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Sanding isn't the most fun task when carrying out a woodwork project. It can be time consuming and strenuous.
However, if you have the proper sanders for the job, it makes life much easier. Below, you'll find a complete rundown of the best sanders for cabinets and general woodwork.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best sanders for cabinets:
Comparison Chart of the Best Sanders for Cabinets
Product | Main Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
Bosch ROS20VSC  | ||
Tacklife PRS01A  | ||
Teccpo TAMS22P  | ||
Black+Decker BDERO100  | ||
Ryobi DS1200  | ||
DeWalt DWE6411K  |
What Makes a Sander Great for Cabinets?
When working on woodwork projects, there are certain qualities that you should look out for before buying a sander. The below list highlights a few of these qualities.
Comfort
If you're going to be sanding away for hours on end, you might as well find something with an ergonomic design that gives your hand a comfortable grip.
Another comfort feature to think about is the anti-vibration technology; after a while, your hand feels like it's disappeared if it doesn't have a way of dealing with vibration.
Added Value
A great sander should provide you with more value than just sanding your wood. Consider additional features like a dust extractor, which significantly reduces the mess, in turn, saving you time on cleaning up.
It Suits The Task at Hand
It's got to be the right sander for the job; it can't just be any sander you find in the store.
The type of sander that's best for working on cabinets would be finishing sanders; orbit and palm sanders both fit into this category, both also have their pros and cons. Finishing sanders are better at getting into small spaces, shaping and adding fine detail.
Review of the Best Sanders for Cabinets
We've introduced you to the world of sanders; now we'll show you some of our current favorites, as well as talking about why we think they're some of the best currently on offer.
Best Overall
Bosch ROS20VSC
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Currently, our highest-rated sander for many reasons. The Bosch brand knows how to make durable and reliable products. To start, the dust collector can take in most micro-particles, even down to ½ micron in diameter.
The comforting rubber grip is another key benefit for this sander as it feels as though you could sand for hours without your hand going numb, a common problem of low-quality sanders.
Swirl marks are common with random orbital sanders, although this sander removes that risk with its quality dampening pad.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The hoop and loop disc attachment system is the stand out feature of the Bosch sander. It's more like an adhesive, you slap it on, and you're good to go. It is benefiting those that are looking to maximize their productivity.
Runner-up
Tacklife PRS01A
PROS
CONS
Our Review
It was a close race between our eventual runner up and overall best. The Tacklife random orbit sander offers up to 13,000 OPM; a standard sander only operates at around 1,200. You'll not need to buy the sandpaper as a 12pc set comes with the purchase.
If you require more flexibility with speed, this sander provides you with an adjustable 6-gear system; you'll have plenty of control over the rate at which it operates.
If that isn't enough, you will find the handle a lot more comfortable than most sanders, as it has a soft-touch rubber grip.
The only issue with this sander is that you need to put some real effort into removing the dust collector as it can become stuck; this might make things a bit messy.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This sander's ball-bearing design removes the strain of the vibration after constant use; this feature, coupled with the ergonomic grip, is why this product stands out from the competition. The sander is comfortable to operate for long periods.
Best for the Money
Teccpo TAMS22P
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Cheaper doesn't mean low-quality, and the Teccpo is the perfect example of that. This detail sander is valuable for when you need to shape a piece of wood, and with the oval, triangular shape, it gets into those hard to reach edges.
The dust collector is a bag which comes off relatively easily, meaning no mess. You'll undoubtedly be able to get the job done fast with it's 14,000 OPM ability.
Another thing to consider is the hook and loop attachment, it's another adhesive like system that makes it easy to use. The only downside is that the hook and loop material does wear away easily and that the dust collector sometimes gets easily clogged.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Like we said earlier, this sander is relatively cheap for the value that it can add to the user. The features are all somewhat similar to that of a more expensive device.
Therefore, the real selling point here is the value for money that the sander offers. The occasional hobbyist woodworker best uses this product for that reason.
Best Sander for Kitchen Cabinets
Black+Decker BDERO100
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Black+Decker sander is a small, lightweight, and effective sander to work on small woodwork tasks. The random orbital sander, although small, still provides your wood with a smooth finish that can be relied on throughout its life.
When working with the sander, the ergonomic handle grip made from soft-touch rubber minimizes the effects of vibration. The dust collector is a bag, making it slightly easier to store. The only downside with the bag is that it can lead to a mess if not appropriately attached.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This sander stands out for the reason that it's much better to use when working on kitchen cabinets; the reason for that is because they've got a lot more layers, which results in the cabinet being tighter.
Therefore with this sander being able to get into these tight spots thanks to its size and design, it's more than suitable for the task at hand.
Best Hand Sander for Cabinets
Ryobi DS1200
PROS
CONS
Our Review
One of the best hand sanders for cabinets is the sander's triangular head shape, which allows such precision when sanding into tight corners and cracks.
Another beneficial design feature is that with a longer body, it's easier to guide and control the sander's movement into these tough spots.
The automatic operation means your fingers won't get fatigued from holding an ON button the entire time. All of this can be done to around 13,000 OPM, making it a fast solution for sanding cabinets.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The special part about this is the design of the sander. The elongated body allows more control over the direction of movement, therefore providing an extra layer of fine detail control.
The same goes for the triangular pad; this means you'll get into those tight corners with no edge being uneven.
Best Sander for Refinishing Cabinets
DeWalt DWE6411K
PROS
CONS
Our Review
When you're refinishing a cabinet, it can take some time to get that top layer off to reveal a smooth bottom layer. The 14,000 OPM will do quick work of that by quickly removing vast amounts of top layer wood.
The benefit of using this particular sander is that a vacuum can be connected to the product's universal fitting. It continuously removes any dust collected without having to stop and start while cleaning out the dust collector.
Not only that, but the counterweight included with the device significantly reduces the issue of vibration, a common problem with sanders. The only downside with the paper clamp design is that after a while, the clamp does weaken, meaning the paper tends to slide around.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This product's unique feature is the option given to you of attaching a vacuum to the device and removing the need to continuously stop and start to empty a dust bag/collector. This feature is great specifically for refinishing a cabinet as there's so much dust involved.
Hold up, are you interested in other topics about sanders? If so, these might be something to check out:
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
There are many factors and considerations to think of before buying a sander. We've included below some of what we believe are the most common and important questions to think about before buying.
Does It Have a Dust Collector?
Dust collectors make a world of difference; sanding is challenging enough without the extra work of sweeping the entire workshop.
A dust collector can work a few ways, it can be a small box or bag attached at the end of the sander, or you can attach a vacuum to remove the need of emptying the box every so often.
What Kind Of Sander Is It?
Different woodworking tasks require certain sanders to complete the job. In the case of cabinets, any finishing sander would be useful.
A triangular pad sander would be the most beneficial when working with tight corners. The same can go for finishing sanders with a square or rectangular pad.
Can It Be Used Continuously With Comfort?
Comfort is an important part of the decision-making process when it comes to sanders. If you're holding a sander for just 10 minutes, the handle quality can affect the pressure put on your hand. You'd be looking for something with a soft rubber grip that also reduces the effects of vibration.
Conclusion
Now you have all the information you need to complete that cabinet project, along with a few of our recommendations. It's all about knowing your project and its requirements; there's always going to be a sander out there for you.
People Also Ask
With such detailed information, there's bound to be a few more questions. Take a look below, and you'll see we've answered some of the most common questions regarding sanding cabinets.
What Grit Sandpaper Is Best For Cabinets?
Most experts would recommend that 120-grit sandpaper would be suitable for use on cabinets. The key is to sand with the wood's grain and take a quick look over to ensure all the top layer material has been removed.
How Can I Reduce Dust While Sanding Cabinets?
The best way is to use a sander with a vacuum attachment. However, if that isn't possible, a standard dust collector is suitable, although it can get messy if you don't secure the dust collector properly.
Do I Need A Dust Mask When Sanding Cabinets?
Regardless if you have a dust collector or not, you should always be wearing a mask when sanding. The fine dust particles can affect breathing if not worn.