How To Choose A Sander For Your Home

Top 3 most popular grinders

It is rather difficult to choose which grinder from the presented ones is better. We have compiled a short rating of the best models (according to users):

• MAKITA BO3711. surface grinder. Recommended for finishing.
• HAMMER LSM810. belt sander. It stands out against the background of other models with its power (810 W).
• HAMMER OSM430 is an eccentric sander. Suitable for working with various materials.

Which model to choose, professional or household?

This is the very first question any power tool buyer asks himself.

Professional models are designed for continuous continuous operation. The quality of the materials used in their manufacture, the reliability of components and electronics is much higher than that of household grinders. Professional-grade tools are designed for multi-shift work in intensive use, therefore they are subject to higher operational requirements. They tend to be larger and more powerful. Their design takes into account not only the requirements for maximum performance, but also criteria such as ease of use (for example, minimum vibration).

Household grinders are designed to work “occasionally”. They are rated to run on average up to 20 hours per month, typically have less power and weight, lower performance, and fewer additional features. Every 10-15 minutes of operation, household grinders need to rest for 15-20 minutes, and you can work with them no more than 2-3 hours a day. The advantage of household grinders is the lower price and ease of use. they are usually both lighter and more compact. Therefore, if you purchase a power tool for working at home or in the country, we recommend that you do not spend extra money on a professional model.

Introduction

If you have a car or summer cottage, then you probably had to deal with such unpleasant and rather tedious work as removing rust from the car body, old paintwork, cutting brick, slate, concrete, marble, water pipes, etc. How to choose the right tool for this ? How to understand all the variety of power tools offered on the market?

This article will focus on the selection of grinders. We tried to provide as fully as possible information about what kind of work this or that grinder is best suited for, what you need to pay attention to when buying, etc. The purpose of our article is to help you make a choice, regardless of whether you are purchasing a grinder for a home workshop or for professional needs. We tried to present the information as fully as possible. we very much hope that it will be useful to you.

Angle grinders (angle grinder)

Angle grinders (better known as “angle grinders”) are so named not because they are especially convenient for processing corners, but because of their design feature: the working shaft is located at an angle of 90 degrees to the plane of the electric motor. The term “angle grinder” was born in the 70s, when the first representatives of this type of tools appeared in the Soviet Union, released in Bulgaria under the Eltos trademark.

Of all the grinders, the “angle grinder” is the most versatile tool. Angle grinders are used not only for grinding and polishing surfaces, but also for cutting and processing metal. The cut-off wheel can easily cut through hard materials (eg tiles, paving stones, curbs, bricks) and eliminate material defects (grind welds or remove rust). And having installed a wire brush. use it for the initial “rough” cleaning, for example, removing old varnish from metal surfaces.

Power consumption is an important characteristic of angle grinders. A more powerful tool does not heat up as quickly and allows the use of larger discs. The diameter of the disc determines the functionality of the “grinders”: the larger the diameter of the disc, the deeper the cut can be made.

When choosing an angle grinder, the most important thing is to determine for what purpose you will use it. To cut stone or concrete, you need a machine with a power of about 2,000 W and a rotation speed of 6,000 rpm. Simpler models, with a power of 600-1,000 W and rotation speeds of up to 6,000 rpm, are good for grinding, polishing and cutting to shallow depths. As a rule, all manufacturers produce “angle grinders” that work with standard abrasive cut-off wheels with a diameter of 115 to 230 mm, with a bore diameter of 22 or 32 mm. When choosing an angle grinder, it should be borne in mind that models that do not have a wheel speed control system are not suitable for all types of grinding, although they can very successfully cope with cutting concrete, brick, metal and other hard materials.

Electric file

There are special-purpose belt sanders, the so-called belt files or electric files. Often used for deburring weld seams and sanding materials in tight spaces.
Only certain accessories are suitable for electric files, with a width of 9 to 30 mm.
Such belt sanders weigh much lighter than conventional ones. 1-2 kg.

Straight grinders

The main purpose is to clean weld seams, remove burrs and rust. Designed for intensive work.

Introduction

If you have a car or summer cottage, then you probably had to deal with such unpleasant and rather tedious work as removing rust from the car body, old paintwork, cutting brick, slate, concrete, marble, water pipes, etc. How to choose the right tool for this ? How to understand all the variety of power tools offered on the market?

This article will focus on the selection of grinders. We tried to provide as fully as possible information about what kind of work this or that grinder is best suited for, what you need to pay attention to when buying, etc. The purpose of our article is to help you make a choice, regardless of whether you are purchasing a grinding machine for a home workshop or for professional needs. We tried to present the information as fully as possible. we very much hope that it will be useful to you.

Which model to choose, professional or household?

This is the very first question any power tool buyer asks himself.

Professional models are designed for continuous continuous operation. The quality of the materials used in their manufacture, the reliability of components and electronics is much higher than that of household grinders. Professional-grade tools are designed for multi-shift work in intensive use, therefore they are subject to higher operational requirements. They tend to be larger and more powerful. Their design takes into account not only the requirements for maximum performance, but also criteria such as ease of use (for example, minimum vibration).

Household grinders are designed to work “occasionally”. They are rated to run on average up to 20 hours per month, typically have less power and weight, lower performance, and fewer additional features. Every 10-15 minutes of operation, household grinders need to rest for 15-20 minutes, and you can work with them no more than 2-3 hours a day. The advantage of household grinders is the lower price and ease of use. they are usually lighter and more compact. Therefore, if you purchase a power tool for working at home or in the country, we recommend that you do not spend extra money on a professional model.

Choosing a grinder

Understanding the types and features

To make a choice, you need to clearly understand the purpose of each type of grinder. At first glance, the principle of operation of grinding machines is the same. grinding the surface of the material using abrasive equipment. In any given task, one type of grinder will show itself brilliantly, while the other will not give the expected result. For example, eccentric machines cannot handle internal corners, while vibrating sanders can do it. Let’s analyze the types of grinding machines and determine the scope of each of them.

Select consumables

Each grinder is capable of using several types of abrasive tools. They differ in the following parameters:

• Tasks to be solved;
• Geometric shape (such as a circle or ribbon);
• Grain size;
• The material used;
• Constructions.

Depending on the tasks to be solved, the size of the grain of abrasive grit applied to the substrate is selected. The backing is made of thick paper or fabric. Natural or synthetic crumb is applied to them:

• Diamond;
• Pomegranate;
• Quartz;
• From red iron ore;
• Corundum;
• Feldspar.

As synthetic chips, you should choose silicon or boron carbide, aluminum oxide. Fixation of this crumb is ensured by the application of epoxy-based adhesives to the substrate.

The hardest are diamond and boron carbide. They are used to process the hardest materials. The crumb is applied to one or both sides of the substrate. It is fixed with a special adhesive. For example, sanding paper is used for processing, double-sided, 400 mm. In addition to these materials, a double-sided grinding mesh, 400 mm, is used. The most reliable is a tool made of metal, and abrasive grit is applied to its surface. The most popular is the metal grinding disc, double-sided.

To remove old paint and the resulting rust, a steel brush, short bristle, 430 mm is used.

A special place in the list of processing tools is occupied by a mounting disc for 5 abrasive stones and diamonds. Cups. It has high strength and is able to work with a grinder at high speeds. The main parameters of such a tool are: thickness, bore diameter, type and outer diameter.

Types of grinders

Like all power tools, grinders fall into three categories:

• Professional;
• Semi-professional;
• Household.

The first category of aggregates is used to perform a large volume of operations that are performed over a long time. For convenient use, they are equipped with a large number of additional options that create a relatively comfortable working environment and lighten the load, reducing overall fatigue.

The middle position between these devices is occupied by semi-professional units. They may have some additional professional features, but may not be used as intensively as they are.

Grinding machines are classified according to the following criteria:

• Surface treatment method;
• Areas of use;
• Installation rules;
• Engine power;
• Availability of additional functions;
• Manufacturer companies.

On the first basis, the grinding tool is divided into types:

• Tape;
• Eccentric;
• Delta grinding;
• Vibration grinder;
• Orbital;
• Surface grinding;
• Brush.

Of the whole variety of such units, without preliminary analysis, it is rather difficult to choose a sander for wood. All of them are capable of high-quality processing of the surface of any wood. When choosing a tool for home use, it is necessary to determine the list of works that will be performed and evaluate it on the basis of the criterion “efficiency. cost”. This will allow you to get the necessary machine without overpayment.

Grinding machines rating

When choosing such machines, you can use several ways:

Based on the analysis carried out, you can choose the machine that will be better for the tree.

Best Eccentric Sanders

Most reference materials offer a rating of eccentric grinders in which the following models occupy the leading places:

• Dewalt DWE6423;
• Makita BO5041;
• BOSCH GEX 125-150 AVE.

Each has a working body called a sole. Sheets with applied abrasive chips are attached to it. Fastening is carried out using clamps or applied adhesive. The sole makes a reciprocating motion, thanks to which the surface treatment is carried out. The power of such machines does not exceed 750 W. The maximum swing is 7 mm. All these models have the ability to connect to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust and abrasive elements.

Each of these models has the following advantages:

• Existence of a system for repayment of excessive fluctuations;
• Low noise level;
• Reliability of attachment of the abrasive disc;
• Long term of continuous work;
• Convenient speed control.

All these machines can be used for both professional and domestic purposes.

Main technical characteristics

One of the important points affecting the final choice of a grinder is its characteristics. The main technical characteristics of such units include:

• Engine power and its type;
• Rotation speed (maximum revolutions);
• Width of the treated surface in one pass;
• Network cable length;
• Geometric dimensions;
• Weight.

One of the important characteristics is what material a particular grinder is intended for processing. For example, what kind of wood will be better processed by this machine.

Additional features

Additional features of the grinders include:

• Possibility to connect to a household or industrial vacuum cleaner;
• Power on LED indicator;
• Additional handle (usually rubberized);
• Additional stops (corner and parallel).

These functions can make work easier, but their presence inevitably leads to an increase in the price of the tool.

Best Vibration Sanders

From all the variety of such units, users have compiled a rating of vibration grinders. The following models occupy the leading positions in this rating:

• Makita BO3711
• Dewalt DWE6411
• Bosch GSS 23 AE

Such units are called surface grinders. By design, they resemble eccentric ones. Their sole makes not circular movements, but reciprocating movements. A high-frequency vibration process takes place. These vibrations allow for high precision grinding (polishing).

The main advantages of such devices are:

• Accurate surface treatment even on soft wood;
• Good absorption of side vibration, which reduces stress on the hands;
• Low noise level;
• Sophisticated ergonomics allows you to work with such machines for a long time.

Vibratory grinders are mainly used in the final stages of processing.

How to choose a sander for wood

Grinding machines are a good helper for surface treatment of various parts or entire structures. Due to a wide variety of designs and a wide range of abrasive materials used, they are able to carry out the entire range of machining operations from the coarsest roughing to precise (grinding). In order to choose the right grinder, you need to clearly understand the list of future work, what material will be the processed parts, and what material must be used.

Best Belt Sanders

• BOSCH PBS 75 AE;
• METABO BAE 75;
• MAKITA 9403;

In draw frames, a special belt is used as an abrasive tool. Its edges are fixed in such a way that a closed ring is obtained. Belt lengths are standard sizes such as 457 mm, 533 mm and 610 mm. The use of linear grinding technology and high belt rotation speed provide this tool with high productivity. The installed motors can be up to 1500 W. With their help, all types of work are performed, from the coarse (peeled) to the finest (final).

Each of the listed models has its own design features, but they all guarantee high quality processing of various surfaces: metal, wood, plastic.

Brush

Typically, this equipment is used to remove a layer of paint or iron oxide from a metal or wood surface.

Also, such a sander is used to structure wood.

Belt Sanders

Belt sanders are often chosen for professional or household processing of furniture products. The working tool, in this case, is an abrasive belt stretched between two rollers.

The main advantage of belt sanders is a wide working surface, i.e. belt width.

This indicator can be from 75 to 100 millimeters, which allows you to shoot up to fifteen grams of the processed material in one pass.

Use a belt sander for roughing large wood, concrete, metal or plastic surfaces. Also, using such a device, you can perform peeling or stripping operations.

In case it is necessary to process a small-sized part, some models of these grinders provide the possibility of stationary installation.

Angle grinders

Angle grinders, popularly “angle grinders”, can be distinguished into a separate class, since they can be used not only to grind various surfaces, but also to cut materials such as: metal, stone and concrete.

Despite this feature, the angle grinder is not suitable for wood processing due to its low density.

Also, the advantages of such equipment over other grinders are the ability to install various attachments, a relatively low weight (up to five kilograms) and a high reliability.

Grinder device

Vibration grinders

Such equipment has a flat work surface that reciprocates in a horizontal plane. In this case, the amplitude of such movements is minimal, but the speed is maximum.

The process of sanding the surface to be treated is carried out using a sandpaper fixed to the sole with Velcro or fasteners.

Such devices are equipped with an engine with a power of up to 600 watts, due to which they have a low weight and fairly good maneuverability.

High quality of processing is achieved due to the fact that the presence of a fine-pored polymer lining of the sole ensures the most tight fit of the sanding cloth to the processed surface.

The lower two types are not used in the production of furniture, but we could not miss them in this review.

The use of grinders in furniture production

Grinding machines are especially widely used in the furniture industry to give parts the required shapes and a smooth surface.

After cutting out the contours of the part using a saw tool, usually a jigsaw, the surface of the workpiece is processed using a belt sander.

However, such a tool is only suitable for roughing operations and does not allow achieving high surface quality in corners and niches. Therefore, for finishing, specialists in furniture production use the so-called “irons” or vibration grinders.

Due to their compact size and light weight, such devices are maneuverable enough to get into the most difficult-to-reach places. But let’s talk about everything in order.

Before choosing a grinder, you need to decide on the scope of its application. It depends on this what equipment you need and what characteristics you should pay attention to.

In order to help you make the right choice, we will tell you about the types of such equipment, its area of ​​application and some features.

Overview of furniture sanders and more

Grinding machines are a category of power tools designed for grinding and polishing of various materials in their structure, such as: wood, metal, stone, glass and plastic.
With the help of such equipment, you can remove old paint from the surface, cut slate sheets, process wood and chipboard elements, as well as marble and concrete.

Which sander to choose. professional or household?

A feature of this type of professional equipment is the high quality of components and assemblies.

Thanks to this, as well as the robust design of the case, the professional grinders are designed for tough operating conditions. In addition, this class of tools differs from household equipment in a higher degree of wear resistance, large dimensions, weight and price.

Household models of grinders will appeal to those who wish to purchase a quality tool at an affordable price. However, it is not possible to use such equipment in an intensive mode.

When using grinders of this category, take a short break every 15 minutes of operation.

In addition to the price, the advantages of such a tool include low weight and convenient body design.

Now that you know about some of the features of grinders, let’s look at their types, as well as the technological and design features of each of them.

Types of grinders

Depending on the design, the nature of the surface to be treated, the principle of operation and the final result of the work, the following types of grinders are distinguished:

• Corner;
• Straight;
• Tape;
• Brush;
• Vibration grinders.

Let’s look at each of these types in more detail.