Over the last year, millions of people have found themselves spending more time than usual at home, which has led to an uptick in DIY projects. Whether you are a project professional who wants to refinish some old wood floors in the living room or are new to woodworking but want to remove the paint from an old coffee table and give it new life, the right tools are crucial for successful projects. The first step to any wood refinishing is getting back down to the raw wood.
So what is the best sander for removing paint from wood? There are hundreds of options on the market, but we will talk about 5 of the best sanders, with a combination of features to fit your needs.
Best Sander for Removing Paint from Wood Reviews
Black+Decker Mouse Detail Sander
The first sander we are going to talk about is the Black+Decker Mouse Detail Sander. At just under 2.5 lbs, this orbital sander is on the lighter side, even for a palm sander. Its compact size, triangular shape, and 3-grip handle make it ideal for tight corners and smaller projects. The Mouse comes with a finger attachment that makes it easy to get into even the tightest corners and curves.
However, the attachment, while useful, is also prone to breaking off. Instead of a typical bag for collecting dust, the Mouse Detail Sander has a hard plastic canister and micro-filtration system, making clean up quick and efficient.
PROS AND CONS
Dewalt Palm Sander 1/4 sheet
Another great orbital sander for paint removal projects is the DeWalt Palm Sander, 1/4 sheet. While a bit heavier than the Mouse at just over 4 lbs, it also operates at double the amps, which allows it to reach 14,000 orbits per minute. Despite its powerhouse motor in a relatively small frame, the Dewalt Palm has a rubber over-mold and a counterweight that absorbs the vibration and makes it smooth and easy to operate.
This sander has a three-point paper clamp system that holds paper firmly in place. One great feature is the locking dust-port that allows you to attach any vacuum with a 1 1/4" hose using a Dewalt universal quick connector and keep your workspace virtually dust-free.
PROS AND CONS
Makita 9403 4" X 24" Belt Sander
13 lbs with a 4-inch belt. In some situations, bigger is better. If you plan on removing paint from a large surface like a cabinet or tabletop, you will appreciate this Makita's 1,640 feet per minute removal rate. This is made possible by an impressive 11 amp motor. In addition to the powerful motor, the Makita 9403 has electronic speed control, and a large front-grip handle to help you maintain a smooth, even pace while sanding.
Although it is on the larger side, this is the quietest belt sander in its class, at only 84 decibels. So while this sander is in an entirely different class than the orbital sanders we've discussed, it is a great option for large-scale paint removal.
PROS AND CONS
Tacklife 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander
Next up is the Tacklife 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander. Unlike the other 2 orbital sanders we have discussed, this one operates with sanding disks, which gives it an advantage when working around curved edges. Another feature that differs from the DeWalt and Black+Decker sanders is that this one comes with 6 different orbital speeds and a control dial within finger reach while operating the sander. The Tacklife advertises a "self-cleaning" system that sucks up the dust as it's created. However, many consumers are less than impressed with the dust-collection bin that fills up quickly and creates maneuverability issues.
A positive feature of the Tacklife's dust-port is its 1-inch diameter that attaches easily to vacuum hoses without the adapter that many other sanders require. So while Tacklife may not have the name recognition of more big-name or popular brands, this is an excellent orbital sander for the price and functionality.
PROS AND CONS
Makita 9903
If you're looking for a belt sander but not excited about the sheer size of the Makita 9403, they also offer the Makita 9903 that is 3.5 lbs lighter and has a 3-inch belt compared to the 9403's 4-inch belt. With the smaller size comes a smaller motor, at 8.8 amps. Like the larger model, the 9903 comes with a front-grip handle for optimum control, and variable speeds for more precise control.
A major difference in the multi-speed features is that while the 9403's speed control is a trigger located on the handle, this model has a speed dial located on the side of the sander. These variable speeds allow you to remove paint between 660 and 1440 feet per minute.
PROS AND CONS
Ultimately, your purchase decision on finding the best sander for removing paint from wood should be made based on your projects and what features are most important to you. Are you interested in up-cycling your kitchen chairs and need to work in small areas with old paint? Or do you want to tackle a big project quickly, but with beautiful, smooth results? Regardless of your project, there is a great electric sander to fit your paint removal needs. And don't forget to use high quality sandpaper otherwise the quality of the sander doesn't matter! Good Luck
