What Type Of Sander to Choose For wood?

Question

I have stripped an old oak table and need to sand it now. What is the best type of sander for small projects. A mouse? Orbit Sander? And what grit should I start with? Thanks

Answer 1

A small "palm sander" will work well but most of your sanding can be by hand with a sanding block. The condition of the table will depend on how to proceed. If it is in good condition I would suggest using the black 220 grit sandpaper.
If there are damaged places, big scratches or gouges you can use a more aggressive paper, maybe up to 100 grit. Using it by hand smooth the damaged areas and shape them if necessaryand then finish it off with 220. When it is all smooth put some water on it and let it dry. This will raise the grain and you can lightly sand it off once more to make a very nice finish.
Stain the wood now, if desired, and then apply a coat of vynal sanding sealer. It will mostly soak in and when dry apply a second coat of sealer. When it is VERY dry, lightly sand the sealer to make a smooth surface (don't worry that the sealer when sanded turns whitish, it will turn back clear with the last coat of finish. The last coat of finish is best applied with a pad to avoid brush mauks. You can use polyurathane for a very hard finish.
Good luck!

btw a belt sander is NOT something used on wood furniture nor is 1000 grit sandpaper.

Answer 2

I use a DeWalt random orbit sander, and a Bosch random orbit sander. There are plenty of brands out there to choose from, so go shopping and see what you like....I really like these two. This is a really good tool for the job you are doing, because the random orbit sander allows you to feel when it is sanded properly. When you begin sanding, with say either 100 grit or 120 grit, the sander will tend to jump around a bit until the surface underneath has been sanded flat, at which point it will feel much more stable. I think I would start with 120 grit, and if that isn't taking off as much as you want, as fast as you want, then go to 100 grit. Sand in stages....120g, 150g or 180g, then 220g. I always follow up with hand sanding, with the grain, with the 220 grit paper, because the random orbit sander can leave little curly-Q marks. Then it's a good idea to wipe the surface clean with mineral spirits, because this is what the board will look like with the first coat of clear finish on it, and it will reveal any more spots that may need further sanding. I hope this helps, and have fun! Mark

Answer 3

Orbital sanders work great. A simple vibrating palm sander on oak could take a long time. Use an orbital and start out with an 80 grit, but only if the wood it rough. If the table is smooth, start with a 100 grit and work down to a 150 grit, and then to a 220 grit.
Good luck

Answer 4

For what you are doing, I would do all of the sanding by hand using a sanding block on the large flat surfaces and just the sandpaper doubled over for any curved surfaces. Electric sanders don't give you the control you need for this type of sanding.

I always start with 150 grit paper and then go to 220 grit. Be sure to brush and use a tack cloth between grits and after all the sanding is done. Don't forget, sand with the grain when ever possible.

Answer 5

Types

Detail Sander - is a light hand-held sander with a small pad for sanding where other power sanders can't, such as the inside corners of a box or uneven surfaces. Usually used for finishing sanding.
Orbital Sander - is a small sander, they come in 2 sizes either palm size to fit ¼ sheet of sandpaper or large to fit ½ of a sheet of sandpaper. Orbital sanders rotate the paper quickly around one center point. Orbital sanders don't remove a lot of material and may leave a circular pattern on the material.
Random Orbit Sanders - is a small sander that orbits and spins the sandpaper. This motion is more aggressive in removing material than an orbital sander and is less likely to leave circular marks.
Belt Sanders - are large sanders that rotate a sanding belt that is stretched between two rollers. Belt sanders are ideal for removing large amounts of materials (e.g. paint, varnish, wood) over large areas. Belt sanders will leave a large scratch pattern in line with the direction of the rotating belt.

Answer 6

To be honest, your best bet would be to sand it by hand with sandpaper. Start with a medium grit (around 100) to knock down the wood grain. If you used a chemical stripper, the wood grain will be raised. Once you've done that, then go to a 220 grit sandpaper. This will give you a smooth finish to work with when applying either paint or stain. Make sure you use a tack cloth to remove all dust from the sanding before applying your finish. Depending on the type of finish you're applying, there are specific steps to follow. If you need help with those, just post another message and I'll try to answer it here.

Answer 7

You say you have already STRIPPED the oak table...

If its COMPLETELY stripped, then you just need to smooth it out and finish it of with a "soft" sandpaper... (about a 1000 grit should do)

For the large surfaces of the table, u could use a belt sander, but use your hands for the legs

Answer 8

Use a random orbit sander. It does a great job and does not leave sanding marks.