Best Sander For Refinishing Furniture

Best Sander For Refinishing Furniture – Guide and Reviews

Every good DIY-er knows the value of a good, reliable power sander. There are so many different types of jobs that all require sanding at some point, that if you’re handy, or at least want to be, you already know that owning a sander isn’t just a good idea; it’s practically a prerequisite. Of course, different types of jobs need different types of sanders, so depending on what you’re trying to tackle next, you might not know what type of sander you’re looking for. We say that to say this: it’s important to make sure you always have the right sander for the job. This is true whether you’re taking paint off of a house or building a deck. And no two sanders are really alike.

It’s especially true if you’re in the process of refinishing furniture. This is a tricky sort of job that requires a sander that can handle many different tasks. Sometimes you need power, other times you need finesse. But, can you get one sander that helps you with all of that? Thankfully, we’ve put together a guide that can help answer that question. Read on, because today we’re going to try and help you find the best sander for refinishing furniture.

5 Best Sander For Refinishing Furniture

Picture

Name

Price

DEWALT D26451K Random Orbital Sander DEWALT D26451K Check Price
PORTER-CABLE 362V 4-Inch by 24-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander PORTER-CABLE 362V Check Price
Black & Decker MS800B Mouse Detail Sander With Dust Collection Black & Decker MS800B Check Price
Ryobi ZRCFS1503GK 1.2 Amp Corner Cat Finish Sander Ryobi ZRCFS1503GK Check Price
PORTER-CABLE 330 Speed-Bloc 1.2 Amp 14 Sheet Sander PORTER-CABLE 330 Check Price

Top 5 Best Sander For Refinishing Furniture Reviews

1. DEWALT D26451K Corded 3 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

DEWALT D26451K Random Orbital Sander

Editor Rating:

The Dewalt D26451K is a random orbit sampler that’s designed to provide a smooth finish on a variety of surfaces. It’s 3-amp motor powers a 12,000 opm sanding surface, which is the ideal speed for removing a maximum amount of material while preventing unsightly swirls or blemishes. Adding to the clean finish, the controlled finishing system helps to prevent gouging at startup, so the final surface is consistently clean. This sander also features an anti-slip top with comfort grip to give you control while keeping your hands fresh and unfatigued.

As far as cleanup goes, the D26451K has the one-two punch to take care of dust. The included dust bag collects most dust right off the surface, so it never has the chance to escape into the air. For longer jobs, the built-in vacuum attachment can attach directly onto most vacuum hoses, so dust is sucked away.

For ease of transport and storage, this sander also comes with a convenient carrying case.

PROS

  • 3-amp motor which runs at 12,000 opm
  • Provides a smooth finish
  • ​Anti-slip top for comfort and control
  • ​Dust bag and in-built vacuum adapter helps prevent mess or dust
  • Controlled Finishing System prevents gouging
  • ​Comes with a 3-year limited warranty

CONS

  • Dust collector may tear over time
  • Dust collector great for small jobs, but small capacity makes it impractical for larger jobs
  • On/off switch is known to be tricky

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2. PORTER-CABLE 362V 4-Inch by 24-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander

PORTER-CABLE 362V 4-Inch by 24-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander

Editor Rating:

If you’re looking for sheer power, look no farther than the Porter-Cable 362V. Belt sanders are known for their ability to chew up and make short work of any surface, and the 362V is no exception. With a 100-grit belt included, and the ability to crank it up to 11 (which, in this case, means 1,500 sfpm — that’s surface feet per minute, by the way) this belt sander can handle anything you put in its way.

So, if you’re looking at a lot of sanding to do, this might be the one to check out first.

On top of the belt is a conveniently-placed motor, centered for balance and control. You’ll also find a dust bag that collects dust and stops it from polluting the air. Lest the dust bag gets in the way of seeing what you’re doing, its 360-degrees rotation swivel ability lets you move it to just about any position.

PROS

  • 12 amp motor for industrial, professional power
  • ​Conveniently-placed speed dial for control
  • ​Drive adjusts for speeds from 1,000 to 1,500 sfpm (surface feet per minute).
  • ​Comes with 100G belt and dust bag assembly
  • Adjustable, dust bag collects dust and swivels to stay out of the way
  • Ergonomically designed handle for all-day comfort
  • Ergonomically designed handle for all-day comfort
  • Three-year warranty included

CONS

  • Belt sanders are great for power, not so much for finesse and details
  • Dust bag can get in the way
  • In addition, the placement of the dust bag attachment means a poorly attached bag can spray dust directly at your face.

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3. Black & Decker MS800B Mouse Detail Sander With Dust Collection

Black & Decker MS800B Mouse Detail Sander With Dust Collection

Editor Rating:

On the other side of the spectrum from the belt sanders comes the B & D MS800B. While belt sanders are built for power and speed, the Mouse Detail Sander is all about finesse. While this sander might not be great for larger jobs or rough surfaces, its multitude of sanding attachments and contour accessories are specifically designed for detailed work.

Whether it’s sanding corners, getting into small, hard-to-reach areas, or handling curves and other odd shapes, the MS800B has the attachments you need to turn those areas into a scrubbed and polished surface ready for the next step.

The soft-body grip lets you keep your grip without getting tired, and the attached dust collection system traps dust until you’re ready to dispose of it. All of this makes the Mouse Sander a great finishing tool for your furniture.

PROS

  • This sander is designed specifically for detail work
  • ​Handles fine sanding, scrubbing, and polishing work
  • Small attachments allow you to reach into small areas
  • ​Great for sanding into corners
  • ​Dust collection for easy cleanup
  • Comes with 11 sanding attachments as well as 2 countout accessories for corners and curves.

CONS

  • Plastic pins attached to sanding base can be unreliable and weak
  • Great for finesse, but not designed for large jobs

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4. Ryobi ZRCFS1503GK 1.2 Amp Corner Cat Finish Sander

Ryobi ZRCFS1503GK 1.2 Amp Corner Cat Finish Sander

Editor Rating:

The Ryobi Corner Cat comes with a corner design similar to the Black & Decker Mouse, but as the name implies, the Cat is alike a bigger, meaner version. While it also has the specially-shaped corner design that allows it to reach into tight spaces and corners, the powerful 1.2 amp motor pushes the sanding pad at a lightning-fast 12,000 opm to delivery a strong, swirl-free finish.

The Cat comes with several special accessories, including four different sanding pads of varying grits to tackle different types of finishes, as well as three different scrubbing pads and a polishing pad for post-sanding applications. The hook-and-loop sanding makes pad replacement a cinch. As with most Ryobi products, a carrying case is included for ease of storage, and a three-year warranty makes sure that any problems will be quickly dealt with.

PROS

  • Comes with sanders, carrying case, four sanding pads, three scrubbing pads, and a polishing pad
  • ​Powerful, fast 12,000 opm sander
  • ​1.2 amp motor
  • ​Can handle surface applications as well as corners and other detail-specific areas
  • Dust-protected switch for longer life
  • Dust collection bag for easier cleanup
  • Three-year warranty

CONS

  • Dust collection system great for small jobs, but fills to capacity quickly
  • Taller design makes it hard to fit into small, tight areas

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5. PORTER-CABLE 330 Speed-Bloc 1.2 Amp 1/4 Sheet Sander

PORTER-CABLE 330 Speed-Bloc 1.2 Amp 14 Sheet Sander

Editor Rating:

We end this list with another strong, powerful sander. The Porter-Cable 330 is a model with decades of reputation behind it, and that reputation is genuinely earned. This sander is known for its durability and strength. The 1.2 amp motor pushes the sanding pad at an incredible 14,000 opm to chew through a lot of wood in a short amount of time.

The ergonomically designed handle gives you comfort to grip, and the minimal vibrations let you hang on for longer periods of time without fatigue. The square design allows you to fit smugly into most corners, as well.

PROS

  • 1.2 amp for powerful performance
  • 14,000 opm sands a lot of area in a quick amount of time
  • ​Ergonomically designed for comfort while gripping
  • ​Solid metal frame for durability
  • ​Designed for minimum vibration and fatigue-free operation
  • Square design makes it easy to cut pads to fit

CONS

  • Cannot fit into corners less than 90 degrees
  • ​No dust collection system or bag in place
  • No carrying bag
  • Does not come with extra accessories

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Now that you’ve seen some of the best sanders for refinishing furniture, which one should you go with? This can be a difficult question. If you’re looking for sheer power, the Porter-Cable 362V belt sander is the one to beat. If your project requires finesse and attention to detail, the Black & Decker is by far the best bet. However, if you’re looking for a good all-around power sander that checks all the boxes, our money is on the Dewalt D26451K. While it might not be able to hit every corner, its combination of power, control, finesse, and ability to keep your working area dust-free is what gives the Dewalt D26451K the edge on this particular list.

Things to Consider Before Choosing A Sander For Refinishing Furniture

But first, there are several factors to consider when looking for a sander. Of course, some of it depends on the job at hand. But even then, there are some general things that need to be looked at before buying a power sander:

Power

Of course, any power sander needs to be able to dig in and get the job done, and this situation is no exception. When refinishing furniture, whether it’s a chair, bed, chest, cabinet, or whatever, there’s a lot of square footage to cover, and the last thing you want is a sander that can’t cut it. If it’s going so slow that you might as well be doing it by hand, then what’s the point? So, one of the first things to look for in your sander is how powerful it is. This can be found in measurements like amp and voltage, but also in speed of rotation or movement. Numbers like this should be able to tell you how quickly (or slowly) a sander can eat up what you put you in front of it.

Adaptability

Power is great, but if you can’t control it, what good is it? That’s why you also need a sander that puts you in control. This can mean several things. Can you adjust the speed for various jobs and various surfaces? If all you need is a light touch, then anything stronger than that isn’t helpful at all. Can you easily replace parts, swap paper easily, and adjust the things you need to in order to get ready for the job? If your sander is only good for one type of job, then you really aren’t getting the help you need out of your toolbox.

Finesse

Speaking of power, does your sander give you the power to handle the smallest details? This is where finesse comes into play. When dealing with furniture, you’re going to have small areas, corners, hard-to-reach bits, and other sections that require a sander that can do more than just grind down a flat surface. Does your sander give you the ability to handle these small details? If not, then once again you’ve bought the wrong tool for the job.

Convenience

A fourth factor to consider is convenience. This is harder to measure, but you’ll know it when you see it. Things like clean-up become important here. If your sander is as fast as possible, but leaves a mess so large it takes the rest of the day to clean, then how is that helping you? Is it easy and convenient to carry from place to place? How about storing it — does it come with its own storage? While these factors might not directly affect the sander’s ability to do the job, they will affect how easy it makes your life before, during, and after the job.

Final Results

Imagine getting a sander that checks off all the boxes: it’s powerful and can make short work of any surface you need it to. It also has the control and finesse you need to handle small jobs, minor details, corners, and other tricky surfaces. Cleanup is a snap, and it’s easy and convenient to transport and carry. Sounds great, right? But, what if that same sander also leaves behind an unattractive finish full of swirls, digs, and other blemishes? Whatever sander you get, nothing beats the final result.

About the Author Darrell Webster

I believe there is a handyman in all of us as long as you have the right tools. I started this blog to help anyone who is interested in fixing things to learn their way around the different tools and to know how to perform different DIY tasks. I have been doing this for years and believe I am a master of this art.

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