What is better a belt or vibrating grinder

What is better to sand wood: with an angle grinder or grinder, tips

Grinding a wooden log house not only gives the logs an external gloss, but also increases the service life. Experts always advise to perform the procedure in houses and baths made of logs to give the wood additional protection. To perform the task, use a grinder or angle grinder with different attachments for such work.

Angle grinder (angle grinder). a multifunctional device, which is also used in the situation under consideration. Special discs are used for this purpose. Petal circles are made of sandpaper, which is attached to a flat surface. In this case, the circle can be of different diameters, with different indices of grit. When choosing, the following recommendations can be highlighted:

  • To remove the paint you should take a coarse-grained wheel;
  • If you need to remove a thin layer of wood, you can take the abrasive, which has a medium grit;
  • to give the wood a special smoothness, a fine abrasive can be used.

However, it should be noted that the removal of the surface will not be carried out along the fibers. In this case, it is almost impossible to regulate the speed of rotation, feeding. Angle grinder can be used when there is no need for a high performance index.

In order to sand the wood, you can use special equipment, which is called a flat sanding machine. To the peculiarities of this include:

  • The wood is scraped by the reciprocating motion of the abrasive material.
  • The emery paper moves at high speed, which allows a good result.
  • Unlike other methods, in this case, the sander carries out processing along the fibers, which determines the high quality of the product.

The design is quite simple, allows you to achieve good quality. But when changing large surfaces grinder has low efficiency. Certain models have a fairly large surface to which the sandpaper is attached, but it is quite difficult to provide the necessary force in this case.

Belt-type grinder

Belt sanding machine is the most productive tool that can be used for processing wood with high productivity. The jet method also has a high capacity.

DeWalt belt sander

The operation of the design takes place by means of a circular sanding belt, which can have different degrees of grit. The design conducts the removal of material along the fibers. However, do not forget that it is impossible to grind corners with this design. Apply the belt can be used for a large amount of work: floor, walls, furniture and so on.

Despite the great automation of the work, it is possible to provide mechanical impact by hand. This is due to the fact that it is possible to carry out the removal of fibers in the desired direction. It is also possible to carry out processing of corners. However, in order to achieve the desired result, you need to have certain skills. The work is very difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, the manual tool is very popular only in certain cases.

Pros and cons of tools for sanding wood

Wood processing is carried out with a variety of abrasive devices. They leave marks when working with them. Each of them has its own characteristics. This must be taken into account when selecting a grinder. Among the most popular grinders I would like to highlight the following:

angle grinder

Angle grinder is a multifunctional device. The design of the tool is equipped with circles of different diameters with an abrasive surface.

When selecting a wheel, it is advisable to consider the criteria on which the quality of machining depends. For example, the purpose for which processing is carried out:

  • removing a paint layer. a wheel with a coarse grit is suitable;
  • Removing the top layer of a small thickness. it is recommended to use an abrasive wheel with medium grit;
  • smoothing the wood. a fine grit wheel is suitable.

Working with an angle grinder must take into account the fact that the processing is carried out across the fiber with different speed of the abrasive wheel.

Drill

Using the drill for sanding is possible with the accessories of different materials. When working, the tool must be positioned at a certain angle. Otherwise burrs and scratches cannot be avoided.

Working with a drill, you can use the manual sanding method, which makes it possible to process wood in hard-to-reach places. The possibility of using a fixed method of work is not excluded. A high grinding quality is guaranteed, but tool mobility is limited.

Belt sander

One of the most effective devices for woodworking is considered a belt-type sander. The design of the equipment is equipped with a sanding belt with varying degrees of grit.

The work is carried out according to the arrangement of wood fibers. It should be noted that for grinding the corners of the workpiece angular grinding belt grinder is not suitable. The machine is effective when used on floors, walls or furniture of large dimensions.

Vibrating grinder

This type of equipment is used for polishing. Achieve good results with a vibratory sander can also be in the removal of the paint layer.

The working process is carried out by means of sheets or circles with an abrasive surface. Clips or Velcro may be used to attach them to the soleplate.

Orbital sander

The design of the orbital sander is equipped with a round soleplate, on which the abrasive disk or paper of varying degrees of grit is attached.

Grinding is performed as a result of VP movements of the base plate of the machine. The movement is in a spiral pattern.

Orbital (eccentric) grinders

Design features. Orbital or eccentric models are rightfully considered the most universal machines for sanding and polishing wood. The grinding wheel is fastened to the cylindrical grinding disk with a Velcro fastener, which moves in a helical pattern in the direction of the grinding wheel. Grinding by-products are drained off via dust extraction channels, so that the surface remains clean, the work is well controlled, and the abrasive performance is high and durable.

When mounting the grinding wheel, ensure that the holes on the abrasive are aligned with the holes on the base of the machine. Otherwise the dust removal process will be disrupted.

Principle of operation. Grinding and polishing is performed by a combination of eccentric (orbital rotation) and rotational (axial rotation) movements of the soleplate. The movement of the abrasive along this complex orbit leads to a more efficient sanding process and reduces the number of abrasive flaws in the form of drums.

The eccentricity of orbital machines is on average 3 to 8 mm.

Eccentricity. coefficient of misalignment of sole axis with shaft axis. This is one of the basic characteristics of grinders. It determines the nature of the abrasive movement, and thus the grinding quality.

Application area. Rough and finish grinding of large surfaces; intercoat finishing, polishing. It is a universal type of tool and is suitable for both industrial and domestic use.

Advantages. Grinds large surfaces lengthways and across fibres; best surface quality; reduces the risk of grinding errors (burrs, countersinks, pits); minimal noise and vibration (quietest in its class).

Disadvantages. Unsuitable for sanding inside corners. Ineffective on curved surfaces and narrow edges.

Reviews of the best orbital grinders for woodworking

The machine is perfectly balanced and feels good in the hand. Rubberized casing adds tenacity to the grip and absorbs vibration. Very comfortable to grind with one hand. You catch yourself in the thought that there is no desire to change hands for long and monotonous work. Quiet and lightweight. Excellent dust extraction system: the waste goes completely into the standard dust bag with microfilter, where it is compacted and easily extracted; but for prolonged work it is better to connect it to a vacuum cleaner. No RPM control, although it wouldn’t be a problem considering its omnivorous nature (wood, metal, putty, lacquered surfaces).

Very compact eccentric sander. Surprising ratio of weight (1.3 kg) and power (240 W), and you honestly get the declared watts at the output. The tool is very handy to work with one hand, and it is not just the weight. The rubber coated mushroom-shaped handle provides a good grip and effectively damps vibrations. The lowered center of gravity adds a great deal of convenience. The not very convenient positioning of the power button seems to be very strange, taking into account the well thought-out ergonomics. Also raises questions about the lack of possibility to connect a vacuum cleaner; probably this was done for the sake of maneuverability, to make the machine easy to work with one hand and get to hard to reach places, such as sanding furniture. The cord is pretty tough.

Nozzles can be changed quickly thanks to the Velcro strip. The Metabo FSX 200 has eight holes. It sanded mainly furniture, no complaints about the dust extraction. We cannot say that the machine is completely silent, but the noise level does not tire even during long hours of operation. Comes with a thick plastic case with smart compartments.

Powerful and inexpensive grinder. The manufacturer declares 550 W and 13000 rpm at maximum. According to subjective perceptions the real output values are much more modest. But considering the price, and it is not bad for those who are looking for an inexpensive and powerful tool for a large amount of work, such as sanding floors, wooden walls, stairs, etc. д.

The machine is designed to work with two hands. Several grip options are available. The rubberized handle does not save you completely. the vibration in your hands is rather palpable, so it is better to wear gloves. Speed regulator: it looks flimsy, but in fact it is durable. It is possible to connect a vacuum cleaner and it is better to work with it, especially at maximum speed. Has a lock start button. very convenient for sanding large areas.

The Sturm OS8155R is a cheap and powerful sander for unpretentious jobs. At different speeds, all the characteristics are manifested differently: at maximum speeds, the claims to the tool are much more than at low speeds.

This model got into our small review because of its cheapness, productivity and omnivorousness. Professionals will surely find many things to criticize in it, but for the household needs it is not a bad option. The power of the orbiter is 450 watts. Subjective experience overestimated the claimed performance, but not by much. There is an adjustment of the speed, the start button holder, the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner. Two-handed grip. It is difficult to work with one hand, because the machine vibrates strongly enough and can start bouncing (all depends on the speed). It is better not to pin too much hopes on the standard dust canister: up to a third of the waste is past the bag. But with the vacuum cleaner all is excellent. The noise level is very satisfying, as for a cheap typewriter. the soleplate is a little bit rigid.

Vibrating (surface grinding) machines

Features of design. The working part of this type of machines is a rectangular soleplate. sanding paper is attached by means of clamping mechanisms on the edge of the sole, or fixed with Velcro; a combination is also possible. The working base has openings for the removal of byproducts into the dust collector.

Operating principle. Grinding and polishing are accomplished by fine motions of the base plate in a circular orbit. Eccentricity varies between 2 and 4 mm.

Area of application. Fine grinding and polishing of large flat surfaces.

Advantages. The main advantage of this type of machines is the ability to handle blind inner corners.

Disadvantages. Less performance than eccentric counterparts. Insufficient dust extraction or abrasive debris under the sole plate increases the risk of muffling. Vibrating models are noisier.

What grinder to choose for your home?

Don’t need the most powerful model for home use, as you are unlikely to sand large areas. However, it is still necessary to choose responsibly, paying attention to the additional functions and safety systems.

Belt sander for home

You can choose a machine with no more than 1 kW. This is sufficient for even complex tasks. over, such figures already include the “reserve” required to ensure that the tool does not work to wear and tear. The maximum belt speed can be up to 260 m/min. It is very good if the machine has a speed regulator, which will allow you to choose the right mode for processing different materials.

Vibratory sander for the home

Vibratory sander for home enough 300 watts to cover all the needs in the processing of wood. This is powerful enough for the tool to deliver up to 26,000 vibrations per minute. Note the power regulator. Also of importance is the type of attachment of the consumable to the soleplate. Alligator clips take a little longer to change sandpaper, but wear out slower than Velcro.

Eccentric sander for the home

For household use, power of 500 W and rotation speed of 13,000 rpm will suffice. To obtain quality results, choose a model with a suitable frequency of vibration (a good indicator. up to 26 000) and rotation (up to 13 000), which can be adjusted.

Frequently asked questions about sanding tools

What is the difference between an angle grinder and a grinder?

Angle grinder (angle grinder) is designed to cut and grind materials, including wood, metal concrete. The grinding tool (belt, vibrating, eccentric) is needed to conduct a delicate grinding of surfaces and eliminate the smallest irregularities. In contrast to the saw (cut-off) discs or bowls, which are needed for grinders, the grinder uses sanding discs made of sandpaper or polishing. made of felt and wool.

What are vibratory sanders for??

Vibrating machines are needed for processing flat surfaces, eliminating irregularities and roughness. Their rectangular or deltoid shape allows you to process corners and places that can not get the round sole.

What to grease the gearbox of the grinder?

When buying a tool of a certain brand, specify what kind of grease is recommended by the manufacturer. In any case, it is better to use branded oils than experiment with lubricants on your own.

What grinders are better??

This question cannot be answered unambiguously. It all depends on the intended use of the tool and the conditions of use. For fast processing of large areas it is better to choose a belt sander, and for sanding hard-to-reach places. a vibrating tool.

Frequently Asked Questions about Grinding Tools

What is the difference between an angle grinder and a grinder?

Angle grinder (angle grinder) is designed to cut and grind materials including wood, metal concrete. The grinding tool (belt, vibratory, eccentric) is needed to conduct a delicate grinding of surfaces and eliminate the smallest irregularities. Unlike saw (cut-off) discs or bowls, which are needed for bolsters, sanding tools use sanding discs made of sandpaper or polishing. made of felt and wool.

Why do we need vibrating grinders??

Vibratory machines are needed for finishing flat surfaces, removing unevenness and roughness. Their rectangular or deltoid shape allows you to work in corners and places that can not be reached with a round soleplate.

What to grease the gearbox of the grinder?

When purchasing a particular brand of tool, check what lubricant the manufacturer recommends for it. In any case, it is better to use branded oils than to experiment with lubricants yourself.

What is the best grinder??

There is no clear answer to this question. It all depends on the purpose of the tool and the conditions of use. For fast processing of a large area it is better to choose a belt sander, and for sanding hard-to-reach places. a vibrating tool.

They differ from each other by the fact that household tools can be operated for a short time. Usually not more than 3 hours, making intervals of 15 minutes. Professional tools do not require breaks and can work for 8-12 hours. That is their service life is many times longer. Because they are manufactured using high quality and therefore more expensive parts and assemblies.

It should be noted that some manufacturers today offer a kind of intermediate variant, which is called semi-professional. At the same time, let us add that some brands of household tools are not inferior to semi-professional tools by their characteristics. So it is not worth overpaying.

So, now it is clear that there is a fairly wide range of models of grinders, and you have to choose among them. But there are so-called general parameters, which all take into account when making a choice. At what should pay attention, deciding the problem. what to choose a wood grinder:

  • Power. The most low-powered are 120 W machines. The most powerful. 1.2 kW. But here it is necessary to point out that this characteristic also depends on the type of tool. For example, a belt sander is considered the most powerful, because it is more difficult to work with it, you have to pull the belt behind you. The power will also depend on whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the machine. Hence the conclusion: only grinders of the same type can be compared by this parameter.
  • Weight. On the one hand, a heavy tool is difficult to work with, but on the other, it is more stable in terms of vibration and displacement. As experience shows, the heavy tool is easier to control. Lightweight units are better to use if you want to work on vertical surfaces.
  • Possibility to regulate motor speed. Not all machines have such a function, but it greatly facilitates the work. The thing is that at high speeds the tool itself starts to shake in your hands, which reduces the quality of the final result. Therefore, changing the speed of rotation makes it possible to choose the correct and convenient mode of operation.
  • Soft start. also one of the important functions, which is characterized by the fact that the speed of the motor, and therefore the working body, gain gradually. This affects the quality of the operation, plus. increases the service life of the tool.
  • Speaking of the correct operation of the grinder, it is necessary to add the presence of a pipe, which is connected to the vacuum cleaner. Today, almost all wood grinders are equipped with bags or containers for dust collection. One problem with them is that they fill up quickly, which means that they either have to be cleaned or replaced with new ones. It’s easier to connect to a vacuum cleaner.
  • Automation in the form of a protection unit from overheating of the motor. A good option that has saved more than one power tool.
  • Power cord length. Here the position is the same. the longer the better.
  • Rubber pads on the handles.

Those were the general criteria for choosing. Let us go over each model individually.

Let’s start with the belt machine. What you need to pay attention to when choosing it:

  • Length and width of the power tool, the larger the two measurements, the better the performance of the power tool. In addition, the longer the belt lasts longer. As for the width, it ranges from 6-100 mm. The narrow ones are good for small parts, the wide ones for large surfaces.
  • Power rating: 500 to 1200 watts. The larger this characteristic, the higher the productivity of the power tool, its endurance, as well as the longer working time.
  • There is a holding mechanism in the construction of a belt sander. Its task is to center the belt. It can be manual or automatic. The second type is preferable.
  • There are models with one handle and with two handles. The second option is better, because the tool is heavy and it is difficult to hold it with one hand. Especially on vertical, inclined surfaces, or when sanding ceilings.
  • Adjustment of belt speed. The higher the speed, the better the performance, but the rougher the finish. Particular attention to the type of wood. The stiffer and harder it is, the higher the speed should be. That is why this option is so important.

Grinding and polishing are important steps in the processing of various surfaces of workpieces made of wood, metal, plastic and other materials. The end result is a smooth, flat, clean surface with minimal roughness. An indispensable tool in these operations is the grinder. Grinding. the process is time consuming, monotonous, unpleasant. Today’s finishing work in renovation and construction has very high standards. Painfully familiar to craftsmen sandpaper, mounted on a wooden bar, are gradually replaced by grinding machines. These days, the market offers a wide range of modern sanding machines suitable for a wide variety of tasks. Including for home use. KP has prepared the top 10 best grinders available on the market in 2022.

Top 10 ranking by KP

Metabo WEV 10-125 Quick (from 7978)

Metabo WEV 10-125 Quick belongs to the type of angle grinders (angle grinders), commonly referred to as angle grinders. The name of this type of machines was born in the USSR because of the place of production. Bulgaria. Equipped with 125 mm cutting discs. Suitable for grinding and cutting of metals, stone (concrete) and softer materials. The new powerful motor, with a power consumption of 1000 watts, provides a high torque, designed for active use both in the home and for professional tasks. This grinder has a number of definite positive elements: automatic safety clutch, full-wave electronics with adjustment wheel, electronic overload protection, SDS quick-action nut, soft start and protection against accidental restart. Carbon brushes are automatically deactivated, which prolongs the tool’s working life. The grinder is ergonomic. the center of gravity is well-matched. The housing has a non-slip coating. Maximum speed. 10500 rpm.

Makita 3711

The Makita 3711 is justifiably popular with professionals, thanks to its effective dust extraction from the work area and its electronic oscillation frequency control. It is difficult for an amateur to appreciate the Makita 3711’s potential. After all, after the processing of not disassembled joinery will require another device to grind the inner corners (its own 2 mm stroke does not allow working in the corners of the three planes). The combination of oscillation amplitude, the surface area to be machined and the variable rate of vibration of the base plate all contribute to the high level of performance in this field. It is designed for fine work with heterogeneous materials, without volume restrictions.

  • Electronic adjustment of the oscillation frequency
  • Lock the start button
  • Dust extraction system with nozzle for vacuum cleaner or dust collector

Watch a small video review of the Makita 3711 sander:

Sanding eccentric sanders (pre-painting, intermediate sanding and polishing of plastic, metal and wood).

AEG EX 150 ES

The AEG EX 150 ES is one of the versatile grinders that has:

  • adjustable vibration intensity,
  • 2 oscillation amplitude options,
  • Possibility to connect a dust bag or vacuum cleaner to the dust extraction system;

Easy and reliable to use thanks to the sanding cloth fastening. “velcro”, durable plastic and molded base of the sole, as well as dustproof controls. When the amateur simply uses the tool for a long time and gets acceptable results, the pros use the potential deliberately, because they know that:

  • “strangling” this grinder is not easy (the stabilization system instantly detects even insignificant pressure and regulates the engine speed, preventing wear of the equipment);
  • soft start, soleplate brake prevents damage to the working surface
  • intelligent dust extraction prevents premature wear of the workpiece.
  • Soft start
  • Speed regulator
  • Stabilizing operation when the load increases
  • Eccentric stroke adjustment

View a video overview revealing all the features of the AEG EX 150 ES:

Types of grinders

At least 3 types of grinders are available according to shape of the working surface and processing principle. To understand which one will suit you better let’s consider all these types in detail.

Belt grinders

To compare different modifications of grinders, you need to understand their device and the shape of the working sole. A belt sander is a completely different type of equipment for professional surface treatment. It represents a mechanism that has an abrasive belt of sandpaper, which rotates on rollers. It is more suitable for roughing and sanding wood.

LSM can be used for painting cars, but with its help you can process only linear fragments of the body. In the process of processing on the surface are formed linear stripes, which is not acceptable and can not be considered as a quality surface treatment. It is usually used for preliminary removal of putty.

Orbital sanders

This type of grinders has a fundamentally different design. They have an axis on which the working platform rotates. With a special sticky surface, the abrasive discs are attached to it. When rotated by an air drive or electric motor, the wheel does not make circles around its axis, but moves in an orbit. From this came the name of this category of machines.

Tools with rotating circles can be bought in two types:

What is the difference between the orbital and eccentric grinder, if both have a rotating disc?

In fact, there is a difference between them, and an obvious one. The second type has an eccentric that makes the wheel rotate in an orbit, but the platform has an additional bearing. During surface treatment, the wheel stops when a firm pressure is exerted on the tool because of its presence in the design.

Still, whether it is better to use an orbital or excentric grinder? There are no fundamental differences between them except for the independent rotation of the eccentric wheel. But the processing character is different.

  • Simple orbital fixtures are used for rougher surface finishing, because the rotation speed of the abrasive wheel does not depend much on the degree of pressure.
  • Whereas machining with an eccentric tool is slightly different. It is suitable for softer surfaces for their final finish.

The wheel rotates at high speed, which is the main requirement, and when the master presses it during the work, the disc stops and does not grind the surface of paintwork. The presence of an eccentric and a bearing act as a kind of protector, so as not to spoil the final decorative coating of the car.

The maximum diameter of the abrasive wheel in orbital sanders can be about 210 mm. The most convenient size is from 120 to 150 mm.

Vibratory grinders

You can also buy a vibratory sander in stores. This is a separate category of grinding equipment used for quality processing even the body of cars for its painting or wood products to get a perfectly smooth surface.

Its difference lies in the design and shape of the soleplate. It is made in the form of a 4-cornered corner.

It is convenient for sanding corners, shelves, and linear areas on the car body. For this tool, there are pads of similar grit size on sale.

If the quality of surface treatment is the same, then what is the difference between the eccentric grinder from the vibrating? You can’t put one tool as an alternative to the other. On the extensive areas of the body the result is the same, but in the corners and shelves processing quality will be different, because the round machine to get to the depth of the corner is impossible.

After all, which grinder is better, vibratory or eccentric??

To answer this question, the quality and performance of both tools must be evaluated under the same conditions. As the experts say, with a good craftsman, the differences will not be noticeable on large and flat surfaces. But when it comes to linear areas, shelves, corners on the car body, then the leader here is obvious in its physical features. The quadrangular soleplate can be rectangular or square. The use of one or the other is relevant in certain cases.

Deciding to choose a specific type of grinder, you need to consider all of its qualities and physical capabilities. An experienced craftsman has all the types of machines listed in the article in his arsenal, because they are applicable in certain cases. You can only achieve a high-quality surface finish with a variety of tools:

  • Orbital ones allow for a more delicate touch-up of the paintwork. They are also applicable for polishing the body, because after their action there are circles, which in their totality are hardly noticeable even with a detailed consideration of a particular area of the surface.
  • Vibratory sanders draw small radius circles on the surface. This should be taken into account if you want to get different quality of processing.

When choosing professional equipment (orbital, eccentric or vibratory grinder) you should be wary of cheap domestic. They may be made by the same companies, but the level of reliability will be very different from the professional. It is better to pay twice as much, but to use the technique for a long time and get a quality result.