What Sander to start with... and then move on to?

[Dibbers]

Hi All,

So i'm new to the woodworking thing, i've dabbled a bit in the past and want to get into it now that i have some space to work in. And i'm and extreme noob at finishing, as in, i've never really done it other than at school, and that was a while ago.

So I'm thinking of setting myself up to make some smaller things, boxes, toys (not too small though, i've been cursed with fat fingers) and things like that. My first purchase will be a scroll saw to be able to make what i want to make (first project i think will be a small box, then maybe a chessboard box).

The question i had is, what sander should i purchase for items like this? Or is that saying "how long is a piece of string"?

I remember at school we had a belt and disc sander that was pretty handy, but not sure if that would be overkill at the start. Maybe just a decent Random Orbital???

I have an old beat up finishing sander at the outlaws that i need to check if it still works, but other than that its a block and some 120 grit at the moment... I know I still have a lot to learn in terms of Sandpaper grits etc, but as i'm not at the stage of actually using it yet and more at the planning & budgeting stage, i thought i'd start riiight at the beginning.

Any advice would be great.
Cheers
Dibs

[tonzeyd]

Sanders are one of those items that seriously depends on what you're making and frequency of jobs, some people have multiple sanders some get by with just one.

One of the things I'm learnt quite quickly is manufacturers make tools in all sizes for a reason. I used to have the mindset of bah why would i want x tool when y can do both? Its because there are advantages and disadvantages to one or the other and its up to the consumer to decide whether its something they need.

But as always if you can only have one sander i think the most common vote will be a random orbit sander.

[Dibbers]

Sanders are one of those items that seriously depends on what you're making and frequency of jobs, some people have multiple sanders some get by with just one.

One of the things I'm learnt quite quickly is manufacturers make tools in all sizes for a reason. I used to have the mindset of bah why would i want x tool when y can do both? Its because there are advantages and disadvantages to one or the other and its up to the consumer to decide whether its something they need.

But as always if you can only have one sander i think the most common vote will be a random orbit sander.

Thanks tonzeyd.

I'm all for having different shapes and sizes that are fit for purpose. I was more just after a starting point, and by the sounds of it the ROS is the way to go. As you said, depending on how frequently I use it, and the varying shapes and sizes of what i build, i'm always up for buying new toys to help get the job done... the wife might not be, but she has her hobbies and i have mine

[FenceFurniture]

Pretty safe to say that those who have multiple sanders will always have a variable speed 150mm ROS, and it is likely to be the most used sander in their kit. The orbits can vary from 2mm to around 7mm - smaller number, finer finish, higher number more aggressive removal.

I guess it's safe to say that you are always going to "finish" something, so a finer orbit (say 3mm) will almost always be required, so that is the logical place to start. Some sanders have varying orbit ranges (I think the Metabo SXE540 might be one). A fine finish sander can still be used for heavy work, but it just won't be as quick. OTOH, a coarse sander will never do fine finish.

That Metabo seems to get a very good rap (do a search on here), as does one of the blue Bosch sanders (can't remember it's code). I use a Festool ETS 150 EC 3mm orbit and find it excellent. Even though it is a premium fine finish sander, I recently sanded back about 80 rough sawn treated pine sleepers using 40 grit only, and it did the job in good time. I didn't particularly miss having a coarser sander, and certainly wouldn't have bought one for the job at hand (didn't even occur to me, come to think of it).

[q9]

For starting out I'd recommend a ROS + a detail sander (triangular shaped). Nothing lower than #120 and not a lot of point going beyond #400 on wood. That will get you going. Probably any brand is ok, I had Bosch green of each and they were fine.

[ian]

don't forget dust control.

a sander matched to a decent vac will go a long way in keeping your work space clean

[q9]

Actually that reminds me...I'd suggest to get a quality respirator as well - 3M make good ones.

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[Dibbers]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

DC is on the wishlist, but i'm a bit limited on space being a single car garage in a townhouse (external DC not an option, plus need to think of noise factor...)

Intermediate solution would be to do as much as i can in the backyard, but i'll need to start thinking of the layout of the garage and where i could put a DC, probably only a 1hp due to space and noise restrictions. Baby steps though i guess

[FenceFurniture]

Don't use a big DC with a sander, use a shop vac. SV is about air velocity (small aperture 27-50mm)and DC is about air volume (large aperture 100+mm). Almost mandatory to use a SV with a sander for a number of reasons:
Your health
your clothes
longevity of the sanding disc - heat build up from clogging wears them out quick smart, and gives a rubbish finish
keeps the sander itself cooler

[Dibbers]

Don't use a big DC with a sander, use a shop vac. SV is about air velocity (small aperture 27-50mm)and DC is about air volume (large aperture 100+mm). Almost mandatory to use a SV with a sander for a number of reasons:
Your health
your clothes
longevity of the sanding disc - heat build up from clogging wears them out quick smart, and gives a rubbish finish
keeps the sander itself cooler

Oh OK that makes sense (told you I was new at this haha).

I'll look at picking one up when i get around to buying a sander. Unfortunately August is an absolute **** for bills, and my wife constantly dinging the car (this time reversing into someone else's car) makes for a non existant hobby budget at the moment... Seriously, 3 prangs! I'm going to sell the damned thing and be done with it. I'll buy a cheap replacement car so i have some left over cash for a scroll saw, sander and shop vac haha.