Sander for Furniture Refinishing?

Sometimes a piece of furniture (new or antique) might require refinishing. Naturally, you want the process to go smoothly. So, getting good results will require the best hand sander for refinishing furniture. It should be complete with all the features that you require for completing your project.

There are, of course, many sanders on the market today. Most of them are either high-quality or low-quality. So, how do you know whether an electric sander is a good one before you buy it? Well, normally you would check the price and the manufacturer to see which ones are the best.

However, when it comes to finding the best sander for furniture, proceed with caution. You could still end up buying a low-quality sander and damaging your piece of furniture.

Quick Comparison of Top 7 Sander for Refinishing Furniture

Product	Key Specifications	More Info
Dewalt DCW210B Cordless Sander	Weight:  2.5 pounds Type: Random Orbit Paper Type: 8-Hole hook Orbit: 12,000 OPM Dimensions: 8.8"x5.7"x6.3"	Price
Makita BO4556 Finishing Sander	Weight:  2.43 pounds Type: Finish Sender Paper Type: Abrasive Orbit: 14,000 OPM Dimensions: 5.25x8x7.5 in.	Price
DEWALT DWE6421K Finishing Sander	Weight:  4 pounds Type: Random Orbit Paper Type: Velcro Orbit: 12,000 OPM Dimensions: 10.38"x7.25"x 6.18"	Price
WEN 6510T Oscillating Sander	Weight:  30.2 pounds Type: Spindle Sander Paper Type: Velcro Orbit: 58 OPM Dimensions: 20.3"x15.5"x24"	Price
PORTER-CABLE 7346SP Sander	Weight:  6 pounds Type: Random Orbit Pad Size: 6-inch Orbit: 6,800 OPM Dimensions: 11.5"x10.5"x6"	Price
Makita B04900V Finishing Sander	Weight:  6.2 pounds Type: Random Orbit Pad Size: 1/2-inch Orbit: 10,000 OPM Dimensions: 14.96"x9.06"x5.51"	Price
Bosch GSS20-40 Finishing Sander	Weight:  2.7 pounds Type: Orbital Pad Size: 1/4-inch Orbit: 12,000 OPM Dimensions: 8.66"x5.69"x6.68"	Price

What kind of Sander is Needed for Furniture Finishing or Refinishing?

We know that learning how to purchase the best sander for refinishing furniture may not always be easy, but hopefully, we’ve made it a bit easier for you with our ten reviews. All of the products reviewed here are high-quality rotary sanders and they will do a good job when it comes to refinishing your furniture.

Remember, before you buy any sander, even one of the sanders that we’ve listed here, just make sure that you’ve checked the power and speed to see if it’s going to suit your needs, whether they may be the best palm sander or the best finishing sander. Below are the most uses furniture finishing or refinishing sanders:

• Detail Sanders (triangular sander for fine edge and tight corners).
• Orbit Sanders (aka Random Orbital Sanders).
• Palm Sanders (aka Finishing Sanders).
• Belt Sanders (highly effective for removing roughness).
• Disc Sanders (rough or fine finish sanding)
• Oscillating Spindle Sander (smooth finish on exterior curves).

Top Rated 7 Sander for Refinishing Furniture Reviews

The best way of knowing what is the best furniture finishing sander is by checking the product reviews. That’s why we put together a list of the top seven best sanders for refinishing furniture. They all have different features.

However, all of them have something in common. They’re all high-quality tools. Our guide is the ultimate handbook for finding the electric sander for refinishing furniture.

So, to find out which are the best, keep reading and we’ll help you to make the best buying decision:

1Makita BO4556 2-Amp Finishing Sander

• Paper Type: Abrasive
• Orbit: 14000 OPM
• Weight: 2.43 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Durably constructed.
• Ergonomic Designs.
• Classic finish design.
• Ideal for indoor detailing work.
• Comfortable palm grip.
• Affordable price tag.

This is an excellent quality finish sander featuring a 2.0 Amp motor that provides 14,000 orbits per minute. A high-performance through-the-pad dust collection ensures a nice tidy and dust-free workspace. Soft rubberized palm grip design handle for firm and comfortable finishing jobs. And, the compact and lightweight body gets into hard-to-reach places.

The Makita BO45556 electric sander design with precision-engineered all-ball bearing minimizes vibration and noise. Large clamping lever construction allows easy and rapid sandpaper installation. This way, you can work with the sander in different refinishing furniture applications. Additionally, it includes abrasive paper, punch plate, and dust collection box that keeps your work area free from dust particles.

Durable materials are used to manufacture this powerful sander, which means you can work with them for an extended period. The design is compact, and it can fit into much smaller spaces. Consequently, you can work with it in tight spaces quite conveniently.

You can concentrate on your work since it doesn’t create much sound to disturb you. It is a fast and efficient sander that helps you complete any furniture refinishing task within the targeted time.

2BOSCH GSS20-40 1/4-Sheet Finishing Orbital Sander

• Pad Size: 1/4-inch
• Orbit: 12000 OPM
• Weight: 2.7 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Powerful motor delivers 12,000 OPM.
• Operates with less vibration.
• Efficient dust collector system.
• Micro-filter dust canister.
• Durable and compact design.
• Comfortable grip for a smooth finish.
• Reasonable price tag.

This Bosch GSS20-40 is an excellent hand-held sanding tool with a 2-Amp powerful motor delivering 12,000 orbits per minute. When it comes to furniture refinishing projects, it’s both efficient and quite helpful. The aluminum sanding plate delivers a more smooth sanding surface and perfect refinishing quality.

It also comes equipped with a dust collector system that’s efficient at collecting almost everything. It offers flush-sanding, and that means that you can use it for a variety of different projects as well.

Generally, sanders create much noise and vibration while working. Thus, the user of sanders can’t control the tool conveniently. But the BOSCH GSS20-40 allows its user to work with it comfortably because it features a soft grip that confirms low vibration. As a result, the long-term application can easily be handled.

When the project is to tackle refinishing furniture or cabinets, or wooden surfaces, this sander will be an ideal tool.

3DEWALT DCW210B 20V Brushless Cordless Finishing Sander

• Paper Type: 8-Hole hook
• Orbit: 12000 OPM
• Weight: 2.5 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Brushless motor.
• Cordless compact design.
• Replaceable Velcro pad.
• Compatible with some vacuum hoses.
• Good battery runtime.

This is a 20V MX Brushless 5-inch orbital battery-operated sander that’s also conveniently cordless. It has a variable-speed dial for better speed control from 8,000 OPM to 12,000 OPM. This makes it the smoothest finish sander for all kinds of projects.

It also offers a one-handed locking dust bag for keeping your work area nice and clean. And the textured rubber grip means more comfortable sanding. It also provides a lower height for getting closer to any work surface for more control. With its brushless motor, this sander provides both good power and longer runtime for getting the job done.

The tool comes with a lightweight feature that allows you to work with it conveniently. You also can carry it from one place to another without any hassle. The design is compact and easy to maneuver. The Velcro pad is easily replaceable that will not give you much problem as replacing is easy.

This orbital sander has been designed for sanding wooden furniture, metal, plastics, and painted surfaces. The tool provides all the freedom of a cordless sander to its user.

4WEN 6510T 3.5 Amp Oscillating Finish Spindle Sander

• Paper Type: Velcro
• Orbit: 58 OPM
• Weight: 30.2 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Handles larger finishing projects.
• 6-Sanding sleeves.
• Durable and Versatile.
• Dust collection port.
• Smoothest sanding, oscillating action.
• Onboard dust storage.

This spindle sander can simplify the task of sanding curves, contours, and pieces of furniture. And, the quiet 3.5 Amp 1/2HP motor with a 5/8-inch stroke can deliver 2000 rotations and 58 oscillations per minute. You can also keep your work area cleaner and dust-free with the convenient 1.5” dust port for attaching a dust collection system.

It offers onboard storage for all of the accessories. The workspace measurement is 15” X 11.5” provides sufficient space when working with a more extensive workpiece. Moreover, the worktable is made of cast-iron that, which guarantees its durability it. The body is heavy plastic, and the top is cast iron with a very smooth, flat surface. Overall a very nice finish for the price.

The package also includes 6 sanding sleeves. The replacement of these sleeves is straightforward. It has five rubber drum spindles. You can remove the spindle as you do when you change spindles. It works so well on its stand and doesn’t stop you from sanding when you have a setup on the table saw.

Overall, the tool comes with a very nice finish for the price.

5Makita BO4900V 1/2-Inch Sheet Finishing Sander

• Pad Size: 1/2-inch
• Orbit: 10000 OPM
• Weight: 5.94 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Quick and easy sandpaper sheets changing.
• Variable speed option.
• Minimal vibration while sanding.
• Smooth-running sander.
• Ergonomic design.
• Comfortable grip.

This Makita sander offers an integrated dust collection system for keeping your work area nice and clean. It can easily be hooked up to your vacuum hose for even better dust collection. It also has a large trigger switch for smooth and easy operation. And the ergonomically designed grip is contoured, making it easy to hold at any angle with less fatigue.

The handy variable speed-control dial goes from 4,000 OPM to 10,000 OPM. This adjustable speed feature lets you handle the different sanding projects per your requirement with the chosen speed.

Moreover, you can use either 4-1/2” x 11” half sheets of sandpaper or 4-1/2” x 9” hook-and-loop type. A large cam-lock clamping lever makes the sandpaper installation process straightforward. Furthermore, you can smoothly operate the machine since it is equipped with a large trigger switch.

It also vibrates less so that you can accomplish your task with ease and delivers a perfect result. All these brilliant features ensure working with it will be comfortable and stress-less.

6PORTER-CABLE 7346SP Orbital Finish Sander with Polishing Pad

• Pad Size: 6-inch
• Orbit: 6800 OPM
• Weight: 6 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Offers swirl marks-free sanding/polishing action.
• Lightweight and compact design.
• Superior durability.
• Removable 2-position handle.
• 10-feet long cord.
• Comes with a variable speed control dial.

This 6-inch orbital sander offers a larger 4.5 Amp motor than many rotary sanders. It also has a 6-inch polishing pad and a sanding disc. Also, it includes a proprietary counterbalance and a removable two-position side handle for both better user control and comfort, which is essential for refinishing furniture.

It offers a variable-speed dial for providing from 2,500 OPM to 6,800 OPM. This variable speed lets you smooth out any rough surface with ease. It has a compact and lightweight design, which makes it easily carryable to a job site.

Better control and comfort is confirmed with this orbit sander as it features a 2-position removable handle. However, the Porter-Cable 7346 sander is a perfect sander polisher. It is easy to use and powerful.

7DEWALT DWE6421K 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander

• Paper Type: Velcro
• Orbit: 12000 OPM
• Weight: 4 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• 3-Amp powerful motor that delivers 12,000 OPM.
• Foamy material in the handle.
• Efficient dust-port system.
• Less vibration.

This Dewalt finish sander offers a powerful 3-Amp motor for delivering 12,000 orbits per minute. It’s often used for expert furniture refinishing, especially when sanding older wood. The overall height of this model has been reduced for getting closer to your work. And the counterweight has also been separated for reducing the vibrations.

One of the best features of this sander is the dust-port system for connecting to a vacuum cleaner for getting rid of all that dust much faster. The device’s durability is ensured with a dust-sealed switch that prevents dust from going into the machine’s inner components. Foamy material covers the handle so that you can work with it for a long time without fatigue.

When the tool is idle, you can lock it up with the help of the innovative one-lock system. The unlocking procedure is also similar to the locking system. These features reduce the chance of accidents and keep you safe.

Upon buying, you will also get a nice carrying bag. You can store the device safely in the bag. Perform a challenging task will become easy with this favorite sander for sure.

Buying Guide

What do you need to know when buying the best sander for refinishing furniture?

Speed

This is one of the most important things when choosing between sanders. The speed of all sanders is measured with OPMs. The more OPMs that any sander has. The faster it will be.

If you’re working with old wooden furniture, then you need a fast sander. In general, the best sanders allow you to adjust your speed to be used for all kinds of different projects.

Ergonomics

If you’re trying to choose the best palm sander, then it should fit your palm comfortably. So, before purchasing any sander, check to see if it will fit your hand or not. If it doesn’t, you’ll end up returning it because it’s too hard to control.

Power & Vibration

The best sanders are powerful but don’t vibrate too much. When it comes to refinishing, you don’t need a lot of power unless you want to remove a lot of material, which I don’t think is a good idea.

You need a sander that doesn’t vibrate too much because sanding takes a lot of time, you need to be focused, and you need to hold and control the sander all the time—the less the vibration, the easier it is for you to control and hold the tool.

Safety

It doesn’t matter if you are using a sander or any other tool. Safety comes first, even if you are an experienced DIY. Before buying a tool, check if it has all the things you need to keep yourself safe. For sanders, check if it has: pad brakes, ergonomic handles, and a dust collection system.

Dust Collection

Every sander should have a dust collector bag. If it doesn’t, then don’t spend your money on it. Sawdust can bring you breathing complications and other health problems. While sanding, especially while sanding raw wood, a lot of sawdust will be produced. That’s why you need a sander that has a system that will get rid of the dust.

Most palm sanders have an option that allows you to connect your vacuum cleaner to the sander, preventing the dust from making a huge mess.

Grit Rating

As you may know, you need sandpaper in order to sand something. You should make sure to check if the sander you are buying can fit the sandpaper you already own. If it doesn’t then you need to buy new sandpaper.

FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most common questions potential sander buyers may have regarding sanders.

Can you use sanders for furniture refinishing?

Yes, sanders are power tools used for smoothing uneven surfaces. A piece of sandpaper is attached to the disc on the sander—the disc moves for sanding the object. So, basically, sanders do the same thing that you would be doing manually, only faster and better.

Is it the best sander for refinishing furniture battery or electric-powered?

High-quality rotary sanders can either be battery-powered or electric-powered.

What’s the best type of sander for sanding with wood grain?

When and why do you need to use the best detail sander (aka mouse sander) is a question that many DIYers are asking. This type of sander will move back and forth in a straight line rather than in a circular pattern. This means that you can use it going with the grain of the wood rather than against it as with orbital sanders.

That’s why it’s perfect for use when doing fine finishing. This is especially true when you’re planning to use a stain on a piece of furniture. An orbital sander will leave circles that the stain will get stuck in, leading to a bad staining job.

How many switches do most sanders have?

They usually only have one, and that’s the ON/OFF Switch.

Do sander packages come with anything besides the sander?

That depends on the manufacturer and the model. Many of them come complete with a sander and dust bag. Prior to buying one, be sure to check all of the reviews like ours above. Then, check the package details so you’re aware of what you’re getting before you buy. Consider buying one of our ten choices for the best sander for wood.

What sander works for all kinds of projects?

Many different types of sanders are used for different projects.

What speed should sanders have for proper furniture refinishing?

We recommend sanders that allow you to adjust their speed. If you buy one that doesn’t, we recommend using a speed from 8,000 OPM to 14,000 OPM. Of course, the speed also depends on how old and difficult the sanding project is.

Do you really need a power sander for furniture refinishing?

If you’re going to sand and refinish any furniture, you need the best hand sander for the job. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an expert DIYer or just a beginner. Choosing the best sander for wood isn’t always a simple task.

After all, you can’t just run around all of your local home improvement stores for shopping. All you’ll end up doing is picking one and then hoping that it will be well-suited to the job you have planned.

Final Thoughts

The above 7 sanders are, in our opinion, the very best hand sander for furniture refinishing. They offer you the best size, shape, and weight for the job, whether you need the best hand sander for refinishing furniture or cabinets, or a deck. You’ll find that you can get beautiful, professional-looking results without having to break the bank.