When it comes to sanders, no single product can do it all, so it’s important to know what’s available and what each one does. Choosing the right one will help you get the best finish for your project. There are 3 main types - belt, orbital and finishing.

Belt sanders

Belt sanders are ideal for medium to heavy duty work such as sanding rough sawn timber, removing old paint, and for sanding large areas like floors, planks, and paneling. Makita Belt sanders come in widths of 3” (76mm) or 4” (100mm) and lengths of 457mm and 610mm. Generally, the larger the belt the greater work capacity. For most jobs around the home, the Makita 9924DB 76mm belt sander is ideal. It’s easy to handle and will tackle anything from sanding your hardwood deck to removing paint from eves.

Orbital sanders

Orbital sanders are compact, lightweight and can be used on a variety of surfaces from soft timbers to plasterboard and metal, depending on the sand paper grit level being used. The BO3710X 1/3 Sheet Orbital Sander is Makita’s most popular orbital sander. It features a spring lever clamp paper fastening system, making it easier to change sheets and an efficient 190W motor.

Random orbital sanders

Random Orbit Sanders generally have a round sanding disc with a hook and loop attachment. They vibrate in a circular motion with a random pattern, which helps prevent gouges and swirl marks on the wood. The BO5041KX 5” Random Orbit Sander is Makita’s most popular random orbit sander. It features a 5”/125mm disc and a powerful 300W motor. Both of these orbit sanders are excellent for sanding large areas and timber restoration projects, as well as finer, finishing jobs and plaster.

Finishing sanders

A finishing sander can have either an orbital or reciprocal motion and is used for fine, detailed work. Makita finishing sanders are available in a ¼ sheet (Show BO4556K model) and a ¼ sheet models with triangular extension (show BO4565K model). When using your finishing sander, just let the weight of the sander do the work there’s no need to press down and make sure you have a fine grit sandpaper suitable for the job.

For more Mighty Helpful advice on choosing the right sander, speak to the team at your local Mighty Helpful Mitre 10.