The online power tool trade counter:
Orbital sanders with 125mm diameter pads use round sanding sheets and are the smallest orbital sanders that we supply that use round sandpaper sheets. These tools are great at sanding a range of materials, including walls, paint and wood.
Orbital sanders can also be used to buff metal. Because these are small sanders, they will cover less ground than a larger sander, but have the potential, when combined with an appropriate sanding sheet to give a fine finish for detailed work.
- The key consideration when choosing an orbital sander is the size & shape of pad most suited to the work. This size of orbital sander is for medium sanding. Orbital sanders with a round backing pad can also be used to polish as well as buff wood & metal.
- Some orbital sanders have a variable speed function ie. allowing for a slow start on the trigger. Additionally some have more than one speed setting. Most sanders are mains operated although there are some cordless now coming to the market. Choosing your power source: The first choice is between a mains (110v or 240v) or a cordless tool. 240v tools are used with normal mains power whilst 110v tools are used on construction sites for safety reasons.
- With regards to cordless (battery powered) tools there are a variety of chemical types; Li-ion is the latest technology, prior to that it was Ni-MH and Ni-Cad was the original. The higher the Ah (Ampere hours) the longer the interval between charges; the fewer times you recharge a battery the longer it will last. Some cordless tools can also come without batteries - sometimes referred to as naked, bare units or body only. These tools are supplied without a battery or charger and more often than not without any accessories; as a result they are significantly cheaper in price.
- To also help you decide between orbital sander - 125mm dia pad