Smooth Out Various Surfaces With the Best Palm Sanders

What Is a Palm Sander?

A palm sander is a compact and handy power tool that delivers a smooth and refined finish to all surfaces. It is specially designed to work for small or medium-sized projects, and it is particularly popular among people who like to carry out DIY projects around the house. 

A palm sander has a compact handheld design and is meant to be easily used with just one hand. Also, it is lightweight, so it doesn’t cause hand fatigue even when you use it for an extended period of time. The sander has a pad at the bottom, where a sanding paper or disc is attached, depending on the grit level you need for sanding. Typically, the paper can be easily attached and removed, and usually has a clip or lock mechanism that holds it in place.

If you have ever used an orbital sander, you’ll find their smaller counters strikingly familiar. A palm sander is like an orbital sander, just a bit smaller. Additionally, orbital sanders can move in either a circular or orbiting motion, whereas a palm sander only moves in an orbiting motion. However, palm sanders are better for getting into smaller spaces that an orbital sander would be too large to get into. Additionally, they are easier to hold and use than an orbital sander. They are much different than a belt sander, which is used to quickly strip down rough wood. 

When to Use a Palm Sander

As mentioned above, a palm sander provides you with a fast, smooth, and compact performance that removes material from all types of wood pieces and makes them a finished and high-quality appearance. Palm sanders are popularly used for their handheld feature, and their ability to sand hard-to-reach places. Moreover, you can also use them for leveling, shaping, cleaning, and many other purposes.

When Shayna Alnwick, founder of The Flipped Piece, began flipping furniture in 2020, she purchased her first sander to strip paint from used furniture.

“My first power tool ever was a Black and Decker Mouse Sander. I plugged it in, nervous because I had never used one before. I thought I’d sand my fingers off. I wanted to start small and think it was the best thing I ever bought because you can do so much with just one tool. Everything needs a little sand.” (Shayna Alnwick)

Another reason why people often buy palm sanders over other types of sanders is because they are much more budget-friendly and due to their portability, they can be easily carried anywhere, which is particularly useful for professionals who have to travel to one place from another for their woodworking jobs.

How To Use a Palm Sander

Before you start using a palm sander, you would have to choose the sandpaper you need for the surface you are going to work on. Sandpapers are available in different grit levels and materials as well, and if you know which one you need, then you can clamp or attach it to the surface of the palm sander.

Once you have secured the material to the work table, wear safety goggles and also safety gloves, since they will help you stay safe from injuries. It is also wise to wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust particles that fly due to the sanding process. Hold the palm sander securely and make sure the sandpaper isn’t touching anything. 

Now you can turn the sander on and watch the motor slowly pick up speed. Once it is rotating at maximum speed, or you have set the speed according to what you need, slowly bring the sander towards the workpiece and glide it over the material, without applying too much pressure. Always move the sander in long and even strokes to ensure level smoothness.

Watch Shayna Alwick build a wooden bench from scratch with the help of a palm sander:

@shaynaalnwick

Watch me build this wooden bench from scratch 😍 #woodworking #diy #diyprojects #diybench #powertools #diyideas

♬ Be Someone – KVSH & Schillist & Ray X Ben

Things To Consider Before Buying

There are some factors that you should keep in mind before you choose a palm sander for your professional or DIY projects. These factors will help you decide which of the options will be more suitable for you, so you will be able to make an informed decision.

Power source

There are two types of power sources in palm sanders: corded and cordless. You would be aware of the fact that corded palm sanders provide a higher power output than cordless models. The corded models are better in the sense that they provide constant power without dying down in between, but you might have problems with the length of the cord and may have to buy an extension cord as well.

Cordless palm sanders are better for people who carry their tools with them on different projects around town, and don’t always have access to a power outlet. However, with cordless models, you will have to remember to charge it regularly, and also keep an eye on the battery level to ensure that it doesn’t run out of charge. Make sure you choose the one that is most convenient for your style of work.

Sanding speed

The sanding speed is the main factor that determines the performance of a palm sander. The speed is measured in orbits or oscillations per minute, and a suitable value lies between 7000 and 12000 orbits per minute. Some sanders have a fixed speed, which means that some projects will take longer than others.

However, you can also find palm sanders that have two or three-speed settings, and some palm sanders also come with variable speed settings, where you can set the speed at any value between the provided range. Essentially, you should go for sanders with variable speed settings, as they are more versatile and help you work on projects much faster.

Base plate

The base plate refers to the surface of the palm sander, where the sandpaper or sanding pads are attached. Usually, palm sanders have two sizes for the base plate: 5” and 6”. If you find a palm sander that has a base plate less than 5”, it is more suitable for finishing. On the other hand, palm sanders with base plates larger than 6” are suited for professional woodworking projects.

Ease of use

The ease of use is a key factor with any power tool, and it refers to the comfort that you experience while holding and using the palm sander, especially if you use it for a longer period of time. In this regard, the weight of the palm sander also plays a major role, since you hold the sander in your palm. Not only should it be lightweight, but the sander should also have an ergonomic design that minimizes hand fatigue.

Dust collection

In every sanding project, a lot of dust will fly off when you are removing material, and a good palm sander is one that has a dust extraction system with a vacuum that draws dust particles in and collects them in a bag to be discarded later on. Make sure that all the palm sanders you look at have this feature so that you stay dust-free.