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Doors can come in all different sizes and have many tight groves and corners that need sanding. That's why, it's crucial to find the right sander for the job. Below is a guide on how to find the best sander for working on doors.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best sanders for doors:
Comparison Chart of the Best Sanders for Doors
Product | Specs | Price |
|---|---|---|
Ryobi RS290G  | ||
Bosch GSS20-40  | ||
Genesis GPS080  | ||
Tacklife PRS01A  | ||
Einhell TE-RS  |
What Makes a Sander Great for Doors?
Sanding doors can sometimes be hard if you don't have the right tools. It's important to find a sander that can do it all. Below are some of the key features to keep an eye out for when researching.
Easily Controlled
Control is important; you want to guide the sander around with ease and have full control of the speed of the sanding pad. It would be best if you tried to find a sander that gives you a decent grip, multiple gripping positions, and speed controls.
Detail Attachments
Sanders comes in all shapes and sizes and sometimes won't reach tight corners or grooves, which is why additional attachables like a finger attachment will come in useful when working on doors.
Sanding Head Pad Shape
The shape of the sanding pad is an important consideration when working on a door. You want a pad that will cover enough area but can also get into tight spaces. Oval shaped sanding pads are great for this, or even a general sander with a finger attachment.
Review of the Best Door Sanders
Keep an eye out for all the features we've mentioned above. But, in this section, we'll show you exactly what a high-quality sander built for sanding doors looks like.
Best Door Sander
Ryobi RS290G
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The 4lb Ryobi unit provides you with a lightweight and versatile sander fit for most applications. The orbital sander operates at a single speed of 12,500 OPM, which is plenty for most applications.
The only downside regarding the speed is that it can't be controlled, which means some tasks might be off the cards due to the high speed.
The hook and loop abrasive attachment method is a common and efficient one. It dramatically reduces the hassle of switching sandpaper, which you receive three of with each purchase.
The soft-rubber handle gives you a firm grip; you also have the option of holding the neck of the sander or the top handle.
To reduce the likelihood of any escaping dust, the dust is vacuumed from the bottom of the pad and put straight into the dust bag.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The high speeds at which this sander operates are what set it apart from the competition. 12,500 OPM is incredibly fast; you'll have no issue with sanding an entire door much quicker than the competition.
Runner-up
Bosch GSS20-40
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Bosch sander was a clear and worthy runner-up for a few reasons. Firstly, the sander itself operates at 12,000 OPM, more than enough for most carpentry tasks. The vast speeds are bound to cause some vibration, but this is drastically reduced due to the soft-rubber handles; the user barely feels it.
To counter the issue of the hook and loop abrasive weakening, this sander uses a clamping method to hold the sandpaper in place.
This particular device is a palm sander, which is a lot smaller; this allows the user to sand places much narrower and tighter. The only issue here is that there are no variable speed controls.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Utilizing the clamping attachment method is what sets this sander apart from the competition. By using a clamp method, this removes the risk of the hook and loop abrasive material from weakening; a common issue among sanders that use that system. The clamping method is far more secure.
Best for the Money
Genesis GPS080
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The small palm sander packs a serious punch as it operates at a speed of 14,000 OPM to get a job done quickly and easily. The small size and oval pad shape mean you can sand tight corners and awkward angles, a key benefit when sanding a workpiece with plenty of grooves and intricate designs.
The hook and loop method will always be a considerable advantage to those that hate messing around with changing their sandpaper. The dust protection is a decent addition; adding a plastic cap over the on/off switch dramatically reduces the chance of dust clogging the internal system.
The only downsides with this product are that the plastic casing can easily be broken; it's quite a cheap-feeling plastic. Due to the head's size, it would take much longer to cover a large workpiece, like a door or bed frame.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The oval shape of the pad is what sticks out the most with this sander. The pad shape allows you more access into those hard to reach spots. Without that, you'd need multiple sanders and attachments even to reach those areas. This sander would be perfect for the finishing stages of a workpiece.
Best Sander for Cabinet Doors
Tacklife PRS01A
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Control over your sander should be one of the biggest priorities; this random orbital sander can produce speeds of up to 13,000 OPM. However, you can control over six different speed settings.
The dust container can be easily detached but is still incredibly secure during operation. With the purchase, you receive 12pcs of sandpaper, which is split between 80 and 180-grit.
A common issue with sanders of this size and speed is that they can suffer from overwhelming vibration. But, with the soft-rubber handle, this isn't an issue on this particular tool.
The only downside would be that it can't reach into any intricate designs or grooves common on modern furniture and doors.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The variable speed controls are what set this sander apart from the competition. The fact that you have six different speed settings allows more possibilities for the user regarding what tasks can be done with this sander.
Editor's Pick
Einhell TE-RS
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Not many finishing sanders of this size can boast variable speed controls that operate between 14,000 and 22,000 OPM. The six-gear settings provide far more flexibility in what tasks can be paired with this sander.
The battery power source can be a huge benefit as this allows you to take the handheld device anywhere; it's also lightweight, which is another great advantage.
The only issue with that is the battery and charger don't come with the purchase. The gripping positions are also pretty comfortable and allow the user more control and flexibility.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The fact that it's battery-powered is definitely the stand out feature for this sander. Not many sanders are battery-powered and offer far more flexibility and control over how and when you can use the sander. This would be a perfect addition to a tradesman's tool belt as it's compact and lightweight.
Wood Sander Types - What Kind Of Sander Do I Need?
There are many different types of sander and all of their own variations and ways of working. Below are some brief comparisons of the kinds of sander.
Orbital vs. Sheet Sander
Sheets sanders, also known as finishing sanders, use a small sheet of paper to sand down workpieces. They're not as powerful as orbital sanders and are excellent for the very end stages of finishing your workpiece, typically for polishing and removing very minor issues.
An orbital sander is more powerful but can still be used in the finishing process. They use a circular motion and don't need to work with the grain like a sheet sander.
Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander
The random orbital sander operates with a circular and orbital motion, which significantly reduces scratches or marking risk. Random orbital sanders tend to be more aggressive and powerful than their orbital sander counterpart.
Palm sanders are much smaller and less powerful when it comes to material removal. However, they're mainly used on precise and detailed work.
Belt vs. Orbital Sander
A belt sander is an aggressive sander that is used mainly for shaping and fast material removal. They are great for removing paint and any previous finish and would greatly suit the beginning sanding work on doors.
The orbital is classed more as a finishing sander. It would, therefore, be used after the primary shaping and material removal has been completed.
Conclusion
The important thing to remember is to take your time, and there's less chance of anything going wrong. If you follow the guides and information provided above, you shouldn't go wrong. Take some time to take it in and refer to the information above if you need a hand.
People Also Ask
The above information can be a lot to take in, and no doubt you'll have questions, which is why we've compiled and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the best sanders for doors.
What Is A Belt Sander Used For?
A belt sander is used mainly to remove large quantities of material within a short period. They're known for their aggressiveness and speed. Because they have a wide belt, it can cover more of your workpiece.
What Is The Fastest Way To Sand Wood?
There is no magical speedy way to sand your wood. The best way is by taking your time to ensure it's sanded properly, which will save you time. If you rush the sanding process, this will only create more problems that take more time to fix.
How Much Is A Sander?
It depends on what kind of sander you're looking for. But, for your average belt sander, it can be as low as $40 and as high as $250. Belt sanders of the same quality as those featured in this article are between $40 and $100.
How To Clean Wood After Sanding
There are a few ways, but the most common include a sweeping compound, which is oil-based; this will attract and absorb all the dust. Another method could be by just using a vacuum. Dust mops can also be used; they tend to be used on unfinished wood.
What Grit Sandpaper Is Best For Doors?
If you're looking to shape the wood and remove some material, you could use between 40 to 80-grit sandpaper. 100 to 150-grit will be useful for removing old varnish or paint.
What Is A Dual Action Sander?
Dual-action sanders are like a hybrid of the belt and disc sander. They can either have a rectangular or circular pad shape.
The DA sander operates a linear yet rotary motion when in use. Rectangular DA sanders are better for use on wooden items as this reduces the likelihood of scratches.
What Does a Sanding Sealer Do? Do I Need It?
Sanding sealant is not necessary in any situation. It helps stop any porous wood from soaking up the first few coats of sprayed lacquer. If you want a perfectly flat, pore-free finish, then this would be useful.
How to Sand Wooden Doors
If you've not used a sander before, please follow our guide below to get to grips with the basics.
- Ensure the correct sandpaper grit is attached to your sander.
- When sanding wood, you want to place the device on the workpiece and then start operating the machine.
- Ensure that you're working with the grain of the wood to avoid scratches or marks. Move the sander in a circular motion, like the way you would when sanding by hand.
- Keep moving the sander and don't stop as this could make the wood uneven and potentially cause friction burns.
- If there are small design grooves in the door, this can be reached by using a finger attachment, or if your head pad is an oval shape, that should do the trick.