Best Palm Sanders to Smooth Out Various Surfaces
Sanding is an important part of woodworking and carpentry because it ensures that the surfaces of your wooden workpieces are smooth and have a refined texture. Proper texture often makes the biggest difference in the visual appeal of the finished product. Sanding is accomplished through the use of sandpapers with varying levels of coarseness or grit. Thanks to advanced technology and the invention of power tools, you no longer have to sand things manually. Now, there are many automatic options to make sanding easier, more efficient, and more consistent.
When it comes to sanding wood pieces, there are different types of sanders that you can use, each of them with distinct features and advantages. However, when it comes to sanding large workpieces and surfaces, a palm sander is the best tool to have in your belt.
We have shortlisted the top palm sanders for beginners by evaluating several top brands, including Black+Decker, Dewalt, and Bosch. We have also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you understand how to use and shop for a new sander.
Our Top Picks
What Is the Best Palm Sander in 2024?
DEWALT Palm Sander
We start off with the DEWALT Palm Sander, which is one of the most reliable and heavy-duty palm sanders out there. It has a solid and sturdy construction, along with a rubber overmolded texture that offers an efficient and comfortable handling while you are sanding. It features a 2.3 Amp motor that provides a speed of 14000 oscillations per minute. The sander also has a lower height that makes it easier for you to work on the surfaces.
This palm sander also has a locking dust port system that allows you to attach the vacuum hose to it for cleaning purposes. Moreover, it also comes in a carrying bag, which makes it easier for you to carry it around.
- Runs at 14000 oscillations per minute
- Can be used for various sanding purposesThe machine vibrates a lot during operation
- The machine vibrates a lot during operation
The BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander has a neat and compact design, which makes it suitable for sanding in tight spaces and corners. It is a high-performance machine with a 2 Amp corded motor that runs smoothly at 12000 oscillations per minute and provides a refined and textured finish. It quickly sands material off of wooden pieces, and also features a comfortable grip handle that you can securely hold while sanding. It allows you to keep working for longer periods of time without causing any fatigue to your hands or wrists.
This palm sander is a premium quality and powerful machine that can be used for all sorts of sanding projects, and it also has a dust extraction system with a built-in dust bag as well.
- Provides smooth and high-powered performance
- Lightweight and compact construction makes it easy to use
- The motor overheats after prolonged use
BLACK+DECKER Mouse Detail Sander
Another wonderful model by BLACK+DECKER is the Mouse Detail Sander, which also has a compact and lightweight construction, as well as a unique design that enables it to work around tight spaces and hard-to-reach corners easily. It also has a detailed finger attachment to help it with this purpose. The palm sander is equipped with a 1.2 Amp motor that removes material at a speed of 14000 oscillations per minute, and also has a 3-position grip to provide more control and better handling.
This palm sander comes with a hook and loop mechanism to allow you to change the paper easily. It also has a dust extraction port that has a removable dust collection canister attached to it.
- Micro-filtration system keeps the palm sander clean
- Finger attachment enables you to reach tight spaces
- The sanding paper doesn’t last very long
The WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander is wonderfully built and has a great and portable design, which makes it suitable for sanding tight spaces. It has a 3.75” x 5.5” pad that allows you to sand various surfaces quickly. Its 1 Amp motor delivers an impressive speed of 13500 oscillations per minute, and its light weight enables you to use it properly without straining your wrist or arms. The sanding paper on the pad lasts quite long and can also be replaced easily when needed.
This palm sander is suitable for all types of small and large sanding projects, and its venting design also keeps the motor at an optimal temperature by allowing air to pass through.
- Dust collection port keeps sawdust from flying everywhere
- Lightweight design allows for proper handling
- Doesn’t have dust collection bag included
Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
Last but not least, the Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander is a highly reliable machine that provides a smooth finish to every surface. It has a powerful 2.5 Amp motor that provides a no load variable speed between 7500 and 12000 oscillations per minute. This means that you can use it for various tasks and projects with ease and precision. The sander also features Bosch’s advanced hook and loop mechanism, which allows the sanding pads to stick to the sander without any attachment.
This palm sander also features a micro filtration system that traps fine dust particles and sawdust from the sanding jobs, and the transparent canister helps you see when it needs to be replaced.
- Easy to replace sanding discs
- Comes with complete accessories, including carrying case
- Has a high noise rating
Best Palm Sanders Buying Guide
What Is a Palm Sander?
A palm sander is a compact and handy power tool that delivers a smooth and refined finish to all surfaces. It is specially designed to work for small or medium-sized projects, and it is particularly popular among people who like to carry out DIY projects around the house.
A palm sander has a compact handheld design and is meant to be easily used with just one hand. Also, it is lightweight, so it doesn’t cause hand fatigue even when you use it for an extended period of time. The sander has a pad at the bottom, where a sanding paper or disc is attached, depending on the grit level you need for sanding. Typically, the paper can be easily attached and removed, and usually has a clip or lock mechanism that holds it in place.
If you have ever used an orbital sander, you’ll find their smaller counters strikingly familiar. A palm sander is like an orbital sander, just a bit smaller. Additionally, orbital sanders can move in either a circular or orbiting motion, whereas a palm sander only moves in an orbiting motion. However, palm sanders are better for getting into smaller spaces that an orbital sander would be too large to get into. Additionally, they are easier to hold and use than an orbital sander. They are much different than a belt sander, which is used to quickly strip down rough wood.
When to Use a Palm Sander
As mentioned above, a palm sander provides you with a fast, smooth, and compact performance that removes material from all types of wood pieces and makes them a finished and high-quality appearance. Palm sanders are popularly used for their handheld feature, and their ability to sand hard-to-reach places. Moreover, you can also use them for leveling, shaping, cleaning, and many other purposes.
When Shayna Alnwick, founder of The Flipped Piece, began flipping furniture in 2020, she purchased her first sander to strip paint from used furniture.
“My first power tool ever was a Black and Decker Mouse Sander. I plugged it in, nervous because I had never used one before. I thought I’d sand my fingers off. I wanted to start small and think it was the best thing I ever bought because you can do so much with just one tool. Everything needs a little sand.” (Shayna Alnwick)
Another reason why people often buy palm sanders over other types of sanders is because they are much more budget-friendly and due to their portability, they can be easily carried anywhere, which is particularly useful for professionals who have to travel to one place from another for their woodworking jobs.
How To Use a Palm Sander
Before you start using a palm sander, you would have to choose the sandpaper you need for the surface you are going to work on. Sandpapers are available in different grit levels and materials as well, and if you know which one you need, then you can clamp or attach it to the surface of the palm sander.
Once you have secured the material to the work table, wear safety goggles and also safety gloves, since they will help you stay safe from injuries. It is also wise to wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust particles that fly due to the sanding process. Hold the palm sander securely and make sure the sandpaper isn’t touching anything.
Now you can turn the sander on and watch the motor slowly pick up speed. Once it is rotating at maximum speed, or you have set the speed according to what you need, slowly bring the sander towards the workpiece and glide it over the material, without applying too much pressure. Always move the sander in long and even strokes to ensure level smoothness.
Watch Shayna Alwick build a wooden bench from scratch with the help of a palm sander:
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Things To Consider Before Buying
There are some factors that you should keep in mind before you choose a palm sander for your professional or DIY projects. These factors will help you decide which of the options will be more suitable for you, so you will be able to make an informed decision.
Power source
There are two types of power sources in palm sanders: corded and cordless. You would be aware of the fact that corded palm sanders provide a higher power output than cordless models. The corded models are better in the sense that they provide constant power without dying down in between, but you might have problems with the length of the cord and may have to buy an extension cord as well.
Cordless palm sanders are better for people who carry their tools with them on different projects around town, and don’t always have access to a power outlet. However, with cordless models, you will have to remember to charge it regularly, and also keep an eye on the battery level to ensure that it doesn’t run out of charge. Make sure you choose the one that is most convenient for your style of work.
Sanding speed
The sanding speed is the main factor that determines the performance of a palm sander. The speed is measured in orbits or oscillations per minute, and a suitable value lies between 7000 and 12000 orbits per minute. Some sanders have a fixed speed, which means that some projects will take longer than others.
However, you can also find palm sanders that have two or three-speed settings, and some palm sanders also come with variable speed settings, where you can set the speed at any value between the provided range. Essentially, you should go for sanders with variable speed settings, as they are more versatile and help you work on projects much faster.
Base plate
The base plate refers to the surface of the palm sander, where the sandpaper or sanding pads are attached. Usually, palm sanders have two sizes for the base plate: 5” and 6”. If you find a palm sander that has a base plate less than 5”, it is more suitable for finishing. On the other hand, palm sanders with base plates larger than 6” are suited for professional woodworking projects.
Ease of use
The ease of use is a key factor with any power tool, and it refers to the comfort that you experience while holding and using the palm sander, especially if you use it for a longer period of time. In this regard, the weight of the palm sander also plays a major role, since you hold the sander in your palm. Not only should it be lightweight, but the sander should also have an ergonomic design that minimizes hand fatigue.
Dust collection
In every sanding project, a lot of dust will fly off when you are removing material, and a good palm sander is one that has a dust extraction system with a vacuum that draws dust particles in and collects them in a bag to be discarded later on. Make sure that all the palm sanders you look at have this feature so that you stay dust-free.
People Also Asked
Palm sanders are basically a type of orbital sanders that are much smaller in size. While a palm sander uses a ½” sheet or larger, the palm sander only utilizes a ¼” sheet.
The rule of thumb is to start by choosing sandpapers that have a coarse grit, and then working your way towards much finer papers. For rougher materials, you need a sandpaper with 40-60 grit, whereas for medium or fine materials, you need anywhere between 80-180 grit.