I’ve researched and compared the best detail sanders on the UK market. My top recommendation is the Bosch PSM 100 A Multi Sander.
My Top Recommended Detail Sanders
Editors Choice
Bosch PSM 100 A Multi Sander
1. Best value corded detail sander for quality - Bosch PSM 100 A Multi Sander
2. Best on a budget - BLACK+DECKER BEW230 Detail Mouse Electric Sander[ SAVE 33% ]
3. Best small handheld for power - BLACK+DECKER KA2500K Next Generation Mouse Sander[ SAVE 4% ]
4. Best cordless detail sander for performance - Bosch PSM 18 LI Cordless Multisander[ SAVE 19% ]
5. Best budget cordless detail sander - Ryobi R18PS-0 18V ONE+ Cordless Palm Sander[ SAVE 9% ]
6. Best lightweight corded detail sander - Worx WX648 Detail Sander
7. Best cordless detail sander for beginners - Wesco 18V Cordless Detail Mouse Sander[ SAVE 16% ]
8. Best cordless with battery & charger - VonHaus Cordless Sander E-Series 18V – Detail Palm Sanding Machine
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My Product Reviews & Opinions
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The Bosch PSM 100 A is probably the best detail sander for furniture restoration because it’s light, comfortable to use and comes in a sturdy Bosch blow moulded case.
First off, this Bosch detail sander comes from Bosch’s “green” line of quality DIY level tools, and the build quality speaks for itself. It’s a sturdy little electric sander that puts out 100 Watts of power. It feels nice in the hand and weighing in at just 900 g, there’s not much there to tire your arm out quickly.
The rubber soft-grip top fits the hand well. The on/off switch is in just the right spot to be operated with one finger and it’s pretty quiet during operation. It’s good that the vibrations have been kept to a minimum as well.
The entire footpad can be replaced as well. The foam upper is attached with the same hook and loop system as the pads, so you can keep this little sander in service for a long time. Bosch throw in three quality pads- 80, 120 and 160 grit sanding sheets to get you started.
Overall, this is a powerful detail sander in a quality and cost-saving package with an effective filtered dust collection box. I like the long extension cable and sturdy case that will keep everything together and out of trouble when it’s not in use. The best little sander I’ve used for a while.
Best value corded detail sander for quality
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
The Bosch PSM 100 A is probably the best detail sander for furniture restoration because it’s light, comfortable to use and comes in a sturdy Bosch blow moulded case.
First off, this Bosch detail sander comes from Bosch’s “green” line of quality DIY level tools, and the build quality speaks for itself. It’s a sturdy little electric sander that puts out 100 Watts of power. It feels nice in the hand and weighing in at just 900 g, there’s not much there to tire your arm out quickly.
The rubber soft-grip top fits the hand well. The on/off switch is in just the right spot to be operated with one finger and it’s pretty quiet during operation. It’s good that the vibrations have been kept to a minimum as well.
The entire footpad can be replaced as well. The foam upper is attached with the same hook and loop system as the pads, so you can keep this little sander in service for a long time. Bosch throw in three quality pads- 80, 120 and 160 grit sanding sheets to get you started.
Overall, this is a powerful detail sander in a quality and cost-saving package with an effective filtered dust collection box. I like the long extension cable and sturdy case that will keep everything together and out of trouble when it’s not in use. The best little sander I’ve used for a while.
Features:
- Power
- Mains - 100W
- Speed
- 26,000rpm
- Sanding Area
- 104cm2
- Weight
- 0.9kg
Pros
- The Microfilter dust box doesn’t just collect the bits that come off the workpiece, but it helps to stop fine particles from getting into the air, and inside your lungs.
- It’s small and lightweight, but the 100 Watt motor punches above its weight and puts out an impressive amount of power.
- It’s a comfortable tool to use. The rubberised soft grip is really comfortable, and Bosch have built it with ergonomics in mind.
- I like the simplicity of this tool. It’s easy to set up, the pads attach and detach without a fuss, and it’s built to last.
Cons
- Users have complained about the foam shoe that sits between the tool and the sanding sheet. In some cases, it has broken down quickly, making the sander unusable.
- If you sand too hard, you can damage the hooks and loops that holds the sanding pads on securely. It takes a bit of practise to get this right.
- Unfortunately, you can’t replace the foam backing on this sander. Compared to some detail sanders this is a bit disappointing.
- You don’t get many sanding sheets or pads to get started with. Just three in comparison with the large kit you get in the BLACK+DECKER Mouse sander.
BLACK + DECKER are still one of the biggest names in DIY, and the BEW230 is the original Mouse sander. It’s shaped like a computer mouse because that’s where B+D took their inspiration from. This is the original, and some say the best detail sander on the market.
The design of this sander has been perfected over the years, and you can really tell. The shape fits the hand nicely, and there are several rubberised patches that fit your thumb and fingers to maximise grip and manoeuvrability. And even though it’s small, the sanding pad is an impressive 140 mm².
The on/off switch is placed right where the tip of your index finger rests, which saves you fiddling around when you need to turn it on. It’s lightweight at 950 g, and the 55 Watt motor gives you all the grunt you need to sand down furniture, surfaces, or just about anything else.
It’s hard to fault the original palm sander in my opinion. It’s well put together, you can easily attach your dust extractor hose using the adapter, and it won’t break the bank either.
Best on a budget
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
BLACK + DECKER are still one of the biggest names in DIY, and the BEW230 is the original Mouse sander. It’s shaped like a computer mouse because that’s where B+D took their inspiration from. This is the original, and some say the best detail sander on the market.
The design of this sander has been perfected over the years, and you can really tell. The shape fits the hand nicely, and there are several rubberised patches that fit your thumb and fingers to maximise grip and manoeuvrability. And even though it’s small, the sanding pad is an impressive 140 mm².
The on/off switch is placed right where the tip of your index finger rests, which saves you fiddling around when you need to turn it on. It’s lightweight at 950 g, and the 55 Watt motor gives you all the grunt you need to sand down furniture, surfaces, or just about anything else.
It’s hard to fault the original palm sander in my opinion. It’s well put together, you can easily attach your dust extractor hose using the adapter, and it won’t break the bank either.
Features:
- Power
- Mains - 55W
- Speed
- 11,000rpm
- Sanding Area
- 140cm2
- Weight
- 0.95kg
Pros
- For the price, this is a capable and reliable little detail sander. The grip shape works well and it’s comfortable to use. The shape of the sanding pad means you can get into tight spots.
- You don’t need to worry about batteries that might run out half way through a job. This sander’s light enough that being corded doesn’t make a lot of difference in performance.
- B+D have thrown in six decent sanding pads to get you going. They’re held in place by a hook and loop system that makes changing them out a simple process.
Cons
- One of the best attachments on any detail sander is the narrow “finger” attachment on the front. This sander can take this accessory, but it’s not included in the purchase price.
- The no load speed of just 11,000 rpm feels slow. It’s the joint slowest sander on my list, so don’t expect it to race through the work.
- Having a dust extractor adapter is good, but this sander lacks a dust bag or external dust filter. If you’re using this tool without a dust collector, be prepared to create a lot of mess!
This clever little sander is the latest version of the tried and tested B+D Mouse sander. The KA2500K Next Generation mouse sander is a more aggressive and harder working sander for when you need a bit more power.
It has more rubberised grip sections on the top, and more pronounced front and rear handles. The on/off switch is further back on the unit, giving you more ways to hold it during use. You can hold on to it with your palm or use your fingers on the barrel grip if you prefer.
Everything about this sander is just a bit more beefed up compared with the BEW230 Mouse sander. It has a 120 Watt motor, puts out 14,00 rpm, and comes with a whopping nine sheets of sandpaper. One thing I really like about this sander is the fine detail tip that is great for getting into tight spots between bannisters, for example.
The sander comes in a handy kit box, and you get a useful dust collection box as well. It has an inbuilt dust canister that will keep most of the mess off your surfaces and uses mesh sanding sheets that should last longer than regular paper ones.
Best small handheld for power
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
This clever little sander is the latest version of the tried and tested B+D Mouse sander. The KA2500K Next Generation mouse sander is a more aggressive and harder working sander for when you need a bit more power.
It has more rubberised grip sections on the top, and more pronounced front and rear handles. The on/off switch is further back on the unit, giving you more ways to hold it during use. You can hold on to it with your palm or use your fingers on the barrel grip if you prefer.
Everything about this sander is just a bit more beefed up compared with the BEW230 Mouse sander. It has a 120 Watt motor, puts out 14,00 rpm, and comes with a whopping nine sheets of sandpaper. One thing I really like about this sander is the fine detail tip that is great for getting into tight spots between bannisters, for example.
The sander comes in a handy kit box, and you get a useful dust collection box as well. It has an inbuilt dust canister that will keep most of the mess off your surfaces and uses mesh sanding sheets that should last longer than regular paper ones.
Features:
- Power
- Mains - 120W
- Speed
- 14,000rpm
- Sanding Area
- 110cm2
- Weight
- 1.0kg
Pros
- If you need a bit more power for your next sanding job, compared with the B+D BEW230 Mouse sander, this one has a lot more grunt. The 120 Watt motor is more than enough for DIY jobs around the home or garden.
- The fine detail sanding tip is worth the price of this sander alone. Trying to sand narrow areas with a piece of sandpaper is almost impossible, this attachment is excellent.
- Even though this has a decent size motor, the vibrations have been kept down to a minimum. It makes this little sander more comfortable to use over long periods.
Cons
- Several users have complained about the dust collection cannister. It still leaves a lot of dust in the air, and the connector shape means you can’t attach your own dust extractor.
- The placement of the on/off switch favours holding the sander by the rear handle. Compared with the fingertip switch on the BEW230, it’s nowhere near as easy to use.
- The on/off switch isn’t completely protected against dust. After a lot of use, the switch can get gummed up with dust. The completely sealed switch on the BEW230 is a bit better.
The Bosch PSM 18 LI is probably the best cordless palm sander you can get. It’s a high-performance tool with an incredible extending sanding pad that can get into the tightest spots.
The PSM 18 makes up part of Bosch’s trusted “green” line of DIY level tools. And as the best palm sanders go, this one is a joy to use. The rubberised grip is comfortable and helps to cut down on nasty vibrations. The charge indicator on the front is great for keeping tabs on how much juice you have left too.
Weighing in at 1.3 kg, this “naked” power tool isn’t supplied with batteries. But, it can be powered by any of the Bosch 18 V Power For All battery systems. You can save money if you’ve already bought into their power system though.
What makes this palm sander really special though, is Bosch’s SDS two-plate sanding system. The front portion of the sanding foot can be replaced with several different shape pads. This includes a genius finger-shaped one that will get into any nook or cranny you need it to. They’re not included, unfortunately, but having the option is worth mentioning alone.
Best cordless detail sander for performance
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
The Bosch PSM 18 LI is probably the best cordless palm sander you can get. It’s a high-performance tool with an incredible extending sanding pad that can get into the tightest spots.
The PSM 18 makes up part of Bosch’s trusted “green” line of DIY level tools. And as the best palm sanders go, this one is a joy to use. The rubberised grip is comfortable and helps to cut down on nasty vibrations. The charge indicator on the front is great for keeping tabs on how much juice you have left too.
Weighing in at 1.3 kg, this “naked” power tool isn’t supplied with batteries. But, it can be powered by any of the Bosch 18 V Power For All battery systems. You can save money if you’ve already bought into their power system though.
What makes this palm sander really special though, is Bosch’s SDS two-plate sanding system. The front portion of the sanding foot can be replaced with several different shape pads. This includes a genius finger-shaped one that will get into any nook or cranny you need it to. They’re not included, unfortunately, but having the option is worth mentioning alone.
Features:
- Power
- Battery - 18V
- Speed
- 22000opm
- Sanding Area
- 104cm2
- Weight
- 1.3kg
Pros
- You don’t have to worry about getting tied down by power cables. A light and portable tool like this sander is vastly improved by being cordless.
- If you’ve already got a Bosch 18V drill, your batteries will fit this sander!
- The detachable SDS front plate makes this an incredibly versatile bit of kit for all your sanding tasks. If you invest in the different sanding sheets and attachments there’s nothing you can’t get.
- Featuring a Microfilter dust collection box, the number of dangerous particles in the air is greatly reduced. Compared to the dust bags on cheaper sanders like the Wesco, it’s easier to clean afterwards as well.
Cons
- As good as the extra attachments are, you’re going to have to shell out extra for them because they’re not included.
- This is a “naked” tool, so don’t expect it to come with a battery or charger.
- Some users have had problems with the on/off switch. There’s a slight gap around the outside that can get clogged with fine dust particles and stop it functioning properly.
- Compared to the extremely capable BLACK+DECKER Mouse, this sander is a lot more expensive and doesn’t come many accessories. This isn’t a starter kit.
Japanese tool manufacturer Ryobi have been providing clever solutions for DIYers since 1945. Famous for their ONE+ battery system, you can use just one battery to power almost any type of power tool or accessory you can think of.
Ryobi’s R18PS-0 is one of the best cordless palm sanders for DIYers I’ve got my hands on so far. It keeps up Ryobi’s reputation for solid, quality DIY tools that are surprisingly affordable. And if you’ve already got a Ryobi battery to hand, this “naked” palm sander is an absolute bargain.
It’s a robust feeling palm sander that’s a bit taller and bulkier than the Bosch, but not so much that it’s uncomfortable to use. Weighing just over 1 kg with the battery installed means it’s easy on the arms. The rubber grips are comfortable enough and the power switch is easy to reach with one finger while in use.
One drawback of this palm sander is the dust collection box, or lack of it. If you want to keep your workspace dust-free you’re going to have to buy a separate vacuum hose and connector to fit in the rectangular port on the side of the body. But for the price, it’s still one of the best cordless palm sanders out there.
Best budget cordless detail sander
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Japanese tool manufacturer Ryobi have been providing clever solutions for DIYers since 1945. Famous for their ONE+ battery system, you can use just one battery to power almost any type of power tool or accessory you can think of.
Ryobi’s R18PS-0 is one of the best cordless palm sanders for DIYers I’ve got my hands on so far. It keeps up Ryobi’s reputation for solid, quality DIY tools that are surprisingly affordable. And if you’ve already got a Ryobi battery to hand, this “naked” palm sander is an absolute bargain.
It’s a robust feeling palm sander that’s a bit taller and bulkier than the Bosch, but not so much that it’s uncomfortable to use. Weighing just over 1 kg with the battery installed means it’s easy on the arms. The rubber grips are comfortable enough and the power switch is easy to reach with one finger while in use.
One drawback of this palm sander is the dust collection box, or lack of it. If you want to keep your workspace dust-free you’re going to have to buy a separate vacuum hose and connector to fit in the rectangular port on the side of the body. But for the price, it’s still one of the best cordless palm sanders out there.
Features:
- Power
- Battery - 18V
- Speed
- 22,000opm
- Sanding Area
- 140cm2
- Weight
- 1.1kg
Pros
- Ryobi’s ONE+ battery system is great. If you’ve already got their 18V tools you can get to it right away with this sander.
- The power switch is in a handy place if you’re right handed and easy to use with your thumb.
- The build quality is good. Everything feels robust and up to the task.
- If you happen to use a 5.0 h battery, it will last for an incredibly long time on this little tool.
- The triangular shape of the sole is ideal. It’s wide enough for covering large areas but can get into corners when you need it to.
Cons
- Don’t buy this sander expecting it to come with batteries or a charger. This is a “naked” tool like more Ryobi products.
- When Ryobi say “naked”, they mean it. This sander doesn’t even come with a sanding pad.
- The dimensions of this sander are much larger in comparison to the BLACK+DECKER Mouse. It’s not bulky, but it’s certainly big for a detail sander.
- If you’re left handed the power switch is on the wrong side for easy access.
Making tough but affordable DIY tools, the Worx WX648 De-Tail sander is an ultra-lightweight detail sander. It doesn’t have the biggest motor but still has an excellent power to weight ratio.
Even though it’s remarkably light at just 700 g, Worx have made sure this little sander is well put together. Everything feels solid, and the rubber overmoulding is in the right places to help reduce at least some of the vibration.
The shape of the sanding foot is well thought out as well, it’s fine enough to get into tight corners. When you need that extra length, you can swap out the tip for an extended finger sander attachment. Luckily, it’s included in the set.
The small dust collection box is filtered and seems to collect a fair amount, but you can connect to a shop vac for the best results. Worx have also included 15 different grit sanding sheets and six sanding sheets for the finger attachment.
Best lightweight corded detail sander
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Making tough but affordable DIY tools, the Worx WX648 De-Tail sander is an ultra-lightweight detail sander. It doesn’t have the biggest motor but still has an excellent power to weight ratio.
Even though it’s remarkably light at just 700 g, Worx have made sure this little sander is well put together. Everything feels solid, and the rubber overmoulding is in the right places to help reduce at least some of the vibration.
The shape of the sanding foot is well thought out as well, it’s fine enough to get into tight corners. When you need that extra length, you can swap out the tip for an extended finger sander attachment. Luckily, it’s included in the set.
The small dust collection box is filtered and seems to collect a fair amount, but you can connect to a shop vac for the best results. Worx have also included 15 different grit sanding sheets and six sanding sheets for the finger attachment.
Features:
- Power
- Mains - 65W
- Speed
- 11,000rpm
- Sanding Area
- 120cm2
- Weight
- 0.7kg
Pros
- The extendable finger pad gets you into places that other sanders wish they could.
- I really like the grip on this sander, Worx haven’t skimped on the soft touch rubber.
- The large on/off switch is dust-proof and easy to operate with just one finger.
- The filtered dust collection box is an upgrade on the standard dust bag.
Cons
- Compared with some more powerful options on my list, the 65 Watts that this sander puts out feels quite weak. It’ll get the job done but struggle with anything more than light sanding jobs.
- The rpm speed of just 11,000 is low compared to most of the competition.
- Some users have noted that the dust collection box struggles to keep up with the sander and lets a lot of dust escape during use.
- Even though this sander comes with plenty of sanding pads, some users have struggled to find replacements.
The WESCO 18V cordless palm sander. It’s a brand you might not know well, but after taking a closer look it’s one of the best detail sanders I’ve tested. And it’s a bargain too because WESCO include a whole kit. A 2.0 Ah battery, a charger, and a reasonable selection of sanding sheets too.
The build quality of this sander is rather good on first impression. The blue plastic casing feels solid and the rubber overmoulding creates a decent grippy surface. The vibrations are kept down to a reasonable level.
The battery itself is mounted sideways on the rear of the sander, which might get in the way if access is particularly tight. But, seeing as WESCO have included an SDS system like the Bosch, you should be fine. You can extend the front part of the sanding shoe to get into tight spots. It’s a feature you’d only expect to find on the best cordless palm sanders.
Best cordless detail sander for beginners
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
The WESCO 18V cordless palm sander. It’s a brand you might not know well, but after taking a closer look it’s one of the best detail sanders I’ve tested. And it’s a bargain too because WESCO include a whole kit. A 2.0 Ah battery, a charger, and a reasonable selection of sanding sheets too.
The build quality of this sander is rather good on first impression. The blue plastic casing feels solid and the rubber overmoulding creates a decent grippy surface. The vibrations are kept down to a reasonable level.
The battery itself is mounted sideways on the rear of the sander, which might get in the way if access is particularly tight. But, seeing as WESCO have included an SDS system like the Bosch, you should be fine. You can extend the front part of the sanding shoe to get into tight spots. It’s a feature you’d only expect to find on the best cordless palm sanders.
Features:
- Power
- Battery - 18V
- Speed
- 13,000opm
- Sanding Area
- 120cm2
- Weight
- 1.1kg
Pros
- You get a fully cordless kit for a lot less than you might think. It makes this the best sander kit if you’re thinking about getting into DIY without having to invest much money.
- The 1.1 kg weight isn’t too much, but it lends the sander a bit of authority when sanding.
- If you use other Wesco 18V tools, you can share the batteries around.
- The detail finger extension is integrated into the front of the sander. Compared to the detachable one on the Bosch PSM 18 LI, it’s impossible to lose!
Cons
- Battery powered tools are at their best when you have a spare battery. Unfortunately, the Wesco only comes with one.
- Of all the detail sanders I’ve tried out, this is probably the least comfortable to use. The shape isn’t as ergonomic as the Worx sander.
- Some users have stated that the dust collection box isn’t effective. Compared to the filtered boxes on the Bosch and Worx sanders, the dust bag isn’t great.
Manchester-based tool and homewares brand VonHaus have a decent range of kit to suit most budgets. Doing away with those pesky wires is their E-Series range of 18 Volt cordless tools. Their cordless detail sander is a lightweight and capable machine that still won’t break the bank.
Designed to fit snugly in the palm of your hand, this grey and orange sander is comfortable to hold thanks to the rubberised sections on the top and front. There’s a fingertip controlled on/off switch at the front, and you attach the sanding pads with a standard hook and loop setup.
Weighing less than 700 g when bare, the included 1.5 Ah battery pushes the weight to just over 1 kg. You get a basic little battery charger included in the purchase price as well. The 18 Volt battery pushes this little sander up to 12,000 rpm, which is enough for most jobs around the house or garden.
Best cordless with battery & charger
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Manchester-based tool and homewares brand VonHaus have a decent range of kit to suit most budgets. Doing away with those pesky wires is their E-Series range of 18 Volt cordless tools. Their cordless detail sander is a lightweight and capable machine that still won’t break the bank.
Designed to fit snugly in the palm of your hand, this grey and orange sander is comfortable to hold thanks to the rubberised sections on the top and front. There’s a fingertip controlled on/off switch at the front, and you attach the sanding pads with a standard hook and loop setup.
Weighing less than 700 g when bare, the included 1.5 Ah battery pushes the weight to just over 1 kg. You get a basic little battery charger included in the purchase price as well. The 18 Volt battery pushes this little sander up to 12,000 rpm, which is enough for most jobs around the house or garden.
Features:
- Power
- Battery - 18V
- Speed
- 12,000opm
- Sanding Area
- 132cm2
- Weight
- 0.7kg + battery
Pros
- The 18 Volt battery on this sander is shared between eight VonHaus tools. You can use it to power up a reciprocating saw or an impact driver amongst other tools.
- Having a cordless detail sander means you can do away with power cords altogether. If you need to sand at the top of a ladder or the bottom of the garden, it’s a piece of cake.
- Even if they don’t catch every little bit of dust, I appreciate having a dust bag with any type of sander. It’s a shame that it doesn’t easily connect to a vacuum though.
Cons
- It’s a shame that this sander doesn’t come in a case of any sort. Keeping the battery, charger, pads, and sander together and out of harm’s way would be a benefit here.
- The on/off switch on the front of the sander is well placed but isn’t well protected against dust. A covered switch would help to stop dust from getting into the switch and jamming it.
- VonHaus have only included five sanding sheets, which doesn't seem enough. Replacements sheets aren’t hard to find at least.
Compare Product Features Here
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
- Our score
- Power
- Speed
- Sanding Area
- Weight
-
- PowerMains - 100W
- Speed26,000rpm
- Sanding Area104cm2
- Weight0.9kg
-
- PowerMains - 55W
- Speed11,000rpm
- Sanding Area140cm2
- Weight0.95kg
-
- PowerMains - 120W
- Speed14,000rpm
- Sanding Area110cm2
- Weight1.0kg
-
- PowerBattery - 18V
- Speed22000opm
- Sanding Area104cm2
- Weight1.3kg
-
- PowerBattery - 18V
- Speed22,000opm
- Sanding Area140cm2
- Weight1.1kg
-
- PowerMains - 65W
- Speed11,000rpm
- Sanding Area120cm2
- Weight0.7kg
-
- PowerBattery - 18V
- Speed13,000opm
- Sanding Area120cm2
- Weight1.1kg
-
- PowerBattery - 18V
- Speed12,000opm
- Sanding Area132cm2
- Weight0.7kg + battery
Tips For Buying a Detail Sander
- The best detail sanders should be powerful and versatile enough to get into any nook you need them to.
- They can be cordless (better for safety and convenience) or corded (better for constant power).
- If your detail sander is cordless check to see if a battery and charger are included in the package as this can significantly affect the cost.
- In terms of power, there can be quite a difference in terms of maximum revs or orbits per minute that detail sanders produce so keep an eye out for that.
- Bear in mind that some detail sanders come with significantly larger sanding surfaces.
- For those longer sanding tasks, the weight of the detail sander can make a difference so remember to check that out too.
- A dust collection system is essential.
- The more sanding pads and sanding sheets that are supplied with the sander the better!
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How to Choose The Best Detail Sander
If you need to prepare the surface of a piece of furniture, remove paint from a window sill or get the varnish off an old bookcase, you’ll need the best detail sander you can get your hands on. Detail sanders are excellent for getting into those difficult places that other sanders can’t reach, you’ll thank me you picked the right one.
Understanding Sanding Power
Don’t make the mistake of trying to sand down metres of rough-sawn boards with a detail sander- it’s not what it’s designed for. Maxing out at around 350 Watts, the best detail sanders don’t need buckets of power to get the job done. The key feature of a detail sander is precision and manoeuvrability, to get into a tight spot and sand in places that other sanders can’t reach.
Don’t Neglect a Dust Collection Box
There are no two ways about it, sanding down timber, plastic or other materials creates dust. These fine particles aren’t just a pain to clean up but pose a serious threat to your health if you breathe them in. The best detail sanders create a vacuum when in use that helps to suck dust up from the workpiece and into a waiting dust bag or box. In my experience, if you have an external dust extraction system, you should use it. Dust bags and boxes, even filtered ones, are only partially effective at removing dust from the air.
Attaching the Sanding Pad
A key feature of the best detail sanders is the way the sanding pad is attached. Using a hook and loop system means you can quickly change pads without using tools and, in the case of the Bosch PSM 100A, change the entire foot if it wears out.
The Useful Extended Finger Sander
Known by a few different names, some detail sanders come with interchangeable tips that extend the reach of the sander by several centimetres. This narrow extension is ideal for sanding the tightest spots such as between the spindles on a chair back or between bannister posts.
Detail Sander FAQs
What’s the difference between a detail sander and a random orbit sander?
There are a lot of different types of sander out there, and they’re all designed for different purposes. Random orbit sanders are rotary tools at heart- they spin a sanding disc to remove paint or varnish and must be circular in shape. Detail sanders do not spin. The motor inside a detail sander causes the sanding pad to vibrate in a tight arc, which means the pad can be created in a delta shape to get into tight spaces and corners.
What’s the best use for a detail sander?
Detail sanders are lightweight and precision pieces of kit. They are not meant for large stock removal or to replace a heavy-duty belt sander. Where they come in handy is for finishing work on odd-shaped objects. Loved by furniture makers and restorers, detail sanders can be poked into tight spots and crevices where other sanders would never reach.
Do I need to wear any protective equipment?
You should always wear the correct level of personal protective equipment (PPE). Detail sanders are small but loud, especially when used for a long time. Even if you connect an effective dust collection system to your detail sander, it’s good practice to protect your lungs too. So, always wear safety goggles, ear defenders and a dust mask.
How can I get the most out of my detail sander?
As with any power tool, practice makes perfect, but there are a few techniques I use to get the most out of my detail sanders:
Try to keep a firm, even pressure on the sanding pad to avoid creating ridges, and get the most out of each sweep of your hand.
But don’t press too hard. A great mantra for using any piece of equipment is “let the tool do the work”. Your sanding pads will last longer, and you won’t get nearly as tired.
Use a pencil and scribble across the work surface – this will help you keep track of where you’ve sanded, and once the pencil marks have disappeared, you’ll know you’ve sanded enough.
Use a variety of sanding grits. The trick is to work up in numbers, starting with a low grit to remove the bulk of the material and changing to higher grits to create a smooth, glass-like finish.
This is probably the most important tip for using even the best detail sander – go slow! There’s no point in rushing if you want to get the best results, it’s as simple as that. The slower you go the more control you have, the less noticeable scratches there will be and the better the finish overall.
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