.
Belt sander
It is advantageous to choose such a tool if you need to effectively remove large layers of material (for example, old paint), grind boards, process cut lines and accurately adjust the surfaces of parts.
These units are very powerful, and if the master does not have enough experience, then there is a danger of ruining the surface being treated. Working with a belt sander requires some skill. But with a little practice, you can quite easily, quickly and efficiently process a large area.
When choosing a grinding machine of this type, you need to make sure that you have the necessary equipment: models manufactured by different manufacturers, are equipped with abrasive belts of various sizes.
Inexpensive models have a basic set of features:
- Speed control switch.
- Thermal protection of the motor.
- A nozzle for connecting a vacuum cleaner (or a dust collector).
Vibration sander
A vibrating machine is a tool for a more “delicate” effect on the surface of the wood. The work surface is often rectangular in shape, which makes it convenient for sanding corners.
The main criteria when choosing this particular type of machine are:
- Dimensions of the working surface (sole). This parameter directly affects the speed of work performed.
- Sole shape. Rectangular surface can be supplemented with a triangular wedge for working in hard-to-reach places.
- The amplitude of the machine’s movements: as it increases, the processing speed increases. But this may affect the quality of grinding.
- Method of fixing an abrasive surface. There are several possible options: clips, Velcro, combined method.
- Possibility of adjusting the speed of movement: it may be different for different wood.
- A way to get rid of chips and dust.
The parameters of grinders that you should pay attention to in this case are:
- Platform size (diagonal or triangle area).
- Tool performance, which is directly related to the oscillation frequency (up to 2600 counts/min).
- Weight (about 1 kg)
- Power (most often from 300 to 200 W).
Random orbital sander
An eccentric or orbital machine processes the wood until it is completely polished.
The eccentric machine processes the wood until it is completely polished.
Difficult areas are processed in a different way, often manually. This design is distinguished by a complex trajectory of movement of the working surface: the sole of the machine makes rotational and oscillatory-orbital movements. Pneumatic models are most convenient to use.
This type of tool is the most expensive. Moreover, pneumatic models of grinders must be equipped with a high-performance compressor. This is not always possible when household use. Most often, such a tool is used in production.
If the shape of the surface is triangular (delta grinder), then such a tool is used if it is necessary to work in hard-to-reach places. This makes it possible to avoid manual sanding. The abrasive paper is attached to the base using Velcro, which makes it quick and easy to replace.
The speed of its work is very high. This model brings any detail to perfect smoothness, but it can only be used to work on large and even surfaces.
Additional devices
Angle grinders have high productivity, which is explained by the presence of a powerful drive and high speed of the equipment. However significant drawback model is the inability to process internal corners. Delta nozzles or renovators are more suitable for grinding them.
The renovator is similar to the delta modification of the vibration machine, but has significantly greater functionality.
The list of its capabilities includes:
- polishing and sanding wood and other materials;
- creating slots;
- cleaning walls and other surfaces from linoleum, tiles, etc.;
- local repairs of power structures and cladding.
A professional tool of this type is equipped with a warning device that notifies with sound signals of excessive load on the surface being processed. Depending on the volume of the surface being processed and the tasks assigned, the master may prefer a model with a two-handed grip. This is convenient if necessary long work. The advantage of one-handed models is their compactness.
Moreover, manufacturers are constantly increasing the number of possible operations performed by the tool. Additional advantages of the renovator are its ability to work both from the network and from a battery, low power consumption, quite affordable price. Brushing machines do not use an abrasive belt, but metal brushes. This type of tool is convenient for processing large surfaces. It is used to remove old coating.
The features of each unit make it effective in performing certain tasks:
- The belt sander works well on large, flat surfaces, for example, voluminous parts of simple configuration. But this type of tool is not very convenient for processing small items.
- Vibratory grinders have average productivity and are effective for processing parts various shapes, do not leave traces, and are economical in energy consumption.
- Eccentric models are good for achieving high quality processing: grinding or polishing.
- Renovator or delta modification is a tool for designing furniture. It is also used for work on interior decoration wooden elements.
Such units cannot operate continuously; operation will have to be stopped every 15 minutes. The most universal model is considered to be a belt sander. It is suitable for processing not only wood, but also other types of surfaces (plastic, metal), and can be useful for both professionals and amateur craftsmen. Expensive professional grinders can operate non-stop for a full working day. They also have the function of centering the abrasive belt, which saves material.
To make the work easier, the master can equip the grinding machine with a stand on which the tool is attached. When performing grinding, you can move, rotate, and guide the material itself, and not the heavy unit. If the work continues for a long time, then even if you have a relatively small machine, it is much easier to manipulate the workpiece.
Grinding uneven surfaces- it's not an easy matter. Previously, sandpaper was widely used as a grinding tool, but in our age high technology The sanding method has become obsolete due to its low efficiency and labor intensity. Today, grinding machines, both belt and vibrating, come to the rescue in the difficult task of grinding. The variety of grinding machines is huge, so it makes sense to consider each type separately, and in this article we will talk about belt machines. We've found the most popular belt sanders and will help our readers figure out which belt sander is best for you.
Price - 14,999 rubles 
Our rating opens with a compact grinder from famous manufacturer household appliances Makita, it can be used both for industrial purposes and for processing simple surfaces in living conditions. Thanks to its small size, the machine can be used on hard-to-reach surface edges, such as wall corners or vertical elements wooden furniture. High quality workmanship does not limit the range of working surfaces only to wood - even stone, metal or plastic can be processed using the machine.
The price tag, however, leaves much to be desired - for that kind of money you can buy three grinding machine a smaller class, but for a professional this tool will be indispensable.
No. 9 - Hammer LSM 810
Price - 4,999 rubles
An excellent sander with a dust collector and adjustable shaft speed. The machine's trigger mechanism is protected from accidental starting, and the electrical wiring is double insulated, which minimizes the risks of operation. The device is powered from a 220V network and is well suited for use in household and industrial purposes. The belt stroke is manually adjusted by a special mechanism, which is why the unit costs less than models of a similar category. You can center the tape using a special pin, which is located on the front of the tool. The wide 75 mm belt combined with a powerful 810 W motor allows you to sand even difficult surfaces with high efficiency.
No. 8 - Hammer LSM 800B
Price - 4,500 rubles
A massive unit with functionality reminiscent of a sanding machine. Used for processing wood, chipboard panels and plywood. The 800V machine is not difficult to operate, unlike similar machines with a higher power engine. There is a start button lock, so you won't damage the untreated surface by accidentally starting the device. The unit is characterized by increased ease of use - with rubber pads and an additional handle, the machine is comfortable to hold despite its solid power. The belt speed is adjustable from 120 to 290 meters per minute, which increases the versatility of the machine and allows you to process various wooden surfaces. Quite an acceptable option for your money.
No. 7 - BORT BBS-801N
Price - 3,500 rubles
Reliable and inexpensive grinding machine from a Chinese brand. The manufacturer gives a five-year warranty for this device; the box includes a dust collector and three types of sanding belt (P60, P80, P100) along with the machine itself. The position of the sanding belt is adjusted by a centering screw, which can take one of 3 positions for different types of work. Next to the switch there is a belt rotation speed switch; the owner can set one of six speed modes, while the device must be turned on. The body of the machine is made of durable impact-resistant plastic, the instructions are written in 4 languages, including Russian, so there should be no problems with setup and operation. The machine is well suited for both home and country use; industrial use is not recommended.
No. 6 - Bosch PBS 75A
Price - 5,999 rubles
An advanced belt sander from a world-famous brand. The tool is equipped with a vacuum adapter, a 75 mm wide sanding belt, and a 710V motor. The thoughtful layout and high quality of fitting of parts do not cause any complaints; we pay not only for the brand, but for comfort and reliability. The PBS 75A weighs just over 4 kg, which is not the best, but with frequent use you can quickly get used to it. Among the disadvantages of the machine we can highlight small sizes dust collector - not all dust ends up in the collection container, so during operation it is important to use minimal protection. It is possible to work with the unit for a long time and with any surfaces - the low level of vibration prevents your hands from getting tired even when processing hard materials.
#5 - Black and Decker KA86
Price - 3,999 rubles
One of the best is in the top 5 of our rating budget models grinding machines. Weighing 2.8 kg, the instrument has good performance characteristics, while being cheaper than competing models. The machine is equipped with a capacious dust collector, but it does not collect dust as well as we would like, so it is worth taking care of additional eye protection.
Unfortunately, the device is not suitable for use in industrial environments, but for everyday household needs It will do just fine, it's a good belt sander for wood. A 720W motor and a 75 mm wide belt are enough to process any wooden surface; the machine is also equipped with an additional belt tightening function, which is missing in many expensive models.
Black and Decker KA86
No. 4 - Caliber LShM-1000UE
Price - 3,200 rubles
Decent option from domestic manufacturer, affordable and convenient sanding machine. This tool will serve as a good assistant for repairs; the tape is clearly fixed and does not slip during operation, although this device has a non-critical design flaw: The dust collector does not catch scraps well, so dust after work will have to be collected throughout the room. The 1 kW motor is sufficient for processing any surface; the belt speed is adjustable in the range from 120 to 360 m/m. The device comes with a handle with a lever for a comfortable grip, as well as 2 additional carbon brushes. The sander weighs 3.6 kg, the belt width is 76 mm, the machine is suitable for daily use, however, the belt gets very hot and the device requires short breaks to avoid overheating and rupture of the working part.
Caliber LShM-1000UE
No. 3 - Interskol LShM-100/1200E
Price - 6,300 rubles
The top three is closed by another domestically produced product, the Interskol belt sander. Of all the models presented in the rating, this model has the most powerful motor (1200 W), so it can scrape laminate flooring, grind stone and level metal surfaces. The Interskol belt sander is best suited for long-term use in difficult conditions - it seems that even asphalt can be sanded with it, but with its weight of 5.6 kg this will not be an easy mission. The machine comes with a dust collector, which does its main task very well, but you still can’t do it without a protective mask and gloves. The machine can be converted for sharpening garden tools, the comfortable rubberized handle prevents it from slipping out of your hands, the tape is easily and quickly replaced, but for rare household needs it is reasonable to look for something simpler.
Interskol LShM-100/1200E
No. 2 - Skil 1215 LA
Price - 4,300 rubles
An interesting device, made in a futuristic design, but appearance is by no means the most important of its advantages. The power of 650W is enough for repair work or use for small household purposes; such a tool is not suitable for industrial processing. The machine weighs 2.9 kg, the speed does not sag, the belt is automatically centered when the device is turned on. The productivity of the tape is limited to a threshold of 300 meters/min, which is more than enough for everyday life.
The machine is easy to assemble and disassemble, which may be necessary when the chassis becomes clogged with dust. With this machine, dust can be the only problem, since the size of the dust collector is not very impressive, and there is no way to control its filling. The machine's engine does not overheat even during long periods of operation, but it is recommended to pause occasionally to allow the abrasive belt to cool.
№1 - Black Decker KA 88
Price - 4,299 rubles
The leader of our rating was a grinding machine from the previously mentioned company, which outperformed other models in terms of price and quality and has impressive functionality. Externally, the unit resembles a vacuum cleaner without a hose, equipped with a comfortable rubberized semicircle handle with a comfortable grip. By the way, this machine not only resembles a vacuum cleaner in appearance, but also catches flying dust just as well, thanks to which the surface being treated remains clean. The device weighs a little more than 3.5 kg, which is acceptable for its size. Abrasive tape can be easily replaced with just one movement of a special handle, and the 720 W motor is enough to process medium-hard surfaces. Thanks to the reduced front roller, the machine can produce high-quality processing both wide and narrow areas in hard-to-reach places, which is achieved using a 75 mm wide belt with a maximum travel speed of 250 m/minute.