You need to choose the right tool to sand wood. There are many sanders on the market, but the wrong tool can make the process of sanding wood a nightmare. Wood sanders vary in their power and finesse, depending on the purpose. This is why I created this article Belt Sander Vs Orbital Sander: What’s the Difference?
You might be wondering what tools you’ll need if you’re new to woodworking. This is especially true for those with limited funds, as you will need to prioritize which tools are purchased now and which later.
Belt sanders are and orbital sanders are essential tools in woodworking. But again, if you are new to woodworking, you might not be familiar with what these tools are or what the main differences between them are. And if you were to decide which one to buy, what should you look for?
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A belt sander can be used to remove large pieces of material. Belt sanders are equipped with electric motors to turn two drums, each of which is fitted with a loop made from sandpaper. Belt sanders can work with large surfaces and long-lasting tools. These sanders are ideal for shaping and finishing wood at the beginning stages.
Belt Sanders Characteristics
Stationary Belt Sander
Stationary belt sanders can be mounted to a workbench and are therefore stationary. As the sandbelt turns, any material that needs to be finished or shaped is held against it. This tool is ideal for small wood projects. It can also be used to sharpen tools on metal and wood.
Handheld Belt Sander
The Handheld Belt Sander can be described as a portable tool. They are portable, so the name Handheld Belt Sander is appropriate. This tool requires two hands to operate. One hand must hold the trigger, the other the forward handle. Belt sanders can be very strong so you must hold onto them.
Speed
In feet per minute, the speed of a belt-sander is measured. The faster your belt sander runs, the higher it is. You can still get a belt sander with variable speed. You can adjust the speed as needed.
An orbital sander (also known as a disk sander) is a power tool that uses an orbital sander. These discs spin in small circles to deal with large furniture corners and edges. These orbital sanders can be used for large woodworking projects because they are square-shaped. They can leave swirl marks. This is why I do not recommend using them on projects that will need to be painted later.
Orbital Sanders Characteristics
Speed
The average orbital sander can work at around 10,000 orbits per hour. A faster speed is better for larger projects. However, it’s important to remember that orbital sanders work at a slower rate, which means you have less control over the tool. There are models that can be set to different speeds, which I appreciate.
Power
An orbital sander’s power is measured in amps. The tool runs faster if the amps are higher. Orbital sanders are usually less powerful and are not designed for large jobs that involve removing a lot of wood.
Handles
There are a variety of handles for orbital sanders:
- For projects that require you reach under furniture, jug-grip handles can be a great choice.
- Pistol grip handles offer reasonable control and let the user use only one hand.
- These handles have the most popularity and are very comfortable to grip.
There are three major differences between orbital and belt sanders.
Power
Orbital sanders are significantly more powerful than belt sanders. It is easy to accidentally sand away too much with a belt, whereas orbital sanders can’t be used for large jobs that require a lot of wood removal. For those concerned about not sanding too much, orbital sanders provide the right amount of power.
Sanding Mechanism
These sanders have different sanding mechanisms. Belt sanders use sandpaper that moves in loops to make it easy to sand down material quickly. Orbital sanders use sandpaper that moves in a circular motion. The sandpaper is attached to the sander using a Velcro system or peel and stick.
Sanding Grit
Both sanders use different types of sandpaper. Orbital sanders offer the most versatility, as you can connect almost any type of sandpaper to them. Belt sanders require a particular type of sandpaper because the sandpaper moves in the loop of the tool. Belt sanders require a special type of sandpaper.
Which Are You Using?
Although orbital and belt sanders may be similar, they should not be used for the same purpose. These are some examples of when you should use which orbital sander:
Uses For Belt Sanders
- Large surface jobs
- Smoothen rough surfaces
- Smoothen and even finish
- Jobs that don’t require any additional treatment after sanding
Which One Should You Choose?
If you are forced to choose, I recommend the best sander. A belt sander. Although it may leave marks on your project it can cover large areas quickly. You can remove a lot of material with coarse sandpaper. If you want a more refined look, you can use lighter sandpaper. The belt sander is an efficient and powerful power tool.
Wrapping Up
Orbital Sander and Belt Sander: What is the Difference? This article should have helped you to understand the differences between an orbital and a belt sander. Which do you prefer? Are you a belt- or orbital sander owner? Are you thinking of buying one? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
This article was enjoyable. You can also check out other articles that I have written.
