Stationary sander buying guide
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Guide written on 6 February 2024 by:
Alice, Furniture Maker, Manchester
Important features
- Motorization
- Frame
- Type
What is a stationary sander?
Fixed on a frame, machine sanders are stationarymachines and come in various forms. Whether they are band, disc, oscillating, combined or calibrating, all have a common purpose: to smooth the surface of a piece of wood. To this end, sanding machines use abrasive papers of a variety of grain sizes. Each type of machine operates via a different kind of movement. The effect of the machine's rapid movement combined with the abrasive power of the sandpaper removes the rough edge of the wood.
Machine sanders
What are the features common to all stationary sanding machines?
First off, they're all stationary!... And mounted on a frame and a stand or bench generally made of:
Steel;
Aluminium- lightweight though less durable;
Cast aluminium - heavy and stable
There are also two types of motors:
Asynchronous, powerful and less noisy;
Traditional
All sanding machines also have a punch-type emergency stop button.
However, the most important factor to consider is themovement of the sanding head!
What's a stationary belt sander?
As the name suggests, it's a machine that uses a motorized continuousabrasivebelt on the surface you want to sand. It's basically identical to a handheld belt sander, except the belt stays put and sands everything that comes into contact with it!
Generally, smaller models have a horizontal band so pieces can be fed from above. Larger machines may have a table to place your piece of wood on; some have an adjustable tilting arm that the band rotates around, letting you work directly from in front of the machine.
Belts vary widely in width, from 13 to 150mm. A variant on the standard model is the oscillating belt sander - as well as rotating at high speed, the band makes a slight movement from top to bottom to eliminate any remaining roughness for a perfect result!
What's an oscillating spindle sander?
Yep, you heard right! As well as oscillating belt machines, you can get oscillatingspindle sanders.
These are machines with a vertical rotating shaft mounted on a horizontal table - i.e. a "spindle" perpendicular to the table. Plastic sleeves of various diameters can be attached to the spindle followed by the desired grade of sandpaper.The spindle rotates on its axis and also oscillates vertically, which creates a powerful dual sanding effect and a high quality finish; handy for sanding fine fretwork!
Sandpaper
And a disc sander...?
No catch here either: an abrasive paper disc is fixed to the machine frame - with Velcro or self-adhesive - and driven by the motor. The axis of the disc is vertical (i.e perpendicular to the table, just like on spindle models).
Often stationary sanding machines feature a disc sander coupled with a belt sander in a combined or 2 in 1 setup. Models differ in their power ratings and disc diameters.
And what about "calibrating" sanders?
Real professional territory now, the calibrating sander allows you to sand large pieces of wood and obtain aperfect finish. The machine looks similar to a planer, but is equipped with one or two abrasive rollers in place of the irons, to which any grade of sandpaper can be fitted. Roller widths are between 20cm and 2m and depending on their size, either the table or the roller can be adjusted in height to achieve different "calibrated" sanding settings.
The special feature of this type of sander is of course the calibration, which lets you dictate a precise finished thickness for your piece of wood!
A range of accessories complete the set:
Adjustable feed speed;
Dust suction;
"Special finish" modules (i.e. wood texturing);
Programmer
Again, this is the real high-end kit you'd find in professional carpentry workshops.
Sandpaper
Choosing a stationary sander: which way will you go?
Go for a medium-sized belt sander if you're generally carrying out tasks on the scale of cabinetmaking. This type of machine will allow you to sand high volumes of wood rapidly and precisely.
If you make wooden models, opt for a smaller combined sander! With this type of machine you'll have all the little corners finished to perfection in no time.
Luthiers, choose an oscillating spindle model - well suited to sanding curved edges and other fretwork.
If you're a carpenter or joiner, you really want a calibrating sander. Designed for larger pieces of wood, this professional piece of kit will have you whistling while you work through large volumes of well-finished planks and boards.
Not to be abrasive, but you'd better get on and choose!... Who knows, with the right machine you might even come to love sanding.
Learn more about woodworking tools...
To find out more about working with wood, follow our editors' advice and check out their other guides:
How to choose your wood floor?
How to choose your protective eyewear?
How to choose your protective gloves?
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Guide written by:
Alice, Furniture Maker, Manchester
I have been crafty since my childhood, I have always been fond of new tools and other small practical machines. Beyond my interest in tools and materials, I am interested in building of all types. My professional experience as an artisan craftswoman, allows me to work with a material that’s both noble and common at the same time: wood. Surrounded by carpenters and other builders, I am constantly interacting with professional and amateur wood workers, but also various kinds of manufacturing. I am also an amateur gardener, I like to cultivate my vegetable garden. You could say that summer ends under the sign of ratatouille. So, with two passions, I hope to answer your questions.
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