Use The Best Edge Sanders To Smoothen Any Wooden Surface
An edge sanding device is an upgraded version of sanders that works on electricity to smoothen wooden surfaces. It helps you to give them more attractive and lavish looks. The best edge sanders in 2021 come with a vertical moving table, making them portable and easily accessible for users. Based on their excellent functions, they are majorly distributed in two major groups—handheld/floor edge sander and belt sander.
We can use floor edge sanders only to smoothen specific corners of the room or walls, whereas the belt sander can be used to reach all the corners of the wooden room and walls. Besides, they are easily available online so that you won't have to visit the stores in person. To help you narrow down your choices and grab the best product, we have shed light on some top-quality edge sanders.
Best Edge Sanders Buying Guide
An edge sander plays an important role in giving the finishing to the wooden surfaces by sanding them. With so many different types of edge sanders, you can work on different workpieces and upskill yourself for better craftsmanship.
However, to do so, you need to choose a proper product among ample options which is not everyone's forte. Since the sander will help you to give a proper shape and structure to the workpiece, you cannot afford to make any mistake with the product. That’s why we have created a buying guide that can help you figure which edge sander will perfectly suit your needs.
What are the different components of an edge sander?
Sanding paper
This is the most important part of the edge sander. A sanding paper can be made in different shapes and structures for fitting various types of edge sanders. Also, the differences in their shape and size will help you perform different operations. For example, a sanding paper strip is ideal for leveling or shaping a wooden workpiece while a cylindrical sanding paper will help in smoothing the surfaces.
Motor
Regardless of the type of edge sander you choose for yourself, every product is equipped with a motor. The mechanical output of the motor might vary from one product to another. It is the second most important component which maintains the motion as well as the speed of the sanding paper.
Workbench
In the tabletop edge sanders, you will often see a flat and plain platform where you can keep the workpiece for sanding. This platform is known as the workbench.
Dust collector
In certain edge sanders, you will find a dust collector. It’s an additional compartment that will collect all the wood dust produced while sanding so that the worktop can remain clean and ready to use.
What are different factors you must consider before buying the best edge sander?
Purpose
Firstly, decide the purpose for which you need to have the edge sander. Based on the purpose, the sanding tool's size, shape, sanding paper area, and other such features will depend. Also, you should determine whether you want to perform different woodwork operations or not. It will help you decide whether you need an edge sander with a fixed sanding surface or a tool where you can adjust the sanding paper alignment or tightness.
Motor power
Make sure that the product you have chosen is equipped with a powerful motor that is capable of delivering high mechanical output power. It will expedite the overall sanding mechanism, starting from the belt sander to the oscillating spindle sander.
Workbench area
If you usually deal with large workpieces, you need to have a large workbench whose inclination can be adjusted according to your convenience. However, for precise and accurate sanding, you will need a smaller workstation area that allows you to move the workpiece properly without any hassle.
Material
Lastly, you need to check the material with which the edge sander is made. It should have a sturdy frame with a robust build that will improve its overall stability during the operation. Also, look for edge sanding machines that come with an anti-slip base for preventing sudden movements.
What are the uses of edge sanders?
It would be unfair to say that the edge sander is useful for doing any single project, but it is a device that can handle many projects at a time. Some of the major uses of an edge sander include:
- You can remove nails, hooks, and other such pieces from the walls.
- It can be used to smoothen the wooden surface and bring out the natural wood fiber texture.
- It allows you to work on both the outer and inner edges of the wooden workpiece.
- Due to the high rotational speed, you can carve different edge designs, starting from linear shapes to irregular ones.
What are the safety measures taken during the use of an edge sander?
You need to be prepared before using a powerful machine like an edge sander. Without precaution, you can not only damage the workpiece but also end up injuring yourself. That’s why we have mentioned some of the safety precautions you need to practice while using an edge sander.
- Don’t use the edge sanders by wearing baggy and loose clothes.
- You need to remove any kind of jewelry or other accessories.
- You need to keep the blast gate open as it enables the sander to work efficiently.
- Last but not least, you must wear suitable eye protection gadgets.
What Is the Best Edge Sander in 2021?
Ingersoll Straight Line Air Sander
– Best Overall
This straight-line sander with dual pistons of the same type provide extra power to handle the rough sanding jobs and prevent stalling during the operation. In addition, this device is capable of producing 3000 reciprocating strokes in one minute which will help you complete the sanding work quickly and with more precision.
Moreover, the edge sander has an ergonomic structure which provides you a better grip on the tool. It also produces low vibrations while sanding surfaces. On top of that, it is reinforced with paper clamps having a quick release system so that you can change the sanding paper easily.
- Can level uneven surfaces of medium to large wooden workpieces for a better finished look
- Has a solid rubber knob to have a strong grip on the tool during work
- Saves a lot of electricity bill due to pneumatic power source
- A heavyweight sander that can be hard to maneuver
WEN Oscillating Spindle Sander
– Runner Up
If you are looking for a sander that can perform different operations and work on various workpieces, this is the best tool you will find in the market. It is reinforced with a sanding belt having a size of 4″x24″ which will help in leveling the surfaces, carving large workpieces, and working on the edges. In addition, there are five sanding drums having sizes ranging from 0.5″ to 2″. Hence, you will be able to perform a lot of sanding operations with almost 100% accuracy and precision.
This sanding tool will allow you to finish your work quickly, thanks to the belt’s speed of 1575 FPM and the spindle’s oscillating rotational speed of 2000 RPM. Furthermore, it is equipped with a highly functional motor that can generate an output of 58 oscillations per minute for both the belt and spindle.
- Has a high belt speed of 1575 FPM for fast edge sanding
- Comes with a sturdy and robust tabletop workstation
- Fine sanding is possible with 80-grit sandpaper
- Not ideal for moving from one position to another
YaeTek DIY Mini Belt Sander
– Honorable Mention
While manufacturing different wooden structures, it is essential to work on the edges so that you can have the desired workpiece shape and structure. That’s why we have included this product as it comes with ten different sanding strips having varying widths. Due to this, you will be able to work on different edges and prepare the workpiece as per the design plan.
In addition, the sanding belts’ tightness will be changed automatically due to the spring coils attached to the main body tool frame. Even though the sanding belt operates at high speed, you won’t feel any vibrations in the metallic body of the edge sander. Hence, you can maintain its stability and prevent it from moving from one place to another. On top of all these features, the built-in double bearing structure has made this sanding machine more efficient and productive.
- Can resist too much wear and tear
- Has an anti-slip base for more stability
- Automatic adjustment of the sanding belt’s tightness
- Not suitable for beginner woodworkers
Diy Mini Sander Edge Sharpener
– Also Consider
In this mini belt sander, you will be able to adjust the sanding belt speed in seven different ways. That’s why this product has become so famous in the market. Based on what kind of work you need to do on the workpiece, you can adjust the belt’s vertical position as well as the speed to work with enhanced precision and accuracy.
To add stability to the tool’s frame, an anti-slip base is added so that you can work comfortably. Also, its entire body is coated with a dust-proof material that has improved its longevity and durability by ten folds. In addition, its noise frequency is very low, which is why you don’t have to deal with loud noises. Thanks to the different sanding belts with different widths, you can work on various woods like softwood, hardwood, wooden fiberboards, and so on. From grinding to leveling, you can even perform different functions using this sander without any hassle.
- Work with high precision, thanks to the CNC machined sanding belt
- Highly efficient in grinding any metals, woods, or acrylic material
- Has a dust-proof machine body
- Needs to be set up before it can be used
This sander comes with an innovative design backed with a belt sander as well as a disc sander for performing various woodworks. You can easily tilt the workstation table of the disc sander from 0 to 90 degrees, which enables precise smoothening of different workpieces. In addition, the belt sander’s plane can be shifted from horizontal to vertical position which will help you in grinding and leveling workpieces with ease.
It is also equipped with a powerful motor that can deliver 1 HP of mechanical power to both the belt and disc sander. On top of everything, this sander is adequate for working on a wide surface as its disc can rotate at a maximum speed of 2510 RPM and the sanding belt can move with 1836 FPM.
- Equipped with a high-power motor that prevents stalling of the machine
- Belt’s size can be adjusted as per work requirement
- Has a highly stable tool body for better operation
- No workstation tabletop is present for the belt sander
Best Edge Sanders FAQs
A: Yes, you are allowed to use any belt of your choice according to project requirements. However, you must take care of the right size as the oversize belt will not fit in the machine, while a smaller one will reduce its efficiency. You can buy multiple belts for different works like thinner belts for grinding and cutting which thicker ones for leveling and shaping.
A: Some of the best edge sanders can handle any project. However, sometimes, there are limitations in the work which make its use difficult or inefficient. So it depends on the type of edge sander you purchase that whether it can handle all the work or stay specific.
A: If you are using edge sanders on sand and metal pieces, you must turn off the dust collection system of the machine before you start. This is because it will cause a fire hazard if you use the dust collector while sanding metal.
A: If you are using the sanding papers to smoothen rough wood surfaces frequently, those papers will start losing their abrasive strength. Hence, you will have to change them once they become smooth and fail to generate abrasive forces.
