The Best Random Orbital Sanders (2024) for your next project

In the realm of woodworking, adherence to the cardinal rule of sanding parallel to the wood grain stands as a cornerstone for achieving flawlessly smooth finishes on crafted wooden pieces. Yet, this principle encounters challenges when dealing with intricate surfaces such as parquet floors, where the grain diverges across individual boards. In these scenarios, navigating the grain’s diverse directions presents a hurdle to maintaining the standard sanding protocol. In such cases, the utilization of the Best Random Orbital Sanders becomes pivotal for effectively managing varied grain orientations and ensuring a consistently refined surface across the intricate patterns of parquet flooring.

In these cases, I’ve found that using a random orbital sander is one of the best ways to get the job done quickly and well. The sanding pad on this power tool moves in two important ways at the same time: it spins and oscillates (orbits) in a circular pattern. This unique mix of spinning and oscillating works like magic to reduce the number of unsightly sanding marks on the surface of the wood by a lot. From my experience, this makes random orbital sanders very useful for getting a high-quality finish, especially when it’s hard to keep the grain going in the same way.

Best Random Orbital Sanders Comparison Table

Adjustable speed control is essential for matching sanding speed to material and task. Slower speeds are best for fine finishing, faster for material removal. It gives you sanding control and diversity.

List of the Best Random Orbital Sanders

Your individual requirements will determine whether a corded or cordless option is the better fit. Models that are corded deliver steady power but necessitate the use of an outlet. Cordless sanders have the advantage of portability, but because they run on rechargeable batteries, their run life may be restricted. Make your decision depending on the requirements of the project and your preferences about mobility.

Makita BO5041 5″ Random Orbit Sander

Because of its low weight, the random orbital sander allows you to sand vertical surfaces without experiencing any strain on your muscles. In addition, we enjoy how it has an adjustable front handle, which makes it easier to sand corners in tight spaces, as well as an ergonomic palm grip made of rubberized elastomer.

Bosch ROS20VSC Random Orbital Sander

The ROS20VSC is the best corded sander we tried for comfort, speed, and dust collection. Because it keeps dust out so well (thanks to a rubber O-ring seal on the dust port, good airflow, and an airtight dust bin), less dust stays on the surface to get ground into the abrasive pad. This keeps the pad clean and makes it last longer. The switch that controls the speed is behind the handle. It’s easy to reach, but you could accidentally move it. The surface it left after sanding was very nice. It wasn’t as smooth as the Milwaukee 6034-21’s, but it was still very good.

DEWALT 20-Volt Cordless Sander

A 20-volt battery makes this DEWALT random orbital sander cordless, unlike most. That eliminates concerns regarding cords and electrical outlets. Instead, you get a brushless motor for longer runtime and enough power for most DIY tasks. The sander’s 2.0-amp-hour battery isn’t heavy, but it only lasts around 30 minutes before recharging. That’s adequate for many sanding projects, and the sander will work with any 20-volt DEWALT battery with more amp hours for longer runtime.

You can go leisurely for better control or fast to remove material quickly with the variable speed control from 8,000 to 12,000 opm. The sander’s rubberized over-mold grip reduces vibrations and makes it comfortable to hold. Working with the low-profile tool brings your hand closer to the wood, improving control. The smooth, swirl-free results will please. This is a pricey choice, but cordless convenience may be worth it. We like that it has a battery, charger, tool bag, and 3-year warranty.

Black+Decker 20V MAX Cordless Random Orbital Sander

The Black & Decker 20V Max Random Orbital Sander is a tough competitor to beat when it comes to sanding on a tight budget. This lithium-ion battery with 20V and 1.5 Ah capacity powers the 5-inch sander, which also includes a charger and a dust collection device that can be detached. It has a molded rubber grip that is designed to reduce fatigue and increase comfort, and it weighs little more than three pounds.

The hook-and-loop sanding discs utilized by the Black+Decker random orbital sander give consumers the ability to rapidly replace a disc that has become worn out. Users are able to dial in the rate at which they are either removing finish or sanding the surface, despite the fact that the sander only has one speed (and that speed is relatively high). This is made possible by the rapid shifting of sanding discs.

Festool 574993

If you only look at how our tests went, the Festool random circular sander is the clear winner. It runs smoothly, has a lot of power, and collects dust very well. Even though it wasn’t the quickest sander we tried, it was close to the top. And it’s easy to keep that speed and power in check. If you only care about how well a tool works, you might want to get the Festool, which is the best circular sander I’ve ever used.

But for most of us, performance isn’t the only thing that matters, and Festool has two big problems in this area. The first thing is cost. The Festool random orbital sander costs over $200, which is three to four times more than the other sanders we looked at. Is this sander 3 times as good as the Ridgid? If you’re not a professional, definitely not, and even if you are, probably not.

Maintenance and Care Tips

Your random orbital sander will last longer and work better if you take care of it and keep it in good shape. Here are some tips on how to keep it in good shape:

• System for Getting Rid of Dust: To keep dust collection working well, empty or change the dust collection bag or container often. A jammed system can make a mess and make the sander less effective.
• How to Clean a Sanding Pad: Clean the grinding pad every so often to get rid of dust and other things that can build up as you use it. You can use a crepe block or a specially made rough cleaning stick.
• Putting oil on: Follow the instructions from the maker to grease the parts of the sander that move. Lubrication keeps things running smoothly and keeps them from wearing out too quickly.
• Check for Broken Things: Check the sander before each use for damage, broken parts, or signs of wear and tear. Fix problems right away to keep them from getting worse.

What are the Safety Precautions while using Random Orbital Sanders?

When using a random orbital sander, it is important to put safety first to avoid accidents and make sure the work area is safe. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Sanding Which Way: Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to keep the surface from getting damaged and to avoid making lines that go across the grain.
• Having regular checks: Check the sander every so often for harm, loose parts, or wear and tear. Fix any problems before using.
• Don’t let the heat build up: When used for a long time, random circular sanders can get hot. Be careful around hot objects, and if you need to, take breaks to let the tool cool down.
• Turn off the power: Before you change the sandpaper or do any repair, unplug a corded sander or take the battery out of a cordless model.

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