Best Overall
Ryobi BD4601G 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt/Disc Sander
Best Bang for the Buck
Rikon Power Tools 50-151 Bench Sander
Best for Large Tasks
Wen 6502T 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt and Disc Sander
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Bench sanders are design to smooth large surfaces quickly and easily , allowing you to stop a woodworking project faster . We researched more than 20 best - selling workbench sanders and then examine the top five to see how well they do in shop sanding situation . And we ground a favorite : theRyobi BD4601 G 4 - Inch by 36 - Inch Belt / Disc Sander , which offer a expectant flat sanding open plus a 6 - inch sanding disc . It excelled in our hands - on sand tests .
If the Ryobi isn’tthe right tool for you , no need to concern — we test more top - value mannequin that provide additional sandpaper solutions for DIYers and pros . We also added three more models to our list , which , though we did n’t test them , snap up our attention establish on reviews and client ratings . Among our lineup of the best workbench drum sander , you ’ll find jazz band models and even a smoother that come with a grinding rack .
Bench Sanders Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
The following list of bench sanders has something for every woodworker . We prefer manikin with wide belts for strong-growing wood remotion and some with narrow belted ammunition for finer detail employment . Many include rotating disk and fences or miter gauge for precision work , and we ’ve included gamey - calibre poser to fit various budgets . One is sure to be a good pick for your workshop .
Our military rating : Ease of Use4.8/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Value4.8/5
This pickaxe can get a lot of sanding done in a hurry thanks to its 36 - in by 4 - inch bash and the push back force of the potent 4.3 - amp motor . This telling tabletop smash sander also has a 6 - column inch magnetic disc and an adjustable tool rest table that we used to smooth bevels and angles .
We especially liked its adjustable swath position , which allowed us to use the smoother vertically or horizontally . That ’s a definite fringe benefit when sanding various board configuration for the same labor .
The integrated detritus port on this benchtop smoother can be connected to a collection bag or to a shop - eccentric void . We used it with and without an committed vacancy hosepipe , and it significantly reduce the amount of airborne dust . The sand disc table has a miter gauge to stand fabric at a specific angle , and we found that very helpful for sand consistent Angle .
What our tester says:“I hump how stable the Ryobi terrace drum sander is . I tested it with and without it being bolted to the bench , and although I ’d always propose bolting , the Ryobi did n’t walk or move when it was n’t bolted . ” — Glenda Taylor , Product Reviews quizzer and writer
Get the Ryobi work bench sander atAmazon , The Home DepotorWalmart .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Build Quality4/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Value5/5
With the Rikon 50 - 151 bench sander , drug user can enjoy the power of a work bench sander without spending a lot of money . It have a narrow 1 - column inch by 30 - inch sand belt that performed well in our tests for modest projects . It has a hardy instrument rest table that patronise our workpiece while we sanded .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The Rikon also boast a record sander with a ramp up - in mitre standard of measurement , which we used to sandpaper consistent angle and straight ends on both hardwood and softwood instrument panel .
This is a light - tariff sander , and we ’d recommend it for small DIY and craft projects or haunt work . It ’s not openhanded enough or sinewy enough to handle large sand projects , but it ’s well deserving the investment for those who work on many small - scale of measurement projects . We connect our shop class emptiness to the dust porthole , which reduced airborne dust , but enough break loose that wearing a debris mask is a must .
Get the Rikon work bench sander atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Our rating : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Build Quality5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Value4.5/5
This Wen workbench sander come with two standard sanding tools — a 4 - column inch belt sander and a 6 - column inch disk sander — so it can manage a kitchen range of projects . It has a cast - iron base and weighs 37.6 pound , which is heavy enough to preclude most wobbling during usance , but we bolt it to our workbench anyway .
In our tests , the sandpaper belt did an excellent job of apace smoothen out rocky wood surface and removing extra material on both hardwood and deal boards . The 6 - in disk features a large instrument rest table and built - in miter joint gauge that we used to sandpaper substantial board ends and angled ends .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The Wen bench sander is powered by a 4.3 - ampere motor and has a simple latent hostility going lever for change the emery paper . The sandpaper belt on this sander are also designed for light replacement . Its dust ingathering port does n’t direct the flow of sawdust on its own , but when we connected it to our shop class vacuum , it considerably reduced the amount of airborne dust .
Get the Wen 6502 T bench sander atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best Upgrade Pick
Grizzly Industrial G0787 Horizontal/Vertical Belt Sander
Our rating : Ease of Use4/5 ; Build Quality4.5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Value5/5
The Grizzly Industrial horizontal / perpendicular smash sander work well on wood or metal projects , and we tested this one for focalize lawn mower blades . It packs a 4.3 - amp single - phase motor that turns the knock at a pace of 1,900 feet per minute . The 90 - academic degree adjustable belt platen and right - angle backstop permit vertical , diagonal , or horizontal sanding for optimum user comfort and control condition .
The 4 - in abrasive belt utterly matched the breadth of the sharp border on our 21.5 - inch mower blades . We enhance the belt subdivision to the vertical position , flipped the power switch , and braced the sword against the catcher as it reach out to the knock . The fairly worn blade only needed a 12 - 2nd dweeb on each edge , while the severely worn steel required 27 seconds per border . This would also be a in effect terrace sander for large woodworking projects .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
What our examiner says:“I wish that the Grizzly belt smoother gave the edge an evenly categorical profile , and the included 80 - grit whack will a smooth culture . ” — Mark Wolfe , Product Reviews examiner & author
Get the Grizzly Industrial terrace sander atAmazon , Tractor Supply Co. ,The Home Depot , orGrizzly Industrial .
More Great Options
While we did n’t quiz the following models in our workshops , they made our shortlist of workbench grinders based on their standout reviews and valuation . Each propose a slightly different ambit of power and features in a reach of budgets .
Best Vertical
Bucktool BG2600 Combo Belt Sander Bench Grinder
This Bucktool bench sander has a 2 - inch by 42 - column inch belt sander that can be adjusted from 0 level to 90 degree , so it can be set up to run horizontally or vertically , depending on needs . We really care the 6 - inch judiciary grinder that can be used for sharpening , as well as the inclusion body of a brushwood wheel for removing rust fungus from dick .
This combination belt out sander / work bench Cuban sandwich has a 3.5 - adenylic acid motor and a plaster bandage - Fe al-Qa’ida for better support while work . For the most static sandpaper resolution , we still recommend bolting the Bucktool to a workbench . The grinder also comes with an adjustable optic shield and a built - in LED light , which crystallise the work area while the wheel is in function .
This is one of the most various selection on our list because it sands , grinds , and brushes away rust fungus .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Bucktool judiciary sander atAmazon .
Best for Shop
Jet J-41002 Belt Grinder and Disc Sander
Woodworkers in search of a highly functional combination belt and phonograph record sander may need to match out this cat valium model , which has a hefty 6.2 - adenylic acid motor , one of the most powerful of any on our card . It drives the vertical 42 - in - long by 2 - inch - wide belt sander at up to 3,100 SFPM and the 8 - in disc sander at up to 3,450 RPM , helping to ensure a smooth finish on woodworking projects .
The sinewy motor and the heavy - duty steel and cast of characters - branding iron expression add to the exercising weight of this benchtop belt sander , posture at a goodish 60 Ezra Pound , so it may not be a good choice for users who require to carry it up and take it to multiple jobsites . However , the 45 - degree sandpaper table has a removable miter gauge to help users create a smooth , accurate finish while sanding at an angle .
The only thing we would favor on this mannequin is a wider sanding belt . With the power this sander has , a 4 - inch belt would make straightaway work of sandpaper tumid projects .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Jet bench sander atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Combo Sander
Rockwell RK7866 Shop Series Belt/Disc Combo Sander
This Rockwell swath / magnetic disc combo sander can get a lot of workplace done riotous thanks to its broad whack sander and 4.3 - amp ( ½ hp ) motor . We wish that it also has a 6 - inch disc sander and an adjustable sanding board that can be mark from 0 to 45 degrees for optimal cloth locating . This belt sander can be adjusted from a horizontal position to a upright sanding position .
The Rockwell has a condom switch to forestall inadvertent starts . For contrivance , both the belted ammunition and disc sandpaper are easy to vary . The Rockwell sander also comes with a dust collection system . It weigh 42 pound , which we feel is heavy enough to reduce most of the shakiness or effort associated with sanding , but we still commend bolt it in a permanent situation on the workbench .
Get the Rockwell bench sander atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Bench Sanders
We take up by researching the best - selling bench sanders ground on type , power , user - friendliness , and other exceptional feature film included by top brand . We narrowed our list to eight and then selected the top five for hand - on testing . ( We also test theWen HA5932 Portable Oscillating Spindle Sander , but went out of stock upon publication . )
In genuine examination , we used the terrace sanders in our workshop to perform various sanding undertaking . We sanded hardwood and softwood , and we used themiter gaugesavailable on some models to sand square ends and angles . We carefully mention the base hit aspect of each of the sanders as well as good features that made using the shaft easier or more effective .
We awarded points free-base on a rubric : the better a work bench electric sander do on a trial or assessment , the higher the points . After examination , we averaged the point to specify our best overall choice and to categorize the other workbench sanders by their best use of goods and services .
Photo: Amazon
What to Consider When Choosing a Bench Sander
There is a lot to consider when searching for theright sander . From the space available to the particular type of machine best suited to your motive , the following are some thing to guess about when looking for the best benchtop sanders for a workshop .
Type
Many unlike types of electrical sanders fall under the category of work bench sander , giving tool user a range of options for their woodwork projects . Bench sander types let in belt and disk , drum , andoscillating spindle smoother .
Power
The amount of power a bench sander needs bet on how it will be used . Large task benefit from a smoother with a powerful motor that can rip through a lot of stuff in a poor menstruum of sentence . Smaller , fragile projects call for a less powerful sander , as too much power can ruin a design or bust the material apart .
to boot , a powerful drum sander is hard to control , which is not ideal when working with a small piece of Grant Wood . A bench sander with a ⅓ to ¾ hp motor — or about 1 to 5 amps — should be sufficient for mostDIY sanding projects .
Adjustability
The best terrace sanders for woodworking can be adjusted to customize motor speed , sanding angle , and sanding surface , which gives the tool the ability to treat a wider kitchen range of projection and materials . A bench sander with fastness command lets users throttle its ability outturn .
The sanding slant on somebelt sanderscan be aline horizontally or vertically . There are also judiciary sanders that can be set to utilize a range of sandpaper type for smoothing cloth other than wood .
Ease of Use
If the goal is to find a tool that ’s soft to use , look for a drum sander with intuitive controls , clearly indicate measurements , and unclouded program line for purpose . A bench sander needs to be impenetrable enough to remain steady as wood is pushed against it but light enough to move around as needed in the shop . A tool in the weightiness compass of 30 to 40 pounds is usually idealistic . Even with sufficient heft , it ’s helpful for a sander to have a nonslip cornerstone so that it remains stable on the work bench during enjoyment .
Make indisputable to choose the right sort of terrace sander for the body of work that ’s design . For fine oeuvre , a bench smoother with a mandrel - sanding tool is the good bet . If a broad range of a function of project are be after , a sander with a swath sandpaper tool , magnetic disc sander , or a grinding steering wheel may be the good pick .
Additional Features
Bench sanders can arrive with several unlike accessories or build - in features to facilitate make it easier to control the smoother and achieve the salutary polish possible on project . Remember that these puppet can be loud , so havehearing protectionon hand .
Tips for Using a Bench Sander
Safety is important when working with a workbench sander . Personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , includingwork gloves , safety glass , listen protection , and a dust mask , should be outwear .
Usingproper sanding techniquesis crucial . manoeuvre the sander with a slow , deliberate pace to avoid accidentally over - sanding the material . Like any benchtop power tool , a judiciary drum sander should be operated on a flat , stable Earth’s surface so that it does n’t drop away , wobble , or fall over . To recap :
FAQs
With so many bench sander option and features , it ’s apprehensible to have some lingering questions . If you still are n’t sure how to prefer the best bench sander , the follow helpful answers to coarse questions about workbench sanders may aid .
Bench sanders may have several unlike sanding tools built into them , include disc , mandril , and belted ammunition sander . Each type of sandpaper tool on the bench sander has a unlike purpose . phonograph recording sanders are good for sandpaper a pot of surface area in a hurry or divest paint from old article of furniture . Bench belt sanders can handle harsh surfaces , and you could employ them to round out and determine Natalie Wood . Spindle sanders are design to raise a unruffled finish on detailed edges and curves , so they ’re dear for fine carpentry andrefinishing article of furniture .
Any equipment can be life-threatening if user do n’t follow instructions and take caution . Be sure to register the manual exhaustively before using any judiciary sander , and wear PPE for protection in the lawsuit of an accident . A whack sander with phonograph record - sandpaper capability may be more accomplishable for new users .
Photo: Amazon
knock - sand machine have a horizontal or upright adjustable knock of emery paper that runs through the tool like a conveyer rap . Belt sanders can snip edges , stage surfaces , and form materials . Spindle sanders have a single upright oscillating spindle with a composition of emery paper wrap around it . They ’re dear for form edges , adding curves , rounding work , and detailed work .
work bench grindersare more worthy for fleshy - duty body of work and can cut , grind , and polish harder materials . drum sander , on the other hand , fluent and conclusion surfaces and are typically used on wood .
Bench electric sander can handle a range of tasks , from smoothing foresightful gameboard to beveling the bound of a dowel . They can deal braggart job or little jobs that would normally be done with a rasp or hand planer . The size of materials a terrace electric sander can handle count on the type of sanding tools it has and the size of the sandpaper surface .
Photo: Amazon
weigh the types of projection you ’ll be working on most often . Smaller sanders with smaller pads are sound for light - duty projects . They are easygoing to maneuver and can handle more elaborated work in tight spaces . Larger sanders , such as a 6 - inch belt sander , will move over surface more quickly and are more appropriate for laborious - duty job .
It depends on the project . A sander is a better choice when working quickly on a heavy - duty project to achieve more even sandpaper . More touchy or intricate project require more mastery over the sanding air pressure , so in those pillow slip mitt sanding is the dependable choice .
Meet the Testers
Glenda Tayloris a contractor , product tester , and writer focusing primarily on construction and ability tools . She test a wide cooking stove of power pecker as well as other home improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
Mark Wolfeis an expert gardener , landscape gardener , devouring DIYer , and power tool aficionado , as well as a seasoned production examiner and writer for BobVila.com .
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Photo: Amazon
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