How to choose the correct and suitable sandpaper

The sander is your best tool for all furniture renovation or parquet sanding jobs. This important tool for a skilled craftsman is primarily chosen according to the characteristics of the work to be performed. To find the ideal sander for renovating, polishing, or stripping your staircase, we will give you some important tips...

Sander Characteristics:

The electric sander is a renovation tool highly valued for its ability to sand all types of surfaces. To sand a table, a shutter, a parquet floor, a staircase, a piece of furniture, a wall, or a ceiling, you need a sander. This tool is also suitable for small household sanding jobs as well as for large renovation projects. It allows for perfect and fast sanding with (almost) no effort.

Many Types of Sanders

Depending on the tasks you want to perform, there are several specific types of sanders, such as:

• Orbital Sander

The orbital sander is lightweight and easy to use. It is especially appreciated by DIY enthusiasts. It includes an oscillating plate dedicated to holding an abrasive material in the shape of the plate (rectangular, square, or triangular). Thanks to the oscillating cam, an oscillation is obtained that converts the usual rotary motion of the motor.

This type of sander is specifically designed for medium to fine sanding jobs as well as finishing sanding. An orbital sander with a rectangular plate allows sanding on large surfaces (doors or shutters). A triangular plate is better suited for working in corners, even very sharp ones.

• Belt Sander

As its name suggests, the belt sander operates with a belt that rotates around two rollers. It is particularly appreciated for its great power. It is the ideal tool for performing stripping work on large surfaces such as parquet floors. On the other hand, a belt sander is very heavy and difficult to handle outside of a straight line. In some cases, it is used inverted, fixed on a workbench, to sand wooden or metal objects.

• Eccentric Sander

Also called a random orbital sander, the eccentric sander features a circular plate to which abrasive discs are attached. It is preferred over the orbital sander for its versatility and power. The rotation of the plate is caused by the rotary motion of its motor. It can also be transformed into a polisher or buffer by attaching a polishing foam to its plate.

The eccentric sander is specifically designed for roughing work and semi-finishing work using finer abrasives. In particular, it allows working on curved surfaces, but it is also effective on all other supports, except for corner sanding.

• Multifunction Sander

Newer than other types and also rarer on the market, this sander is equipped with a head to connect various sanding accessories, depending on the work to be performed. Its ergonomics allow for simpler handling and optimal comfort in use.