Power tools and machinery
Sanding tools level surfaces, remove tool marks, shape curves, and prepare wood or finish for the next step.
Sanding tools use abrasive sheets, discs, belts, sleeves, or drums to remove small amounts of material. Machine type affects scratch pattern, removal rate, dust collection, and access to corners or curves.
Abrasive grains cut fibers or finish as the tool moves. Coarser grits remove defects; finer grits refine the scratch pattern. Dust extraction keeps the abrasive cutting and reduces airborne dust.
Choose by surface shape, amount of material removal, scratch pattern, dust collection, and how close you need to work to edges or corners.
A handheld sander for general surface preparation.
A random orbital sander combines rotation with an eccentric orbit, reducing visible swirl when used with the right grit progression. It is the everyday choice for tabletops, panels, and furniture parts.
A vibrating pad sander for fine flat work.
A sheet sander uses standard abrasive sheets and a small orbital motion. It removes less aggressively than a random orbital sander and can leave a finer, more linear scratch pattern.
A high-removal sander for flattening and shaping.
A belt sander uses a continuous abrasive belt and removes material quickly. It is useful for rough leveling but can gouge surfaces if tilted or held in place.
A sanding sleeve for inside curves.
A spindle sander uses rotating and often oscillating sleeves to smooth concave curves. It is useful after bandsawing templates, chair parts, and curved components.
A machine for sanding panels to consistent thickness.
A drum sander feeds stock under an abrasive drum. It levels wide panels and thin stock, but it is not a substitute for a planer on heavy thicknessing.
A stationary circular abrasive for shaping edges.
A disc sander works well on end grain, small parts, and curves when used with a table or miter gauge. Direction of rotation affects safety and cut quality.
A stationary belt setup for long edges.
An edge sander supports long work against a table and fence while a belt sands straight or curved edges. It is useful in production or furniture shops.
A small sander for corners and tight areas.
A detail sander uses a pointed or specialty pad to reach corners, profiles, and assembled surfaces. It is convenient but should be used carefully to avoid rounded details.
Companies are grouped by the products they currently make for this type of woodworking.