Sanding Drywall?

Question

I am drywalling my basement.....I am just wondering if you can use a power (orbital) sander to sand drywall or is it better to use the pole sanders that most people use???

Answer 1

When I did the drywall at my house, I used an orbital sander attached to a shop vac to reduce-almost illiminate the dust issue someone mentioned before. They also make a nondusting mud that was prett impressive. I would use a 120 grit then 220 as your finish. If you are good with the sander, you'll be fine. I supose there is a little knack to it, but nothing you can't master in a few minutes! I must say, it was hard for me to hold the sander up to sand the ceiling so I did a little at a time. (yes, I'm rather whimpy!)
They make an adapter for the shop vac and a smaller hose for abot $20 for the set or you could probably just buy an adapter and use your regular 3" hose, but it's awkward to use the big hose.

Answer 2

Drywall Power Sander

Answer 3

Electric Drywall Sander

Answer 4

if you've never mudded before you'll probably have a good ammount of sanding. Go to a tool rental store if you can and ask them for a Porter Cable drywall sander with the shop vac. This will do 90% of your sanding for you with the exception of the corners and maybe some touching up. AND it will be about 95% dustless. It will also cut your sanding time by about 75%. Discs cost about $10 apiece and if not abused will last a long time. The sander costs about $35 a day here.

I can sand an average room with this in about 20 minutes.

Answer 5

After installing thousands of sq. ft. of drywall and using various methods for finishing, your first consideration should be that as a DIY, mudding is probably best accomplished in 3 gradual steps.

That refers to LESS is MORE in that you'll end up with LESS residue, if you prep the job in a MORE appropriate way.

The issue also includes that any power sander likely will do the job, but certainly will foul the air more intensely. The pad, attached to the stick with the threaded hole in it to accept the pad, and the mesh abrasive that fits, is more time consuming but as an OLD SCHOOLER, it's often what I use.

That said however I've also done enough mudding to have the final coat at a point where it needs MINIMAL sanding.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

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RE:
Sanding Drywall?
I am drywalling my basement.....I am just wondering if you can use a power (orbital) sander to sand drywall or is it better to use the pole sanders that most people use???

Answer 7

You most certainly want to keep the sanding to a minimum. Work at getting the mud as smooth as possible so that you don't have to sand much. If it takes going over it three--or even four-- times and then touching it up with a damp sponge or terry cloth, then fine. Use the sandpaper at the very end and then sparingly. I wouldn't use a power sander. Remember the KISS rule.

Answer 8

I find using an old screen works wonders. It takes off a lot more than a sander and it doesnt gum up. It is very dusty though. You can also wet sand it with a sponge, which creates no dust.

Answer 9

orbital sander will work but be very careful not to sand the paper tape itself -- apply the tape first with all purpose mud --- this mud has glue in it for keeping the tape in place - then put the next coat on with topping let it dry then apply another coat with topping then you can start sanding . the pole sanders make it easier to sand because you dont need a ladder ---

Answer 10

Shouldn't matter but be prepared to change the sandpaper more with the power sander.

The pole sanders use a sandpaper that has holes in it so it doesn't gum up with joint compound as easily. Its a mesh.