Sanding is an essential task in the case of wooden projects. Without proper sanding, the project that you were putting effort into will not look like what you intended it would. And, sanding with regular sandpaper, as in by using only your muscles to smooth the edges and surface can be a tedious work sometimes.
To make the process feel effortless and much more comfortable, you are going to require a palm sander. But with all the options that are available in the market, it gets quite hard to source out the best palm sanders and settle with one of them.
Well, as you have found us, you will not have to worry anymore. We will make the overall choosing process more straightforward, just like these tools make sanding easier.
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Benefits of Palm Sander
There are many advantages that these tools bring to the table. The first and most obvious one is the ease of use. These are fully automatic as they feature a rotating motor inside. Unlike the manual sanding papers, you will not have to use your hand and move back and forth to smooth out the surfaces of your projects.
The other one is speed. While sanding is a task that is not that difficult to carry out, it will require a lot of time to get your surfaces perfectly contoured. But if you have one of these units with you, you will not only be able to save time but also the effort that you are going to put in using any other sanding tools.
Lastly, one of the reasons why most of the professional workers opt for one of these tools is because they make working with 90-degree angles look effortless. You will be able to get your works contoured to perfection without any hassles at all.
12 Best Palm Sanders Reviews
Because of the overabundance of the options that are available in the market, it is quite easy to get bewildered while choosing one for your woodworks. To make things easier for you, we went through the most popular ones and selected only the ones that offer a decent overall performance. They are:
1. DEWALT D26441 2.4 Amp 1/4 Sheet
You might have already stumbled upon the products that DEWALT sells in the market in your woodworking adventure (also read this guide on the best cant hooks to make your woodworking task easy). They have an extensive lineup of reliable power tools. And this one is no exception.
Let us talk about the power of this power tool first. It comes with a beefed-up 2.4 amps motor. This motor will be able to sand at a staggering spin rate of 14 thousand OPM. With that, getting a superior finish on your wooden projects will be just like taking a walk in the park.
You will not have to worry about the longevity of the components with this unit. The switch, for example, comes with dust sealing. Its sealing will be able to protect external materials such as that from the ingestion of dust, and thus, it will be able to extend the overall lifespan.
To extend the lifespan even further, it has sealed up other crucial internals too. The ball bearing construction that it sports is 100 percent sealed. That means you will not have to worry about sawdust getting inside and messing up the internal gears and other crucial components.
Talking about the design, it comes with an innovative design that will reduce the overall user fatigue. The body is counterbalanced and will output a minimal amount of vibration during operation. With that, you will be able to work on your project for an extended amount of time without having to worry about hand fatigue.
Lastly, the unit comes with a textured top that has an anti-slip coating on the surface. The overall body also features a grip that will let you have a firm grasp of it. It will also enhance comfort. There is also a large dust bag with a built-in vacuum to collect all the sawdust.
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2. PORTER-CABLE 1/4 Sheet (380)
Sanding is one of the tasks that require a lot of dedication and time. And if you are working with a large scale project, the time that you have to put on it is going to be immense. While doing that, getting hand fatigue is quite easy. But if you use this one for the sanding task, you will not have to worry about that anymore.
As we have mentioned above, the unit comes with a unique design that will eliminate the possibilities of fatigue. It has a counterbalanced body that will reduce the overall vibrations.
Alongside that, it also features a dual-plane design. That means you will not have to worry about getting your hand fatigued while carrying out a prolonged sanding session.
Just like most of the units, it also comes with a switch that is totally sealed off. That means you will not have to worry about the dust getting inside the switch and jamming it either. You can expect the switch to operate optimally for an extended amount of time.
In the case of overall performance, it comes with an adequately powered two amps motor. With that, it will be able to offer you about 13,500 OPM. The operational type is not that aggressive, which means it will not remove big chunks of wood from your wooden project.
Alongside the sealed switch, it also comes with sealed ball-bearing construction. That means you will not have to worry about the sawdust getting inside and messing up the internals. This sealing will ensure an extended lifespan, and you will be able to use it optimally for a good amount of time.
The unit also ships with a hassle-free packaging. You will be able to open it up and get to work in no time at all.
Pros
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3. Genesis GPS080 Corner Palm Sander for Regular & Corner Sanding
Among all the units that are available in the market, the best handheld sanders are those that are comfortable to hold. A perfect example of a unit such as that would be this one that is from Genesis.
To begin with, it comes with a motor that is both powerful and efficient. It can offer 14 thousand orbits per minute, which is up to par with most of the beefed-up units that are out there. You will be able to get your sanding task finished in no time at all.
As we have mentioned above, the unit comes with a unique body that is quite comfortable to hold. It features a mouse-shaped design that will get into your palms naturally. You will be able to get a firm grasp of it and will be able to glide it across the surface of your project smoothly.
Other than that, it comes with a unique fastening system. The loop and the hook accessory that it comes with will let you change the sandpapers easily. Because of that, you will not require any pressing clips to replace the worn-out sandpaper out of the unit.
Just like all the other units, it also comes with a sealed up switch. The sealing will be able to prevent sawdust from getting in and jamming the mechanism. That means the switch will not get stiffer over time.
Alongside that, it features sealing on the exterior too. With that, you will not have to worry about the dust getting in the internal components and deteriorating the overall performance. You can expect it to last for a good amount of time.
Lastly, the package will come with three different sanding papers. You will receive 240, 120, and 80 grits papers.
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4. BLACK+DECKER Electric Sander, 1/4-Inch Sheet (BDEQS300)
One of the manufacturers that are offering the best palm sander for woodworking in the market is BLACK+DECKER. They are offering solidly built tools in the market, and this one is an example of that.
Let us talk about the overall design first. It comes with a compact body. You will not only be able to hold it comfortably but also will be able to use it in tight spaces easily. Because of the ergonomic design that it features, you will be able to get maximum control while operating it.
As it comes with a paddle switch, you will be able to power the device on and shut it off smoothly. The motor that it comes featured with is quite dominant too. This 2 amp motor is capable enough to offer 16 thousand OPM. With that, most of the sanding tasks will feel effortless.
The paddle switch is located conveniently on the top. That means you will be able to power it on by naturally pressing the unit down. Because of this switch placement, you will be able to use it using just one hand.
Unlike most of the units that are out there, it comes with a high-performance dust collector. With that, you will not have to worry about the sand dust getting everywhere. Cleaning the workspace will be much easier for you because of this.
As it comes with an orbital sanding mechanism, you will be able to sand tight angles easily. It provides a sanding clearance of 270 degrees. Contouring the edges of your wood pieces will be no hassle at all with this.
Lastly, you are going to receive a sheet of good quality sandpaper with the unit. That means you will be able to get to work right after taking the unit out of the package.
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5. Makita BO5030K 5" Random Orbit Sander
Carrying precious tools from one place to another is a bit challenging if you do not have a proper carrying case with you. Keeping that in mind, Makita is shipping one of their best hand sanders for wood with a sturdy case.
Just like we have mentioned above, the unit ships with a plastic case. This case will allow you to carry the unit from one place to another without you having to worry about transportation damage. You will be able to take it with you and work on different projects that are located at different places at ease.
Other than that, the unit packs a powerful motor too. It is three amps and will be able to offer up to 12 thousand OPM. With that, most of the sanding tasks will feel like taking a walk in the park. It also comes with an oversized ball bearing, which will extend the overall lifespan of the motor.
The overall body design of the unit is quite ergonomic. It comes with a power switch that is conveniently placed that will allow you to use it using one hand. Also, it comes with a grip that has a rubber coating on the exterior, which will let you operate the device comfortably and allow you to get maximum control over the directions.
You will not have to worry about the hassle that comes with cleaning the workspace after you are done with sanding because it comes with an efficient dust collector. It has eight holes under the pad that will collect all the sawdust and put them inside the dust bag.
Lastly, it has a control system that will let you control the overall speed of the pad after starting it.
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6. Hi-Spec 2A 240W Random Orbital Disc
Getting sanding papers for each type of sanding works can be a hassle sometimes. In that case, you should have a look into this unit that comes with ten sanding papers with different grits.
As we have said, the unit comes with ten individual sanding papers. They are of three different grades. You will receive two p60 grit that is for stripping and coursing, four p80, and four p120 grit for fine and medium sanding. With them, you will not have to worry about getting extra papers to get your sanding task going.
Changing the papers is quite easy as well. It comes with a Velcro loop and a hook that will let you quickly detach and reattach sanding paper into the base. Because of that, you will easily be able to switch between different grit papers for making different types of adjustments on the surface of your woodwork.
Just like most of the units, it also comes with a dust collector that will help you in keeping the workspace clean of sawdust. It attaches to a box, and with that installed, you will not have to worry about making a mess of sand dust on your work table.
The unit features a powerful motor too. It can reach up to 12 thousand rpm. The motor utilizes two different sanding actions to ensure a smooth overall surface. With the elliptical motion that it implements, it will be able to eliminate the swirls that most of the units leave behind on the surface.
It also comes with a contoured handle that is quite comfortable to hold. You will get a firm grasp of it, and because of the rubberized coating, you will be able to have reasonable control over the movements.
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Pros
Cons
7. Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
When it comes to power tools, Bosch has always been a go-to brand for many professionals throughout the years. The reason behind that is because of the reliable tools that they offer. This sander can represent that reliability pretty well.
Unlike most of the units that are out there, this one comes with a smooth disc attaching mechanism. It comes with their own signature loop disc and hooks attachment that makes the sanding pads stick to the bottom like a Velcro adhesive material. You will not have to worry about it getting loose when you are operating it.
It also comes with a powerful 2.5 amp motor. The factor that makes this motor stand out is the variable speed that it offers. You will be able to change the sanding speed according to the surface that you are working on.
The rate is adjustable, and you can choose from 7500 to 12000 OPM. With that, working on a delicate wooden surface will not be an issue at all.
Moreover, the unit comes with a dust collector too. It packs a microfiltration system that will trap dust and small particles that are as small as a half micron in diameter. The dust canister that it comes with will show the level that will let you know when to empty it.
You will not have to worry about the swirl marks that most of the sander leaves too. The unit comes with a dampening system with the integral that will prevent the swirl marks. With that, the surface will look smooth and contoured edges will be perfect.
The unit is quite comfortable to hold too. With the soft-grip top and the ergonomic design, it will be able to maximize comfort and offer you ultimate control. Alongside that, it also outputs a low amount of vibration.
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8. VonHaus 2.2 Amp 1/4 Sheet
In your search for one of the best hand sanders for refinishing furniture, you are going to stumble upon a plethora of units. But not all of them will let you get detailed sanding operation like this one from VonHaus will.
To start with, it comes with an adequately powerful 2.2 amps motor. The motor can offer up to a staggering 15000 rpm of speed. With that, working on intricate projects and getting a detailed surface will be just like taking a walk in the park.
Just like most of the units, it also comes with a dust collector system. The collector will help you in keeping your work table clean and will eliminate the hassle of cleaning the sawdust after you are done working with your projects. Also, the collector box is easy to attach.
In the package, you are going to receive five different 4x4-2/5 inches sanding pads. The pads have 1.6 millimeters of working diameter. You will get two 80, two 120, and one 200 grit papers with the unit. That means you will not have to get separate sanding papers after getting the sanders just to get your sanding adventure started.
Because of the clamping mechanism that it comes with, you will be able to switch between the papers at ease. You will not have to worry about stuck papers anymore.
It also comes with an ergonomic design that is quite comfortable to hold. The compact footprint will allow you to glide it on tight spaces easily. It comes with a handle that has a soft rubberized coating on the surface to increase the comfort even further.
You will be able to carry out prolonged sanding sessions without having to worry about hand fatigue with this.
Pros
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9. Ryobi P440 One+ 18V Lithium-Ion 1/4 Sheet Palm Sander
Handling the corded units can be a hassle sometimes. With them, you are always constrained with the power out. Now, if you were looking for something that is cordless, then you should have a look into this one that Ryobi is offering.
Unlike most of the sanders that are out there, this one does not come with a power cord. That means you will not have to worry about finding a power outlet just to get your sanding done. Instead, it comes with a lithium-ion battery that will power on the device.
Even though the device depends on a battery, it did not skimp in the overall power. The 18 volts battery that it comes with will be able to offer you up to 12 thousand RPM consistently. You will get around forty minutes of runtime after a full charge, which is enough to finish off one sanding session.
It also comes with a vacuum adapter port that will help you in keeping your workspace clean. You will be able to attach it with a vacuum that will make cleaning easier. It will collect all the sawdust and accumulate it inside the dust collector box.
Alongside that, it comes with a ¼ inches sheet pads with the package. You are going to receive four different papers that have different grit levels. With them, you will be able to carry out most of the sanding operation after taking the unit out of the package.
Changing the pads is also straightforward. The hook and the clamps that the unit comes with will let you switch between different grit papers within a matter of seconds. Also, the body is quite comfortable to hold too. It comes with rubberized hex grips that will increase both comfort and overall control.
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10. DEWALT Palm Sander, 1/4 Sheet (DWE6411K)
While most of the manufacturers in the market are pushing out devices that are about average, Dewalt is offering sanders that offer excellent overall performance. And this one is one of the units that fall in the best hand sanders list comfortably.
First of all, it comes with a powerful motor that is rated at 2.3 amps. With that, the motor can offer a staggering speed of 14 thousand OPM. You will be able to finish most of the sanding tasks relatively faster with this unit in your hand.
Alongside that, the unit comes featured with a compact and smaller footprint that will let you slide through most of the tight spaces easily. Because of this body design, you will be able to give your wooden projects a smooth surface by leaving no corners unfinished.
Keeping the tabs up with most of the high-end devices, it also comes with a sealed up switch. The rubber boot over the switch will protect it from the invasion of sawdust. With that, it will be able to function optimally for an extended amount of time without showing any signs of being stiff or jammed.
To mitigate the fatigue that occurs during prolonged sessions, it comes with a counterweight body design. This design will reduce the overall vibration significantly, which will enhance comfort. Alongside that, it also comes with a rubberized top that will let you hold the unit comfortably during operations.
It also comes with a locking dust-port mechanism that will allow you to install a vacuum hose to the unit. With that, you will be able to keep your workspace free from sawdusts. The dustbag that it comes with is quite large too. Lastly, to let you carry the unit with you, it comes with a carrying bag.
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11. TACKLIFE 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander
While searching for one of the best hand sanders, you will find plenty of units. But there will be hardly a few that will come packed with such a powerful motor like this one from TAKLIFE.
Let us talk about the highlighting feature of the device first. Unlike most of the available sanders, this one comes with a beefed-up three amps motor.
This 12 volts motor will be able to output at a staggering 13 thousand OPM at a constant rate. That means most of the sanding task will look like a piece of cake with this in your arsenal.
The unit also comes with a variable speed dialer that will let you switch between different rotational speeds depending on the surface that you are working with. You will be able to choose between six different rates. With that, working on a delicate wooden surface will be an easy task.
It also comes included with twelve different sandpapers that are compatible with most of the sanding tasks. All of them are five inches in diameter. You will receive six 80 and six 180 grits paper in the package. With them, you will be able to work with wood, plastic, and metal surfaces.
To help you in keeping your overall workspace clean, it comes with a high-performance dust collector port. The collector box is easy to attach, and it also features a translucent plastic body that will let you quickly check how much capacity is filled with sawdust.
Lastly, the unit comes featured with a compact body. This small footprint will allow you to glide it across tight spaces and tricky corners easily. Also, the rubberized grip that it comes with will make sure that you can comfortably hold the unit while operating it.
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12. WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander
We are going to conclude our best palm sanders review section with this device that is from WEN. If you were in the lookout for a powerful unit that is comfortable to hold, then you should put this one into your consideration list.
As we have stated above, the unit comes featured with an ergonomic design that makes it extremely comfortable to hold. The grip features contouring that will make it fit into hands naturally. It also has a rubber coating on the surface that will make sure that your hands do not slip during operation.
Alongside that, the lightweight and compact body that it features will let you use the unit in tight spaces and tricky corners without any hassles. It only weighs about two pounds. The pads that it comes with have an angled tip that will allow you to do precise finishes on the surface of your project.
Talking about the power of the unit, it comes an adequately powerful motor that will let you finish most of the sandings tasks at ease. It provides a staggering rate of 13,500 OPM, which will allow you to finish your tasks faster.
On the bottom, it comes with six scattered holes that will collect all the sawdust during operation. The dust is then transferred to the port, which will let you keep your workspace free from sawdust and other debris. You will also be able to attach a dustbag to the port that will collect all the loose sawdust into one specific place.
To make the pad changing process easier for you, it comes with a hook-and-loop base that will allow you to switch between different sandpapers at ease. You will be able to change the pads within a matter of seconds.
Pros
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Features to Look for Before Buying
We know that you are pretty thrilled to get one of the devices that we included in our list to start your sanding adventure. But before you decide to invest money in one of the units, there are some factors that you should keep in mind.
These points will not only let you scrutinize the devices better but also will let you make an efficient decision. They are:
Motor
In the case of palm sanders, the motor is a crucial part. The powerful the motor is, the faster you will be able to get your sanding done. Alongside that, a powerful motor will also allow you to sand metals, plastic, and other materials easily.
What you should consider in this case is the overall ampere. The higher the ampere rating, the powerful it will be.
Variable Speed
Alongside the power of the motor, you should also consider the variable speed mechanism of the units. Even though most of the devices will come with a single-speed setting, but the ones that will come with a variable speed mechanism will be the most versatile.
With a variable speed device, you will be able to work on delicate surfaces without having to worry about shaving off too much from the surface. Those will also make it easier for you to work on the edges. That is why we would recommend you to opt for the ones that come with a variable speed mechanism.
Body
The body of the device has a vital role in the overall operation. If the unit does not sport a compact and lightweight body, you will not be able to maneuver it easily on the tight spaces and tight corners.
Alongside that, a lightweight footprint will also make it easier for you to carry out a prolonged sanding session. For that reason, you should put the overall dimensions of the body into your consideration.
Design
The overall design of the body will dictate how comfortable it will be for you to carry out the sanding tasks with them. With a unit that features an ergonomic body, you will be able to able to finish an extended session comfortably.
Other than an ergonomic body, you should also consider whether the unit comes with a counterbalanced design or not. If it does not feature that, you might have to face hand fatigue while carrying out prolonged sessions. Those will also vibrate more on the surface, which will degrade the overall control.
Dust Collector
To keep the overall workspace clean and to eliminate the hassle of manually removing the sawdust off your table, you should opt for a unit that comes with an efficient dust collector. Those will be able to collect the dust that gets loosened up while smoothening the surface and transfer them to a dust port.
Alongside that, you should also opt for a unit that comes with a sizeable dust bag or dust box. With those, you will be able to finish an extended session without having to empty out the container frequently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best palm sander to buy that is cordless?
If you plan to get one of the cordless sanders, then we think you should consider the Ryobi P440 One+ that we included in our review section. It is battery powered and does not have any compromise in other factors.
2. Are random orbital sanders any different than palm sanders?
Random orbital sanders can also be referred to as a palm sander because of the compact footprint that it features. The only difference that lies in between the orbital sander and a sheet sander is the motion of the motor.
For sheet sanders, it moves the sander sheet in orbital motion, and on the other hand, random orbital sander moves in an elliptical pattern.
3. What is the difference between the sanding paper grits?
The sanding papers are at different grit levels because they are for different surfaces and for various finishing tasks. For example, the 220 grits are ideal for light sanding while the 150 and 120 are for removing the scratches from the surfaces. Some grits are under 100 level, which is for rough surfaces.
4. What are palm sanders used for?
Palm sanders are one of the smallest electric sanders that are out there. This compact footprint makes it easier to do sanding operations using one hand. They are mostly used for finishing surfaces of the wood, and the powerful ones can also be used for shaping the surfaces of plastics and metals.
5. What does OPM stand for?
The abbreviation of OPM is Orbits Per Minute. It dictates how fast the surface of the sander will vibrate. The faster it will vibrate, the quicker it will sand the surface of the wood.
6. Can I use a palm sander to polish the surface of my car?
Yes, you will be able to use these units for polishing the metal surfaces. But you will have to get the sandpaper with appropriate grit level to polish metals.
7. What sandpaper should I use for polishing rough woods?
The one that you should for polishing and sanding rough surfaces is the 80 grit sandpaper. Those will offer you optimal sanding results.
Final Words
We hope that we were able to narrow down the overall options to a certain extent that it is now easier for you to choose one of the best palm sanders for your sanding task. With that, we would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck and hoping that all your projects have a smooth surface and contoured edges.
However, as a woodworker, you may also interested to read about other types of sanders. For you, we also covered this article on the best dual action sanders. And to know about detail sanders, reading this post might help you a lot.