Best Bench Sander
Featured Image: Popular Mechanics

In case you are a DIY enthusiast, hobbyist, or woodworker, you likely need to sand wood from time to time. The often monotonous and messy process becomes easier and faster when you utilize an electric bench sander.

Unlike portable sanders, like a random orbit sander or belt sander, bench sanders are fixed sanding machines you can park on a workbench or even on sawhorses. In general, bench sanders are a lot better and have better sanding capacity than lightweight sanders, though the true benefit is that you can use both hands to manage the workpiece. If you’re looking to buy one and not sure what best fits your needs, check our reviews!

1.
WEN 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base
  • Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc
  • Adjustable belt tilts anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees
  • Sturdy cast iron base prevents any heavy vibrations
  • 4.3A motor provides up to 3600 RPM
  • Tension release lever provides for simple changes between sandpaper grits
2.
sale
POWERTEC BD4600 Belt Disc Sander For Woodworking | 4 In. x 36 in. Belt Sander with 6 In. Sanding Disc
  • Includes: heavy duty belt and disc sander combination flaunts a 4”x36” sanding belt, 6” sanding disc, A belt with 0° -90° tilt including a work support, a disc work table with 0° - 45° tilt, a heavy duty miter gauge, and a dust port
  • Features: a 6-1/2 x 8-3/4 inch cast aluminum table that provides exceptional work support and tilts up to 45 degrees, precision tracking system, a safety key switch, and a quick release belt change; sturdy cast iron base and mounting hole prevent wobbling and walking
  • 2-1 design: sanding machine is equipped with both, an abrasive Belt and disc Combo, large enough and perfectly sized to handle an assortment of sanding and woodworking applications
  • Power: enhanced with a quiet but powerful 120V, 60 Hz, 1/2 HP (peak), 4. 3 amp induction motor delivers 1900 FPM For the belt and 3600 RPM for disc speed
  • Dust pickup: This belt and disc sander Combo includes one 2-1/4” dust port which provides a tidy and effective dust collection
3.
Grizzly Industrial G0529-1 HP Oscillating Spindle/12" Disc Sander
  • Motor: 1HP, 110V, single-phase
  • Cast Iron 14-1/2" x 14-1/2" oscillating sander table tilts to 45�
  • Cast iron 17-3/4" x 10" disc sander table tilts to 45�
  • Spindle sizes: 1/4", 5/8", 1-1/2" & 2"
  • Overall height: 47"
4.
sale
WEN 6524 Oscillating Belt and Spindle Sander
  • Features 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch and 2 inch sanding drum sizes and one 4 x 24 inch belt
  • Operate with belt speeds up to 1575 FPM and spindle speeds up to 2000 RPM
  • The 3.5-amp motor oscillates the belt and spindle 58 times per minute with a 5/8-inch stroke
  • Onboard storage maintains organization of all accessories and sandpapers
  • Includes a beveling work table, five throat plates, four rubber sanding drums, one belt sanding attachment and six pieces of 80-grit sandpaper (one for each size spindle/belt)
5.
JET 1" x 42" Belt and 8" Disc Sander, 1/3 HP, 1Ph 115V (J-4002)
  • Abrasive belt removes material and finishes at the same time, allowing the operator to get into small openings, plus handle odd shapes and angles
  • Adjustable dust deflector and dust chute
  • Cast iron construction
  • Deluxe miter gauge turns and locks for common angles, 45 degrees both left and right
  • Heavy-duty steel base and rubber feet
6.
POWERTEC BD1030 1-Inch by 30-Inch Belt Sander
  • Powerful 1/3HP Induction motor for optimum sanding outcome
  • Adjustable belt tracking ensures true alignment
  • Removable back plate facilitate sanding on curved or irregularly shaped work
  • 0 Degree - 45 Degree tilting table for precise angle sanding
  • Rubber feet absorb vibrations for stability
7.
Shop Fox W1831 1/2 HP Single Phase Oscillating Spindle Sander
  • 1/2 Horsepower Permanent Magnet Motor, 120-Volt, Single Phase, CSA Certified
  • Table Size: 11-1/2-Inch W x 15-Inch L x 1-5/16 H
  • Sanding Drum Diameter: 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2" and 3"; Sanding Drum Length 4-1/2-Inch
  • Sanding Sleeves: 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2" and 3" (1/2" sleeve fits directly on the spindle)
  • Weighs 30-Pound

What Is A Bench Sander?

Sanders are applications that rub abrasives against a substance to eliminate burrs, finishing products, paint, or perhaps just parts of the material itself. These are available in various sizes & shapes. You can have a simple handheld or a big industrial-sized power machine. A table sander is a fixed sander mounted on a stand or a table. To work with a bench sander, a person presses the material on the moving sandpaper.

The material and the product’s size to be sanded drive the kind of bench sander to utilize. A belt sander works rapidly on bigger pieces of material, so it’s commonly utilized at the start of a refinishing task. It’s extremely efficient in removing heavy coats of varnish or paint. By utilizing steadily finer sandpaper, the belt can achieve a sleek & smooth surface.

Types Of Bench Sander

Belt sanders make use of a revolving loop of sandpaper that moves in just one path. Some are tiny enough to mount on a house workbench, while some other devices are big enough to sand entire plywood sheets. Belt sanders are suitable for both metal and wood products.

Disc sanders feature a rotating wheel that spins circular bits of sandpaper. They’re often used for wood, although they can also be used on plastic or aluminum. These may be powered pneumatically or electrically with compressed air. While belt & disc sanders can be bought as single machines, many belt bench sanders are built with both the belt and disc.

An oscillating bench sander possesses a spindle mounted on the table. Sandpaper is connected to the spindle, which spins while moving up & down against the material. This is a great tool that can be used in furniture and woodworking stores. The oscillating sander can straighten lines, smooth curved edges and finish the exterior edges of furniture. The movement on the disc dissipates friction heat and also allows protecting against scorch marks on the wood.

Drum sanders use a big spinning drum covered in a sandpaper loop. The most popular example is a flooring sander. While many drum sanders aren’t fixed, they are also offered as a bench sander. These are employed in manufacturing shops, mainly for metal products.

Making The Most Out Of Bench Sanders

You will find an assortment of sandpaper choices to utilize together with the bench sander. They’re classified by the kind of backing, the grit, and the type of material used. Backings can be paper or cloth and come in various weights. Abrasives are picked to suit the material that is sanded and the kind of surface which is required. Grit refers to the dimensions of the aggressive particles.

A bench sander can make a lot of debris and typically comes equipped with a dust trapping device, like a bag. Many of these devices don’t get all the particles, therefore it’s essential to use a mask & eye protection when working with the tool. It’s also an excellent security precaution to not use loose clothes or jewelry when using a bench sander.

A sander must be washed after every use to avoid the particles from getting into the motor. It’s also vital that you keep your hands away from the disc, drum, moving belt, or spindle. Sandpaper must be monitored regularly and changed as required to guarantee a perfect finish.

Conclusion:

As mentioned earlier, the WEN 6502 Sander stands out due to the 2-in-1 element of getting both the disc sander & the belt sander. The belt sanders could be utilized for the right sanding technique for sanding coarse, primitive wood, or various other materials, while the disc sander may be utilized for finer sanding, polishing, or paint removal.

We pick this model because of its versatility and features. You can easily adjust the belt as the job requires. In addition to that, it actually has safety gear so unwanted components, like your hands, won’t be caught in the sanders. Furthermore, it has a robust and sturdy cast iron base that keeps the entire machine stable and cancels out the majority of the vibrations to get a smoother sanding experience.

The cast iron base avoids walking & wobbling, ensuring the sander remains in one place while sanding. This will make the device much more efficient, eliminating the demand for readjusting the whole machine frequently. As the device stands its ground, sanding wood can feel like a breeze.

As observed in WEN 6502 Sander assessment, the WEN 6502 Sander has a couple of bad points, mild though, which wouldn’t hamper your sanding activities. A flexible sander with options, from beveling tables and miter gauges to a prolonged belt guard for additional security, this particular sander has a lot to offer.

To view our Amazon Associates Disclaimer, please click here.