Random orbital sander: how to choose, 2022 rating

Eccentric sanders are designed to perform cleaning, grinding, polishing operations on wood, metal, concrete, and plastered surfaces. The principle of operation is based on giving the working body, the abrasive disc, rotational and reciprocating motion. Based on their functionality, engine power, and operating time, units are divided into household and professional.

How to choose an eccentric sander

When choosing an orbital sander, you need to familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics. The ease of use of the unit depends on several parameters.

Grinding speed

For rough processing of surfaces, it is recommended to use units with a large amplitude of movement and a speed of 10,000 revolutions or more. Models that make 2000-4000 revolutions per minute are suitable for final sanding. It is best to choose a universal eccentric machine with variable speed control.

Working surface dimensions

The larger the diameter of the grinding attachment, the higher the productivity of the equipment. For your home, you can choose a machine with a circle width of 12.5 cm. Professional machines are often equipped with 15 cm nozzles.

Power

Random-orbital sanders support power up to 2500 watts. For simple work, units of 600-800 W are suitable; for professional use, it is necessary to choose more productive models.

Security Options

If you are going to use the sander in dusty places or in high humidity, you need to pay attention to the availability of safety options. The service life of the unit is extended by functions such as engine protection against overheating and short circuits.

For wood processing, it is recommended to choose sanders with the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner.

Which eccentric sander to choose for car repairs

It is better to choose an eccentric sander for car painting work from units with a power range of 800-1200 W. The amplitude of the platform stroke should be within 1-20 mm.

When selecting a disk for the unit, it is necessary to take into account the degree of roughness of the nozzle. Wheels with a grain size of 60-320 are used for finishing and finishing work, with lower values ​​for rough grinding.

Which orbital random orbital sander to choose for wood

You can use a sanding machine to process wood during construction and repair. Eccentric models allow you to cope with smooth and convex surfaces. When choosing, you need to look at several points:

• compactness - the most useful are small grinding machines that allow you to perform work in hard-to-reach places;
• speed - it is better to give preference to universal models with wide speed control;
• circle diameter - devices with nozzles larger than 12.5 cm are well suited for processing floors and walls; polishing timber requires a small surface area.

Eccentric sanders can handle wood without any problems, so the power of the unit can be low - about 600-800 W.

Types, purpose, features of work

There are different types of sanders 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 polishing.

A wood sanding machine can be of different shapes, sizes, and performance.

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

There are special attachments for grinders for sanding wood. The best option is flap or disc wheels with sandpaper of different grits. 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.

By changing the grain size of the grinding wheels used, 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, the sandpaper becomes clogged and the speed of work 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.

This attachment is used if you need to quickly change sandpaper.

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 a high noise level, not the largest grinding 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.

It can be turned into a grinding machine

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, a cassette-type container; almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.

An eccentric sander allows you to process curved surfaces

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 processing. 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 the angle of the disc allows you to 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).

There are small and compact ones, there are powerful ones with decent dimensions.

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 fine finishing - for varnishing or painting, but is characterized by 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.

Vibrating machine is used for finishing

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.

This is what a multifunctional renovator looks like, which has a grinding function

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 grinding, a tool with an eccentricity of 6-8 mm is suitable, 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.

Rating of the best manufacturers of eccentric wood sanders

Sanding machines from well-known brands are distinguished by increased reliability and functionality. The best units are supplied to the market by several manufacturers.

Makita

The Japanese brand produces a variety of tools for construction and repair; the products are represented on the market by hundreds of items. Factories are located in several European countries, China, Japan and the USA. The manufacturer guarantees high quality sanders and components and offers reliable service.

Makita eccentric sanders are available in budget and professional models

Metabo

The famous brand dates back to 1923 and has factories in Germany and Shanghai. It produces electric and pneumatic tools and supplies not only corded, but also battery-powered eccentric sanders.

Metabo is considered one of the best brands in the mid-price segment

Bosch

The German company has been on the market since the end of the 19th century, has a good reputation and produces exceptionally high-quality sanders. Bosch units are distinguished by well-thought-out ergonomics and are equipped with safety options that extend the service life of the tool.

Bosch grinders are popular among professionals

FAQ

Which brand of grinder is best to buy?

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Among power tool manufacturers, Bosch, Makita and DeWalt remain leaders in this area. We would also add Metabo, Einhell, and some Black+Decker models to them, although we rarely see the latter.

Many craftsmen take Interskol models for rare jobs and first acquaintance with the tool, especially since consumables for them are easier to find and they cost less. But if you are serious about wood processing, it is better to give preference to the manufacturers mentioned above.

What sandpaper is best to use?

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It all depends on the type of work. For example, for rough primary grinding with a belt machine, coarse-grained sandpapers with a grain size of 200 microns and higher are used (according to new standards, they can be marked with indices from P22 to P60).

For further processing of wooden surfaces, the same belt or vibration sander can be used with medium-grain sandpaper of 100-150 microns (P100 or P120).

Sanding for painting (for example, with an eccentric machine) will require a smaller grain size: 40-70 microns for hard wood and 58-100 microns for soft wood.

Rating of the best 125 mm eccentric sanders for 2022

The greatest demand is for eccentric machines with a disc diameter of 125 mm. They are suitable for most tasks and cope with smooth and curved surfaces.

Makita BO5030

A 300 W eccentric machine with holes for dust removal is designed for a wide range of household work. Supports a 2.8 mm range of movement of the nozzle and has a low noise level.

You can buy Makita BO5030 from 6200 rubles

pros

• works almost silently;
• high reliability;
• There are rubber pads on the body.

Minuses

• poor quality dust collector;
• short wire.

Interskol EShM-125/270E

This domestic household-grade grinder with a 125 mm wheel supports speed adjustment in five positions. The sole stroke is 2.2 mm, the working surface is wear-resistant and durable.

The price of the Interskol grinding machine is 2900 rubles

pros

• low noise;
• durability;
• anti-slip pads on the body.

Minuses

• cable is short;
• At maximum speed it vibrates a lot.

DeWalt DWE 6423

The eccentric sanding unit with 8000-12000 rpm and medium amplitude is equipped with a start button lock. The speed of the device can be adjusted; even at maximum power, the model hardly shakes.

DeWalt 6423 price starts from 7,400 rubles

pros

• low vibration during operation;
• high-quality assembly;
• good dust removal.

Minuses

• no case included;
• low power.

Criterias of choice

Comparison of eccentric sanders

Popular manufacturers of orbital sanders (eccentric type)

• Makita;
• Metabo;
• DeWALT;
• BLACK+DECKER;
• BOSCH;
• Hyundai;
• Hammer;
• Einhell;
• PATRIOT;

Power consumption is considered one of the main selection characteristics that affects process performance. It is also necessary to take this indicator into account so as not to overload the power grid. A tool with more power is chosen mainly for rough work, such as grinding concrete and metal. The range varies from 50 to 1200 W.

You need to understand that the more power the EShM model has, the heavier it will be.

The size of the platform stroke, mm - can vary from 1 to 20 mm. The greater the amplitude, the faster the processing process moves.

Disk diameter, mm - can be divided into three types: small 100 - 125 mm, medium 150 -180, large 200-230 mm. Each of them is selected depending on the work being performed. The higher the number in the table, the finer the grain size.

The equipment is classified:

1. P40 – P120 - intended for rough work, for example, initial surface cleaning before sanding wood, metal, etc.
2. P140 – P180 – removal of minor flaws.
3. P400 – P1000 – polishes products.

Maximum disk rotation speed (revolutions per minute) - this parameter depends on the maximum disk size for a particular model; the larger it is, the lower the number of revolutions becomes.

It is set mainly for a specific material and attachment. The finer the grain size of the skin, the higher the processing speed (from 5,000 to 13,000 rpm).

Rating of the best inexpensive electric orbital random orbital sanders

The best budget orbital sanders are capable of delivering quality results. You can buy such equipment for infrequent home use.

Bison ZOSHM-450

A budget sanding machine made in Russia has a power of 450 W. The rotation frequency reaches 13,000 revolutions, the amplitude is 2 mm. The device copes well with processing countertops and other flat, wide surfaces.

The price of the Zubr ZOSHM-450 machine starts from 3,500 rubles

pros

• good value for money;
• adapter for vacuum cleaner included;
• almost no noise.

Minuses

• The dust collector often jumps off;
• poor vibration suppression.

Wert EES 125DE

An inexpensive machine for minor home repairs with a power of 350 W is equipped with speed control within the range of 6000-13000 rpm. It features high-quality Velcro that holds the circles well.

Attention! The Wert sander works best with fine-grained sandpaper, so it’s worth buying a model for fine polishing.

You can buy a Wert EES eccentric machine from 2300 rubles

pros

• reliable fastening of circles;
• speed adjustment.

Minuses

• overheats quickly;
• no adapter for vacuum cleaner.

Bort BES-450

The eccentric sander reaches speeds of up to 14,000 revolutions and is equipped with a start button lock. The kit includes an additional handle that can be installed in any convenient position.

Buy Bort BES-450 from 3600 rubles

pros

• there is a second handle;
• high speed;
• Suitable for wood and metal.

Minuses

• the unit is heavy;
• There are complaints about the build quality.

Makita 3711

at prices starting from RUB 3,970.

Thanks to an effective system for removing dust from the work area and the presence of electronic adjustment of the oscillation frequency, the Makita 3711 model is deservedly popular among professionals.
It is difficult for an amateur to appreciate the potential of the Makita 3711. After all, after processing unassembled joinery, another device will be needed to clean the internal corners (its own 2 mm stroke does not allow working in the corners of three planes). Therefore, the combination of vibration amplitude, the area of ​​the surface being processed, and the variable rate of vibration of the sole determine the narrow profile of the tool. It is designed for fine work with dissimilar materials, without volume restrictions. Main technical characteristics of Makita 3711

Watch a short video review of the Makita 3711 sander:

Random orbital sanders (preparation for painting, intermediate sanding and polishing of plastic, metal and wood).

Top 3 best cordless random orbital sanders

Grinders are not only corded, but also battery-powered. Battery-powered models are convenient to use in open areas.

Bosch Advancedorbit 18.0

The household random orbital sander with a 125 mm disc is powered by a lithium-ion battery. It is lightweight and comes with an additional handle and a dust bag included.

Bosch Advancedorbit price starts from 5,600 rubles

pros

• weight 1.4 kg;
• there is a discharge indicator;
• replacement of equipment without a key.

Minuses

• does not work well in the cold;
• The battery is loose.

Ryobi R18

The cordless machine with a stroke of 2.5 mm is suitable for domestic use. A dust removal system is provided; three sanding sheets are supplied with the unit.

You can buy Ryobi R18 from 6,700 rubles

pros

• the unit is lightweight;
• vibrates little during operation;
• You can connect a vacuum cleaner.

Minuses

• No battery included;
• There is no provision for speed adjustment.

Greenworks G24

The eccentric machine is suitable for polishing wood and car body. Supplied with a spacious dust bag, the start button is protected from dirt. The abrasive element is attached with Velcro, replacement is carried out quickly.

You can buy a Greenworks sander from 4,700 rubles

pros

• does not make loud noise;
• The set includes a second handle;
• good wheels in the set.

Minuses

• it is difficult to clean dust filters;
• There are complaints about poor fixation of disks.

AEG EX 150 ES

at prices starting from RUB 8,683.

AEG EX 150 ES is one of the universal sanders that has:

• vibration intensity adjustment,
• 2 vibration amplitude options,
• the ability to connect a bag or vacuum cleaner to the dust removal system;

Simplicity and reliability in use thanks to the Velcro abrasive fastening, durable plastic and molded base of the sole, as well as dust-proof controls. When an amateur simply uses a tool for a long time and gets an acceptable result, then professionals use the potential consciously, because they know that:

• “strangling” this grinder is not easy (the stabilization system instantly recognizes even insignificant pressure and regulates engine speed, preventing equipment wear);
• smooth start, sole brake eliminates damage to the surface being treated
• Properly implemented dust removal prevents premature wear of the working parts of the tool.

Main technical characteristics of AEG EX 150 ES

Watch a video review revealing all the features of the AEG EX 150 ES:

Sanding grain for materials

Bison ushm 125-950

at prices starting from RUB 2,020.

By equipping the Zubr Ushm 125-950 model with a thick (grinding) disc, you can:

• clean weld seams from slag
• get rid of pockets of corrosion
• grind large burrs on metal and irregularities on stone.

Using thin (cutting) wheels, this tool can quickly cut sheet and shaped metal products.

The ability to install an additional handle on the left or right side of the gearbox housing and fix the protective casing in any position makes working with the tool convenient and safe in different situations.
But the most important feature of the 125-950 model is that there is no second such angle grinder (with similar characteristics) for non-intensive use on the domestic market. Main technical characteristics of Bison ushm 125-950

Watch a video review of the model Zubr ushm 125-950:

Sanding the walls

If scratches suddenly appear after processing, change to paper with a finer grain. If further finishing involves wallpapering, then minor defects can be tolerated, but if painting is planned, then the defects must be eliminated.

1. When processing corners we use sanding sponges. Their special shape will help to efficiently sand these hard-to-reach places. If you do not have this tool, you can use a separate sheet of sandpaper, bending it in half.

Sanding walls after puttying can be done without dust. This process can be seen in the video: How to sand walls after puttying using a sander, watch the video:

Makita 9741

at a price of RUB 25,310.

The low bristle brush included in the basic configuration of the Makita 9741 model shows good results when processing lumber from different types of wood, not only because of the special polymer bristles. Thanks to an acceptable combination of power and the tool’s own weight, quality will be present when working with each (appropriate for purpose) consumable.

• Simple design
• belt drive,
• low center of gravity,
• durable and comfortable handles

The tools do not leave even professional carpenters indifferent.
After all, comparing the predisposition of the 9741 model to intensive use, and the small volumes of materials that need texture cleaning (even in workshops), we can confidently speak about a fairly long service life of the brush grinding tool. Main technical characteristics of Makita 9741

Watch a short video review of the features and configuration of the Makita 9741 model:

Sanding the ceiling

The ceiling, after puttying, also requires sanding before further finishing, and perhaps even more than the walls. After all, there are lighting fixtures on the ceiling that will show all the slightest flaws on the surface. And the ceiling is painted or wallpapered, usually in light colors, which will also highlight existing defects. It is very difficult to rub the ceiling with sandpaper or mesh. Therefore, the best option is to use a grinder. To complete the work, we will need a stepladder or a special bar for working from the floor.

For rough processing we use mesh No. 60-80, for finishing – No. 100-120. To obtain an excellent result, sand in a circular motion. After finishing the initial sanding, we apply the finishing putty, and after it has completely dried, we begin the final sanding. We use fine-grained abrasive. We make small and neat movements with the machine.

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