Any DIY project needs the right tools, and if you’re stripping wood prior to painting, you’ll need a good sander. That’s why we put together this guide to help you find the best sander for furniture.
You’ll find many types of sanders for furniture on our list, including orbital, detail, and sheet sanders. We even included a non-electric option to appeal to a wide variety of budgets.
Whether you’re looking to make a long-term investment in your toolkit or try your hand at woodworking, this best sander for furniture guide will help you make the best purchase decision.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Black + Decker Mouse Electric Sander
Budget Option:
Wen Electric Detailing Palm Sander
Best Cordless Option:
DeWalt 20V Max Orbital Sander
Best Overall
Black + Decker Mouse Electric Detail Sander
The Black + Decker Mouse Electric Detail Sander tops our list of best sanders for furniture for many reasons, including design, size, and affordability.
Let’s start with the smart, ergonomic design. This sander is shaped to fit in tight spaces when grinding furniture. The 10-inch long base makes it great for large surfaces, but the triangular corner helps with detail work. No cramped space is a match for this efficient sander.
It has a 3-position grip that helps you easily tackle a project from different angles. The dust collector is positioned at the base and doesn’t get in the way while you’re working.
The powerful 1.2 amp motor delivers a powerful speed for quick and efficient grinding. This sander is powered by a cord, which allows unlimited runtime when completing a job.
With an affordable price tag, the Black + Decker Electric Detail Sander ensures anyone can upgrade their toolkit without breaking the bank.
Pros:
– Great for detail work
– Affordable
– Ergonomic design
Cons:
– Corded
Best Budget
WEN Electric Detailing Palm Sander
We had to include a budget-friendly option on our list of best sanders for furniture, and the WEN Electric Palm Sander does not disappoint. This sander offers a ton of efficiency for an incredibly reasonable price.
The WEN sander is small but mighty, measuring 3.75 x 5.5 inches. The slight size makes this sander perfect for detail and accent work on furniture. The 0.8 amp engine ensures a robust power supply when grinding down wood.
This model only weighs 2 lbs, which helps reduce fatigue on your arms and back. Another nice feature is the velcro base pad that allows simple sandpaper removal and installation. The dust collector is installed inside the machine and won’t interfere with your work.
We have to hand it to WEN for creating one of the best sanders for furniture without compromising affordability.
Pros:
– Budget-friendly
– Ergonomic design
Cons:
– Small size
– Corded
Best Cordless Sander
DeWALT 20V MAX Orbital Sander
When putting together this list of best sanders for furniture, we had to include a cordless option. When working on a project, the last thing you want is to get tangled in a pesky cord.
We listed the DEWALT MAX Orbital Sander as our top cordless pick because of its powerful motor and user-friendly design.
This model will help get the job done, with a 20-volt battery and 5-volt motor to power you through your work. A speed control button on the sander allows you to switch between settings easily.
The textured rubber grip lets you comfortably grind while reducing strain and fatigue on your joints. The sander has a low-profile height so that you can get close to work surfaces for precision sanding.
It comes with a dust bag, but you can also easily attach this sander to a vacuum for easy cleanup.
Pros:
– Cordless
– Attaches to vacuum
– Powerful motor
Cons
– Large size makes it hard for detail work
– Pricier than other options
SKIL Corded Multi-Function Detail Sander
The SKIL Corded Multi-Function Detail Sander has excellent bang for your buck. For a reasonable price, you get a high-quality sander, dust box, three sanding attachments, and a 12-piece sanding sheet.
The sander has a 1.2 amp motor, which consistently performs when grinding down wood surfaces. It’s tough on dust, and you can choose between a dust pan or a vacuum attachment.
The SKIL sander creates a low vibration and has a soft rubber grip to reduce hand fatigue, allowing you to work longer.
The SKIL has to be one of the most versatile options on our list of best sanders for furniture. Whether you’re grinding down a wide surface or tight corner, the easy-to-use attachments get the job done.
Pros:
– Includes different attachments and sanding sheets
– Affordable
– Low vibration reduces hand fatigue
Cons:
– Not as powerful as other options
DeWALT Palm Sander
The DeWALT Palm Sander is the best sheet sander for large furniture projects.
The 2.3 amp motor creates a powerful grind, helping you finish your sanding project in no time. This sander weighs just under 3 lbs but has a large base, measuring 7 x 6 x 10 inches. The reduced height lets you get closer to your work.
It’s designed to emit low vibrations on the rubber molded grip to provide a more comfortable sanding experience.
The paper clamp holds sandpaper securely when grinding and fits 1/4 sheet. This model allows you to attach a vacuum for efficient dust collection.
This option is one of the best sanders for furniture if you have a big project that needs tackling. Whether you’re grinding the surface of a table, desk, or bookshelf, this sheet sander will help you get there faster.
Pros:
– Large size
– Lightweight
– Ergonomic design
Cons:
– Corded
– Not as powerful as other sanders on this list
POLIWELL Micro Sander Kit
We had to include a non-electric option in our guide to the best sanders for furniture. You’ll appreciate this option if you have detailed sanding to do and don’t want to break out the electric sander.
The POLIWELL Micro Sander Kit proves that you don’t need the bells and whistles for an effective sander. This option is on the smaller side, measuring just 3.5 x 1 inches, but packs a lot of efficiency in a tiny frame.
This micro-sander is comfortable to hold and fits snugly under your index figure. The grip material uses polyurethane foam to ensure a soft, lightweight texture that feels soft to the touch.
The kit includes five sandpaper options ranging from 80 to 400 grit. Whether your furniture needs a gentle polish or a rough grind, this sander can accomplish both.
This bundle comes at an incredibly affordable price that rivals all the options on our best sander for furniture list. While we don’t recommend using this sander for large furniture projects, you can easily use this tool for small detail work or in tight, narrow spaces.
Pros:
– Very affordable
– Ergonomic design
– Great for accent work or tight spaces
Cons:
– Small
– Non-electric
Best Sander for Furniture: Buying Guide
Buying the best sander for furniture is an investment, and we want to make sure you spend your hard-earned money on something you love. Consider the following factors to make the most optimal purchase decision.
Cordless vs. Corded
Before you decide on the best sander for furniture, contemplate whether you want to buy a corded or cordless model.
A cordless sander offers the most ease when grinding down your project surface. You don’t have to worry about getting tangled in a cord or having enough slack between the sanding area and the outlet.
You can even take a cordless sander to remote regions and work on a project anywhere without worrying about electricity, as long as you have a decent charge.
The downside to a cordless sander is that you’re limited to a charge time. It can feel stressful to be working under a time limit, and the last thing you want is your sander dying mid-project.
A corded sander might be your best bet if you want to avoid worrying about runtime. If you plan on completing projects around the house or in a workshop, we recommend investing in a corded sander for the most efficient workflow.
Vacuum Attachment
Attaching your sander to a vacuum can save you valuable clean-up time. Plus, you don’t have to worry about emptying the dustbin during longer sanding periods.
If you value a tidy workspace and want to tackle larger furniture projects, consider buying a sander with a vacuum attachment. Most sanders that offer vacuum ports also include a dust collector, so you can always decide which you prefer.
If you purchase one without a vacuum port, you won’t be able to add one after buying. To protect your losses, consider buying one that works with both attachments.
Electric vs. Non-Electric
Nearly all the choices in our best sander for furniture guide use electricity to ensure a smooth, even grind without exertion. Electric sanders will help you finish the job faster, with less stress on your joints.
The downside of using an electric sander is that you’ll need some power supply to keep the machine running. You’ll have a harder time using an electric sander in remote areas unless you buy a generator or battery to power your tool. Plus, electricity adds up, and large projects can drain your energy bill.
A non-electric sander costs next to nothing, and you can use it anywhere you want. Just be prepared to work up a good sweat when using one. You may want to consider the long-term wear and tear on your body that comes with manual sanding.
FAQ
Now let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the best sanders for furniture.
Can I use an orbital sander on furniture?
Orbital sanders are among the best sanders for furniture since they’re versatile and easy to control. You can use it with the wood’s grain or against it since an orbital sander rotates in a random pattern.
Orbital sanders are almost too effective and can remove material quickly. If you use this option, keep it moving at all times to avoid sanding grooves into the wood.
Another downside to orbital sanders is the large, circular base. You can angle it to grind narrow areas, but getting into tight corners is hard. Using a sander with a rectangular base or detail attachment will serve you better in these scenarios.
What’s the fastest way to sand furniture?
Using a sander with a vacuum attachment is the fastest way to grind furniture surfaces.
If your electric sander has a built-in dust collection, the tool will essentially ride on a thin layer of dust while sanding, preventing complete contact between grit and wood.
Hooking your sander up to a vacuum creates a suction that pulls the dust off the sanding surface. This method can help you finish sanding in half the time.
Is it better to sand furniture by hand or with a sander?
Despite the incredible ease of grinding with an electric sander, you risk leaving tool marks on your furniture. Sanding by hand can help prevent accidentally creating grooves and bumps in the wood.
If you have a delicate restoration project, you may want to do it the old-fashioned way and use some elbow grease.
Best Sander for Furniture: Summed Up
Whether you’re restoring a table, chair, or boudoir, finding the best sander for furniture is imperative for success.
We hope our best sander for furniture guide helped you nail down the right option. With all the choices out there, you can find the perfect one that suits your woodworking needs.
Now that you’ve found the right sander for you, check out our painting furniture section for more DIY inspiration.
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