Which sander is better, eccentric or vibration sander?

Choosing a grinder

Let's understand the types and features
To make a choice, you need to clearly understand the purpose of each type of grinding machine. At first glance, the operating principle of grinding machines is the same - grinding the surface of a material using abrasive equipment. For each specific task, one type of sander will perform brilliantly, while another will not give the expected result. For example, eccentric machines cannot process internal corners, but vibrating sanders can do this. Let's look at the types of grinding machines and determine the scope of application of each of them.

Examples of models for specific tasks

When choosing a CMM, you need to accurately determine the tasks to be performed. As an example, we can look at a specific situation: a car grinder - which one is better.

For car repair and polishing

For initial processing, you can select the Sturm BS8511U unit. It is ideal for initial cleaning of metal surfaces and stripping off paintwork. This is a very useful unit if you need to repaint certain parts of the car after cleaning the surface first.

Unfortunately, the unit is not suitable for final polishing. Therefore, for further car repairs, you can use a special machine UPN 1200/180 Em 00000020585, designed for polishing.

The information provided is enough to understand what types of grinders there are and to independently choose a unit for your home, garden or professional needs.

Source

General Features

• Most modern grinders are equipped with a dust removal system: a construction vacuum cleaner is connected through a special connection or the kit includes a dust collection bag. This makes the work process cleaner, the tool itself is better controlled, and the consumption of abrasive equipment is reduced.
• Based on the type of power supply, machines are divided into mains-powered and battery-powered. The advantages and disadvantages of cordless grinders are obvious - mobility and independence from the mains, but operating time is limited by battery charge.

Random orbital sanders

Random orbital sanders are considered the most effective and versatile tool for polishing and grinding surfaces. In industrial production and private use they show the best results in surface quality.

Polishing and grinding are possible thanks to a combination of rotational and eccentric movements of the soleplate. The sole rotates in orbit and simultaneously scrolls around its axis. This complex movement of the abrasive allows for efficient grinding with minimal imperfections.

The machine weighs from 1 to 3 kg, is equipped with a round sole with Velcro, to which an abrasive wheel on a felt basis is attached. The soles come in two sizes - diameter: 125 and 150 mm. Machines with a 125 mm soleplate are lighter, designed for smaller areas and for more delicate work than sanders with a 150 mm soleplate. Electric motors consume between 200 and 900 watts - more power means more performance. When installing the equipment, it is important that the holes on the sander sole coincide with the holes in the abrasive wheel, otherwise the dust removal process will be difficult.

They are used for rough or fine grinding on large surfaces, for interlayer processing of materials and coatings, for polishing, processing large surfaces along and across the grain. Often machines of this type are used in carpentry and car painters. Using ESM, volumetric, profile and curved surfaces are processed. When working with an eccentric sander, it is unlikely to damage the workpiece: make abrasions, burn the material, or overdo it with the grinding depth. The noise and vibration levels are lower than other types of grinding machines.

The disadvantages are obvious: eccentric machines are not suitable for processing internal corners and recesses. Productivity is low compared to belt sanders.

Manufacturers rating

• Bosch. This brand is engaged in the production of electronic PSMs for carpentry experts. The range includes models with a platform measuring up to 92x182 mm, developing up to 22,000 rpm with a power of 300 W. Easy-to-change equipment is complemented here by the greatest convenience when performing narrow sanding of wood and plastic.

• DeWalt. This is a South American brand specializing in the production of professional surface grinders. The models are adapted for long-term work, including on a construction site or in large premises. They help achieve flawless smoothness without effort.

• Makita. This Japanese manufacturer presents a wide range of products, providing a very comfortable choice of PShM for different purposes. The machines are equipped with modern control systems, strong high-speed motors, and dust extractors. The set of equipment is one of the richest.

• Metabo. This German brand is mostly focused on producing eccentric models, but its range also includes surface grinding equipment. The ergonomic body, compact dimensions and adjustable intensity make it a good choice for amateurs and experts.

• Ryobi. This is a Japanese manufacturer that relies on innovation. The machines have a special non-slip coating on the handle and use a completely new dust removal system.

• "Fiolent". This is quite an exciting manufacturer, which has recently received Russian “registration”. Its model range includes heavy and massive machines for scraping floors and other work that requires long, continuous exposure to the surface of the material. The platform has a large power reserve, but there is no excessive vibration.

• "Interskol". This is a manufacturer that produces its products for the domestic market. The range of models includes technologically noteworthy solutions with built-in dust extractors, elements that dampen vibration and noise. Powerful vibratory sanders are equipped with soleplates or cast aluminum, which last a very long time. The kit includes a power button lock, which is irreplaceable for long-term continuous operation of the device.

• "Fiolent". This is quite an exciting manufacturer, which has recently received Russian “registration”. Its model range includes heavy and massive machines for scraping floors and other work that requires long, continuous exposure to the surface of the material. The platform has a large power reserve, but there is no excessive vibration.

How to choose a grinder. Types of grinders based on operating principle.

This carefully describes what types of grinders there are, and discusses the operating mechanism of each type.

Random orbital sanders

While introducing you to the principle of their operation, it is worth mentioning this type of sander that is used from time to time, such as orbital sanders. In orbital sanders, the circular working surface rotates around its own axis. But that's not great enough. The round working surface of eccentric machines, in addition to rotational ones, also performs oscillatory movements, combining orbital and non-rotational types of movement. Such a complex movement path allows for more uniform grinding of the curved-convex surface being processed with uniform use of abrasive. To put it another way, the scope of activity of eccentric sanders is very extensive. They cope well with various curved surfaces and are not good for cleaning, sanding, polishing wood, metal, plastic products, and additionally for particularly fine sanding.

Just like when using vibrating grinders, when selecting an eccentric grinder, it is necessary to note the amplitude of oscillations and not the power. The 1st varies from 3 to 7 mm. The next reason is from 170 to 750 W. The higher the speed of movement of the working surface, the faster the processing occurs and the rougher the grinding. More powerful machines have slightly higher performance. Just as in the case of a passage with vibrating machines, fastening of replaceable sheets to the sole of eccentric devices occurs using a clamp or Velcro.

The braking system, which prevents the disc with abrasive from spinning idle, will help to avoid unnecessary disadvantages of not scratching the surface being treated. It is also worth asking whether the machine is equipped with a speed controller. Low speeds are necessary for rough processing without sanding painted surfaces, high speeds are necessary for hard wood species without finishing work.

A small addition: there are two types of eccentric sanders. The first ones - with a handle for the palm, light, compact. 2nd - with a classic handle. If you have to do delicate delicate work, it is better to trust first. They will help polish the most inaccessible places on objects. But machines with a classic handle are excellent at processing large surfaces.

Used as a candidate for manual labor, a vibration grinding machine is a tool with a flat working platform on which special consumables are attached to perform operations to clean the surface and make it smooth. Affordable price, functionality and reliability make it a beautiful choice for the home workshop. The technical features of flat sanders for wood allow them to successfully handle large volumes of work, ensuring the highest quality of surface treatment of the material without significant time costs.

Surface grinders (vibrating)

These machines weigh from 1 to 3 kg and are equipped with a rectangular sole with a clamping mechanism at the edges that secures the sanding paper. There are models with the ability to fix the equipment to the sole using Velcro.

The sole makes reciprocating movements in a circular orbit, due to this grinding or polishing is carried out. The power of the electric motor of this tool is from 150 to 600 W. The sole comes in two types: standard - 100 x 200 mm, and mini - miniature versions with a base of about 100 x 100 mm.

The choice here is simple: mini surface grinders are suitable for narrow spaces, they are lighter and more maneuverable than standard ones.

Designed for delicate processing of large flat surfaces. They occupy an intermediate place in terms of the cleanliness of processing parts between belt and eccentric ones. Using a surface grinder, finishing sanding of various surfaces is carried out: wood, plastic, stone.

Advantages: the ability to grind and polish internal corners, availability of consumables and moderate cost of the grinder itself.

Disadvantages: high noise relative to orbital ones.

Comparison with other models

It is worth considering how a vibrating surface grinder differs from eccentric and belt models. It is considered a more universal option, allowing you to diversify the level of surface treatment. The belt sander is easy to use with objects that have a uniform texture and is suitable for rough finishing. The surface grinding option allows you to achieve results regardless of the initial smoothness of the coating.

Eccentric models have their own characteristics. They are designed primarily for working on large surfaces and allow for successful final finishing. An eccentric sander is suitable for processing parquet floors. But it will not help when working with other, more rigid materials. Whereas a surface grinding unit will ensure successful processing even on the surface of fragile plastic or very corroded metal.

In practice, a vibrating PM is somewhere between belt and eccentric models in terms of its functionality. They can be used to successfully finish surfaces of different sizes. Mini versions successfully handle narrow areas of material, difficult and inaccessible places. The adjustable rotation frequency makes the PShM very comfortable for working with surfaces that have a non-uniform texture.

Delta vibratory sanders

The peculiarity of this instrument is its compact, lightweight body - the instrument weighs up to 1 kg; delta-shaped sanding pad, which is why these machines are called “iron”. Electric motor power up to 300 W. Grinding in hard-to-reach places is carried out due to the fact that the triangular sole makes rapid vibrations with a small amplitude. The accessories (sanding sheets) for this tool are not sold everywhere and are more expensive than paper-based sanding belts or grinding wheels.

Using a delta sander, fine grinding of protrusions, blind corners, edges, profiles, cleaning of exposed glue, processing of objects with small parts and complex surfaces are performed.

The delta-shaped orbital sander is especially good in carpentry, furniture making, stairs, and automotive body work; it is used as a main tool or in addition to eccentric or orbital sanders.

Surface grinding or vibrating models

Surface grinding mechanisms have a rectangular base, onto which sandpaper of the desired grain size is fixed with special clamps.

Photo: surface or vibration grinders

The PShM is characterized by a reciprocating working stroke in a circle. Electric motor power – 150-600 W.

Key Features:

• amplitude of platform movement. It differs for different models, but is always small. For mechanisms of average mobility, the amount of movement is 1-3 mm, for more maneuverable ones – 5-6 mm. A high amplitude number results in a faster grinding process, but the machined surface has a rough texture.
• speed of the sole. In the high-speed operating mode, the thick layer is quickly removed, and at a slow pace, finishing processing is performed. Some models have a platform speed regulator, which allows the use of a grinding machine for working with surfaces made of various materials;
• sole size. There are two variations – standard (100×200 mm), mini (100×100 mm). Inexpensive devices have steel, high-strength plastic platforms. Expensive models are equipped with cast platforms made of alloys based on magnesium or aluminum. A high-quality sole has excellent balancing, which can be determined by weak vibration when the device is idling. A porous plastic pad “holds” the plane much better than a rubber pad. Mini PShMs are used for grinding tight areas, and with a standard sole for large spaces.

Application

Suitable for finishing large surfaces of wood, plastic, and stone. The quality of grinding is inferior to belt units, but better than eccentric devices.

Main advantages:

• possibility of finishing internal corners;
• low price of consumables;
• budget cost.

The disadvantages are that they are noisier than orbital mechanisms.

Delta vibratory sanders

The delta grinding unit has a triangular platform, so such mechanisms are convenient for processing corners and hard-to-reach areas. It has a convenient lightweight body, equipment weight is no more than 1 kg, motor power is up to 300 kW.

Photo: delta grinders

Thanks to the triangular platform, which performs high-speed oscillatory movements with low amplitude, polishing hard-to-reach areas is possible.

Sanding sheets for this equipment are difficult to find and are much more expensive than paper belt abrasives or round attachments.

Application

Using a delta-shaped apparatus they grind:

• blind corners;
• profiles;
• projections;
• edges.

Remove protruding adhesive particles and also process complex surfaces with small elements. They have proven themselves well in the carpentry and furniture industry, in the manufacture of stairs, as well as in automobile body work. Can be used as a main tool or in combination with orbital or eccentric sanders.

Belt sanders

In belt sanders, the equipment, an abrasive belt glued together in the form of an endless ring, moves in one direction along two end rollers, one driving, the other rotating freely. Linear grinding and high abrasive speed provide high productivity, but at the same time require increased control over the grinding process. Blade blades weigh up to 7 kg, and the electric motor power varies from 500 to 1500 W.

The three main standards of belt sanders are distinguished by the length of the sanding belt: 457 mm, 533 mm, 610 mm.

Belt sanders are suitable for rough grinding of surfaces made of wood, metal, plastic, and mineral building materials. Often used when removing old paint or varnish, leveling putty. Due to its high productivity, a large amount of material is quickly removed, and in combination with coarse-grained abrasive, the belt sander can perform the function of an electric planer. The quality of grinding is not the best indicator of this tool; cavities and scratches often appear during processing. Effective for sanding glued panels and processing convex-shaped parts. There are models with the ability to work upside down, stationary.

This tool is not suitable for delicate grinding and requires special control when working. It can leave indentations in the material and, due to the specific nature of the sole, belt sanders do not sand enough in the corners. High noise levels and frequent clogging of the dust drain are the disadvantages of this tool.

Electric file

There are special-purpose belt sanders, so-called belt files or electric files. Often used for cleaning welds and grinding materials in hard-to-reach places. Only certain equipment with a width of 9 to 30 mm is suitable for electric files. Such belt sanders weigh much lighter than conventional ones - 1-2 kg.

Types, purpose, features of work

There are different types of sanders that do the same type of work but with different results. There are tools for coarse (preliminary), medium (intermediate) and fine (finish) grinding. Part of the tool can even perform polishing.

A wood sanding machine can be of different shapes, sizes, and performance.

To choose a wood sander, you first need to decide what type of work you need it for. For rough grinding - leveling out unevenness, differences in height - one type is suitable, for finishing grinding - bringing it to perfection - another type. Moreover, both problems can be solved using different types of equipment.

Angle grinder - angle grinder

The well-known grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the rough grinding function. Of all the possible tools, this is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces - sanding the floor, wall, frame - this is work for an angle grinder. The downside is that the surface turns out to be very uneven, and it takes a long time to level out all the holes and humps. If this still “passes” on the log house, then the result for any carpentry work is unsatisfactory. Unless you can purchase another tool, you should not use an angle grinder for sanding wood.

For wood, use red sanding wheels - this is a special abrasive

There are special attachments for grinders for sanding wood. The best option is flap or disc wheels with sandpaper of different grits. When they are installed, the working plane is below the protective casing, it is safe to work, and you can move in any direction. Carefully handle areas with protruding nail heads and screws. We lower the tool from above and carefully move it. A sharp movement can easily break the grinding wheel, so be careful.

By changing the grain size of the grinding wheels used, you can carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than if you use any other wood sander. But it may take more time to bring it to a smooth surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.

When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged and the speed of work decreases. In addition to a decrease in speed, there is another sign - the smell of burnt wood. It is not necessary to immediately change the disk; you can restore its functionality. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything stuck to it—resin, wood fibers, dust—burns off, the surface is cleaned, and the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders.

This attachment is used if you need to quickly change sandpaper.

If you have to clean and change the wheels frequently, install a Velcro attachment on the grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster - unstick/stick in a matter of seconds. But working with the nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing; it does not fulfill its functions. During the launch, it happens that a precariously fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They weigh little, the injuries are not serious, but they are still injuries. An angle grinder with a smooth start helps reduce risks, but, all the same, you need to work with gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your feet, and safety glasses.

Belt sander

It is called so because the sandpaper has the shape of a belt that moves continuously using rollers. That’s why such a wood grinder is also called “endless.”

The wood belt sander is designed for rough and intermediate surface leveling. By installing sandpaper with a finer grain, you can achieve a medium-finish finish. This is sufficient for joinery that cannot be painted. To bring it to perfect condition, you need a different type of wood sander. Moreover, to eliminate long longitudinal scratches, you will have to carry out step-by-step grinding, changing the grain size several times - the scratches remain deep.

A belt sander is good if you need to remove the old coating - paint and varnish

What are the benefits of a belt sander for wood? It has good performance. The tape on it is installed in such a way that one side allows you to sand close to the wall. What are its disadvantages? Due to the design, not all points can be “reached”. For example, corners, shaped recesses, grooves and other small parts. It is not always possible to “climb” between two parts (when processing railings, for example). Another drawback is that most belt sanders have a considerable weight, and it is difficult to work with them while sanding vertical surfaces. But on the horizontal plane they are the most productive.

The following disadvantages are a high noise level, not the largest grinding spot. It is so noisy that working without headphones is extremely uncomfortable. Why is there a small sanding spot when it looks quite large? Even with a large belt width, it grinds only in the center - the part in front and behind is not used due to the fact that it is raised to feed the rollers.

It can be turned into a grinding machine

The wood belt sander has some special features in its operation. To reduce the depth of the furrows it leaves, it must be driven along the fibers. Then finishing sanding takes less time. And one more thing - if you get lazy while working and leave the machine in one place for a long time, a solid “hole” will form. Despite this, this is the most productive wood sander that is often used.

Orbital (eccentric)

An orbital sander for wood has a round sole with Velcro, onto which sandpaper discs are attached. The discs are the same as for the grinder, so they are interchangeable. There are holes in the sole of the machine to remove dust. The dust is collected in a bag, a cassette-type container; almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.

An eccentric sander allows you to process curved surfaces

The operation of an eccentric wood sander is based on simultaneous rotation and back-and-forth movement (reciprocating motion). This achieves a fairly good speed for intermediate and finishing wood processing. When working with this type of grinder, the platform moves in a spiral or orbit. That’s why these tools are also called orbital sanders.

Eccentric grinders are good for processing curved or profile surfaces - the machine is light in weight, makes little noise, is easy to control, and the angle of the disc allows you to reach recesses, notches, etc. With all this, she also processes large surfaces at a good pace. When installed, coarse-grain sandpaper can be used for both coarse and intermediate sanding. The speed is lower than that of the tape one, but still quite acceptable. There are such machines with different radius of movement (eccentricity) - from 3 to 8 mm. Selecting this parameter determines the main purpose (more on this below).

There are small and compact ones, there are powerful ones with decent dimensions.

The disadvantages of this type of machine are the inability to work in corners. The round platform simply does not fit there. Also, there is an area of ​​uncertain sanding along the edges—it won’t be possible to sand close to a wall or vertical surface.

Vibrating

The vibratory sander pad can be rectangular or triangular. When working, it makes circular movements with a small amplitude - it vibrates, which gives this type of equipment its name. This wood sander is used for fine finishing - for varnishing or painting, but is characterized by low productivity.

A vibrating wood sander with a rectangular surface allows you to process large areas, but with its help it is not possible to sand wood near vertical planes and walls - it begins to hit the obstacle. In this regard, the triangular one is more suitable for working in corners and hard-to-reach places, but you still can’t fit it tightly to the wall.

Vibrating machine is used for finishing

Another disadvantage of vibration devices is the so-called “lamb”. If a grain of sand or other hard fragment gets under the surface, it leaves small circles on the wood - “lambs”. It is difficult to remove these marks. You have to use increasingly finer sandpaper, gradually removing scratches. But if in the process something gets under the sole again, the process is repeated again. Therefore, before work, the surface is thoroughly cleaned and a vacuum cleaner is usually connected to quickly and timely remove foreign fragments.

Oscillatory

Strictly speaking, this is not a sander, but it can be used for sanding. Moreover, those places that are inaccessible for other types of machines - corners (even sharp ones), places directly next to vertical walls. For grinding, a specially shaped triangular platform is installed on the tool, on which sandpaper on a self-adhesive base is fixed.

This is what a multifunctional renovator looks like, which has a grinding function

During operation, the platform moves in a horizontal plane with a very small amplitude - the vertices of the triangle deviate by approximately 1.7° (this is an average of 2.5 mm). Due to this small movement, grinding occurs. This machine can be used for sanding in corners and close to vertical surfaces. Moreover, you can remove not only wood, but also smeared and dried glue. In general, an oscillating machine is used for finishing grinding in hard-to-reach places - due to low productivity and the sanding spot, it is unrealistically long to process more or less large surfaces with it.

What type of sander to choose

To summarize, we can say that for housework and construction work, ideally you need two sanding machines - for rough and fine finishing. The most commonly used pair is tape + eccentric. If you are planning to start making furniture, then you cannot do without an oscillator.

If you do not like the result of the belt sander, you can purchase two orbital sanders with different eccentricities. For rough grinding, a tool with an eccentricity of 6-8 mm is suitable, for finishing grinding and even polishing - 2-4 mm. The only disadvantage of this solution is that good eccentric grinders are expensive.

If the budget is limited, and the farm has an angle grinder, rough grinding can be done with its help, and for intermediate or finishing use orbital or vibration. Just keep in mind that vibration is the least productive, although it is the cheapest. If possible, buy an orbital one - it is more versatile and gives better results.

Making a choice

Having decided on the task and type, we make a choice in favor of a specific model of grinding machine. If you have to work with the tool in weight, with outstretched arms, you need to pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the grinder. It is better to make a choice in favor of a light, compact, faster machine, albeit less powerful. If the work will mainly be done on a workbench, choose a machine with more weight and more power. It won’t hurt to turn the machine in your hands before buying, to understand how comfortable the handles are for you, whether the switches are conveniently located, how quickly and easily the equipment can be changed. Check the moving parts for play, visually inspect the body of the machine, look at the accuracy of the fit of the parts. Turn it on, at least at idle speed, to assess the noise and vibration levels. Inquire in advance about the availability and cost of consumables and equipment, such as spare soles.

Watch the video and make your choice

Classification of tools

In stores you can find grinding machines designed for household or professional needs. Each type has its own characteristics, which it is advisable to know about before purchasing.

Household

A household tool is chosen if you have to work with it irregularly. On average, CMMs are designed to operate for 20 hours per month from 220 V, which is much less when compared with professional samples.

Every 15 minutes of working with a household grinder, you must stop for 10-15 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the engine.

Attention! Manufacturers do not recommend working with the device for more than 3 hours during the day. If you need more, you will have to abandon the household device in favor of a more serious one.

The advantages of a household unit are its affordable price and ease of operation.

Professional

This type of tool is designed to work continuously for a long time. Typically, professional grinding machines are used in production. They are much more reliable than household ones because they are made from higher quality materials.

The equipment is designed for multi-shift work in intensive mode. The devices are quite large, since a more powerful motor is located inside the case.

When developing a grinding machine for professional use, not only production requirements are taken into account, but also criteria such as convenience and safety. Therefore, manufacturers produce equipment that creates a minimum of vibration.

Sander: vibrating or eccentric

Author: Alexey Ryndya

Expert in the “Power Tools” category

To obtain an even and perfectly smooth surface when sanding, I always recommend that craftsmen use two sanders. One is for initial, rough stripping, the other is for final stripping.

If everything is clear with the initial processing - here you need to take a belt sander, then when bringing the surface to perfection, you can use one of two types:

Vibratory (another name is surface grinding, or abbreviated as PShM);

Both are designed for sanding substrates when completing work. Which of these machines is better in which situation - an orbital or an eccentric sander? – I will tell you today in this article.

Main types

Depending on the work that needs to be done, you need to look for special types of sanders. They are divided into seven varieties.

Eccentric

The peculiarity of the sample is the eccentric, with which you can make circular or reciprocating movements. This gives the user additional options when sanding.

Eccentric unit

The equipment is used for processing curved or profile surfaces, it can be used for grinding, cleaning or polishing various materials (parquet processing, for example). The power of such units ranges from 170 to 750 W.

Sometimes users look for the differences between an orbital sander and an eccentric sander. This should not be done, since it is all one unit, called differently.

Surface grinders

This pattern is also called a vibration pattern. Used for finishing. Can process plastic, wood, metal, stone and composite materials.

The equipment is equipped with a soft sole, with the help of which they perform forward-return movements, but you will have to use a small amplitude with high speed. The greater the amplitude of movement, the rougher the surface treatment will be.

Users often wonder which sander is better - an eccentric or an oscillating sander. It all depends on the specific situation; you need to base your choice on the surface that needs to be processed (grinded).

If you need to know which sander to choose for wood, vibrating or eccentric, then it is advisable to opt for the second option. In this case, sanding gives better results.

Deltoid vibrators

Ideal for processing hard-to-reach surfaces. They are not much different from the vibration version, except for the sole, which has a triangular shape.

For reference! Features of the sanding machine - due to the shape of the sole, it can be placed in the most inaccessible places.

Tape

Used for rough surface treatment. CMM is often used in interior decoration (ceilings, walls).

The tape rotates on rollers. The movement speed can reach 400 m/min. The downside is that after work, marks will appear in the form of scratches and small indentations.

Important! If you need to decide which is better - a belt or eccentric sander, and which one to choose, then you first need to identify your tasks.

Brush sanders

The tool weighs approximately 4 kg, so you can use it without strong pressure. The equipment is equipped with several handles to facilitate operation.

It is used to treat wooden surfaces if it is necessary to remove a layer of varnish or paint from them. You can also get rid of rust on metal. On sale you can find composite, nylon and metal brushes for the unit. There are electric and autonomous devices.

Straight grinders

The design feature is an elongated body. The equipment lies very easily in the hand and allows you to work in the narrowest spaces.

For a grinding machine, you need to buy special abrasive stones that are fixed on the head of the device. You can use circles or brushes.

Important! Typically, CMM is used for final processing of materials with complex topography.

Concrete grinders

The power and productivity of the device is much higher than that of other options, since the hardest materials can be processed. Externally, the machine looks like a large lawn mower with a large “drum” in the front.

The equipment is quite expensive, the average price for 2022 is 60,000 rubles.

Design differences between the two machines

Both machines are capable of delicately sanding the surface with sandpaper. In fact, they do the same job, but there is a difference between them. They differ in both shape and operating principle. The surface of a PSM is often rectangular (but can be deltoid or square). And the eccentric one has a round sole. Therefore, depending on the complexity of the grinding work and the shape of the workpiece, you choose a machine with a convenient sole shape. For example, steps or shelves can be easily sanded with a grinding machine; thanks to the angular sole, they can be reached into any corner.

The eccentric machine is used for working with both flat surfaces and radii, as well as wooden parts of various shapes. Orbital and eccentric sanders are used in construction workshops; in car repair shops they perform not only finishing work for sanding wood, but are also convenient for various types of finishing work. But still, their main purpose is to ideally prepare the surface for painting or give the part the required shape.

Essentially, these are two identical tools, but there are some differences. A surface (vibrating) sander can handle any surface: wood, plastic, metal, walls (plasterboard). But she does it a little rudely, unlike ESM. In turn, an orbital sander will perform this entire list of work more delicately due to the fact that it has an additional rotation function, which helps hide sanding marks.

Frequently asked questions about grinding tools

What is the difference between an angle grinder and a grinder?

An angle grinder (grinder) is designed to cut and grind materials, including wood, metal and concrete. A grinding tool (belt, vibrating, eccentric) is needed to carry out delicate grinding of surfaces and eliminate the smallest irregularities. Unlike saw (cutting) discs or bowls, which are needed for grinders, grinding tools use grinding wheels made of sandpaper or polishing wheels made of felt and wool.

What are oscillating sanders needed for?

Vibrating machines are needed for processing flat surfaces, eliminating unevenness and roughness. Their rectangular or deltoid shape allows them to reach corners and places that a round sole cannot reach.

How to lubricate the grinder gearbox?

When purchasing a tool from a certain brand, check which lubricant the manufacturer recommends for it. In any case, it is better to use branded oils than to experiment with lubricants yourself.

Pay attention to the parameters when choosing a grinder

It should be noted that both of these grinders mostly perform finishing work, and if you have the task of performing work on a large scale, then the wrong choice will bring you not only financial losses, but also wasted time.

Vibrating or eccentric sanders can have different purposes:

• For household use;
• Professional scope of application.

When choosing a grinder, you should pay attention to the following technical characteristics:

1. Platform stroke amplitude. This is one of the main characteristics of grinding machines. The average vibration value is 2-3 mm. The higher the amplitude, the higher the performance of the grinder, but the grinding becomes much coarser. That is, if you need a grinder for primary processing, pay attention to models with high amplitude. For finishing, on the contrary, machines with an amplitude of 2 mm and below;
2. Sole size. PShM and EShM soles come in different sizes and shapes, although there are generally accepted standards - for eccentric diameters 122 and 150 mm, for PShM 187x90, 115x230, 114x105 mm. Models with small soles will help when working in hard-to-reach places;
3. Speed ​​adjustment. Thanks to this function, you can configure the operation of the machine - primary or finishing processing, and also select the optimal speed for grinding a particular material. For example, if we are sanding soft wood or plywood, then it is recommended to select medium speed, and if hard wood – high;
4. Power. The power consumption of machines can vary from 130 to 900 W. But, as a rule, for most work, a power of 200-300 W is quite enough, because such models are light and compact, easy to control, and work with them is more comfortable;
5. Attaching sanding paper. Manufacturers have provided 2 types of fastening for a surface grinder: a clamp (similar to a regular latch with a spring, which is found on most household-grade sanders) and Velcro (less hassle with it, since you don’t have to cut the paper, it has a standard size, but the cost of such machines , as well as consumables, above).
6. Additional handle. For PShM and EShM, the additional handle is either cast or removable. If it is removable, this reduces the size of the device and allows you to use the tool with one hand. This is convenient when sanding small parts.

Which grinder should I choose for my home?

For home use, you don’t need the most powerful model, since you are unlikely to perform large volumes of work. However, you still need to approach the choice responsibly, paying attention to additional functions and protective systems.

Belt sanding machine for home

You can choose a machine with a power of no more than 1 kW. This is quite enough to perform even complex procedures. Moreover, such indicators already include the “reserve” necessary to ensure that the tool does not wear out. The maximum belt speed can be about 260 m/min. It is very good if the machine has a speed controller that will allow you to select the desired mode for processing various materials.

Vibratory Sander for Home

An oscillating sander for the home has 300 watts to cover all your woodworking needs. This power is enough for the tool to produce up to 26,000 vibrations per minute. Please note that there is a power regulator. The type of attachment of the consumable to the sole also matters. Alligator clips will require a little more time to change the sandpaper, but they will wear out slower than Velcro.

Random orbital sander for home

For domestic use, a power of 500 W and a rotation speed of 13 thousand rpm is enough. To get a high-quality result, choose a model with a suitable oscillation frequency (a good indicator is up to 26,000) and rotation (up to 13,000), which can be adjusted.

Basic principles of grinding

These two types of grinders differ significantly in the grinding principle. First, let's review the vibrating tool. The mechanism of operation is quite simple; to clean the surface, reciprocating movements with an amplitude from 1-3 (low-power) to 5-8 mm (powerful) are used. This allows you to cope well with a metal surface or plastic, unlike ESM. However, PShM leaves marks on wood and is not suitable for opening with varnish, but only for coating with paint.

The principle of operation of an ESM is that with the help of a round sole, not only vibration occurs, but also rotation around its own axis. Thanks to this double movement, the ESM perfectly prepares the surface for varnishing. During operation, it leaves no sanding marks at all. Models of this type ideally create the effect of abrasive grinding. Widely used for furniture restoration or decoration.

What are they?

Flat Vibratory Sander

created for use in combination with different materials. For woodworking, models with the largest platform and a huge power reserve are selected. They allow you to successfully process even corner areas of floors and walls. Mini versions are comfortable when used in inaccessible places, have a small-sized platform and low power. For metal work, PShMs are used in auto repair shops, as well as in the production of doors and fence structures.

Using the equipment, you can remove old paintwork, remove scratches, traces of corrosion and oxidation. A triangular or deltoid sole is irreplaceable when restoring old furniture and interior items. With its help, it is convenient to remove paint from window frames and door jambs. Models with additional equipment can work with a round nozzle and replace eccentric analogues.

Wood sanders: rating of the best and tips for choosing

Sanding is the last operation before finishing the wood. The final appearance of the finished product depends on its quality. In industrial conditions, the process is performed on stationary equipment, which is not available to home craftsmen. However, modern hand tools make it possible to obtain a smooth surface whose parameters are in no way inferior to the results of processing on professional machines.

There is a large selection of grinding machines of different designs on sale. All of them are capable of performing tasks of varying degrees of complexity and quality. Depending on the technology requirements, models with different methods and quality of wood processing can be used. Let's take a closer look at them.

Types of cars

There are several main types of sanders for household use on sale. Each grinding machine has its own design features and mechanism of action.

For carpentry, joinery, construction and repair work, the following types of power tools are chosen:

• a belt sander for wood (LSM) is designed to perform rough and aggressive processing of surfaces, including plastic and metal;
• Brush sanders allow you to highlight the texture of wood, removing more soft fibers, and remove layers of varnish and old paint. The working part is a roller on which a metal or abrasive nylon brush is mounted;
• An orbital grinder (VShM) is used for a softer finish. Gentle processing occurs due to circular movements and the small amplitude of the working tool. The sole has a rectangular shape, which makes cleaning corners easier;
• delta sander is a type of flat orbital sander with a triangular base. This device is suitable for processing hard-to-reach places and small areas, as well as recesses, corners, and irregularities;
• An eccentric sander is a power tool that allows you to bring the surface being treated to an ideal condition, including plywood. This task is accomplished through the rotational and oscillatory movements of the sanding pad. The device has a high degree of productivity, but cannot be used for cleaning internal corners and small surfaces.

A wood sander is an indispensable tool for processing walls, floors, interior items and other decorative elements. It can speed up the process of grinding and polishing surfaces made of natural materials several times.

What are these devices?

Hand grinders are compact and lightweight analogues of industrial designs. All of them process surfaces with an abrasive material - sandpaper. There are different options for using this material, and corresponding tools are made for each of them.

They have different designs designed to perform specific tasks:

Types, classification

There are different designs of grinding machines. They are used to process not only wood, but also other materials. Let's take a closer look at them:

Belt sanders (LSM)

The prototype of such structures is the stationary machine ShLPS, the working part of which is a large loop of sanding tape. A hand tool is much more compact, but works on the same principle. It has two drums - drive and tension, on which ready-made loops are installed.

They are commercially available and designed for use on appropriately sized instruments. In addition, it is possible to manually glue loops from rolled sandpaper, which is cheaper and is often used by craftsmen to save money, as well as to obtain the desired result.

Grinding dust, of which a lot is generated, is collected either in a special dust collector or removed using an industrial vacuum cleaner connected to the corresponding pipe on the back of the tool body.

The main operating mode is manual, but most tools can be installed in special stands. They make it possible to eliminate the formation of irregularities or dents by limiting the feed of the tape to the workpiece in a perpendicular plane. There are also devices like clamps that hold the tool in a stationary position. A blade mounted in such a clamp is made like a stationary machine and allows you to process small parts, holding them in your hands or resting on special stands.

Vibrating (surface grinding) machines

The principle of operation of such a tool is to move a flat sole (or platform), which makes small circular movements. It does not rotate around its axis, moving with the help of an eccentric. The vibration is small (usually about 2 mm), but this is quite enough for processing wooden (or other) surfaces.

What is the difference between an orbital and an orbital sander?

What is the difference between an orbital and an eccentric sander? There is a tape one. And what kind of work are they intended for, and which is better - round or rectangular skins?

2Serdjio. “round or rectangular?” Different skins are important, all kinds of skins are needed. (smiley) IMHO. I like “triangular” ones more and more. All manufacturers have machines with such a platform (iron, triangle). it is more convenient to grind in inconvenient places, etc. . I have both a flat and an “iron”. So sometimes I catch myself thinking that I could get by with just one “triangular” one. Only, of course, in a “brandier” way. for example, the delta from Milwaukee or Festula is the same machine.

As I understand it, vibration and eccentric and delto grinding machines operate on the same principle - vibration, oscillatory movements.

What is better to buy for a home workshop or for a summer cottage?

Somehow I liked the AEGeshnaya round one better. The other day I looked at it in Leroy.

And another question: does a belt grind much faster? Am I right? Are these machines designed for finer, finer finishes?

2Serdjio. Surface grinders work on the same principle. and “triangles”, the difference is only in the shape of the sole, and the ESM also has a rotational movement along an “ambiguous” amplitude. LSM - rather for rough (larger) removal. but you can use very fine (grain) tape and grind it until it shines. It is optimal (IMHO) to have three machines: LSM, ESHM and DELTA (triug). Festul has a machine in which both pshm and eshm are collected into one. Name. Rotex-90. (more precisely (numbers and letters) see on the website

BlackDecker has an interesting model, a universal sander “>, although it costs a little less than a hundred bucks

Please tell me, should the ESH always rotate, or... The essence of the question is this: I purchased some kind of cheap eccentric sander, basically for a one-time job. I stuck the skin on it and turned it on. The circle with the sandpaper is spinning, but only while I am holding the machine up. As soon as I start grinding, the rotational movement stops and only vibration remains. I don’t put much pressure on the machine, and you can simply stop the rotation mid-air by grabbing the disk with your bare hand. Is this how it should be? !

Arbitration manager, bankruptcy and everything connected with it.

Stavrast, thanks for the prompt response. And what then is the fundamental difference between an electric grinder and a vibratory grinder if the electric grinder still doesn’t spin? For some reason I thought that it should rotate.

Clown wrote: the rotational movement stops and only vibration remains. I don’t put much pressure on the machine, and you can simply stop the rotation mid-air by grabbing the disk with your bare hand. Is this how it should be? !

No . Most likely the screw that secures the platform to the eccentric is loose or loose.

Clown wrote: For some reason I thought it should rotate.

I'll get better - I said bullshit, no

JAZZ wrote: attaches the platform to the eccentric

and the eccentric is on the bearing - it slips and the plate does not spin. If you are not afraid of the warranty, unscrew the 4 screws that secure the platform to the eccentric. remove the platform - there is a screw in the center - that's what it is, you need to tighten it, if that doesn't help, try using a thin washer.

JAZZ, thank you! I probably won’t take it apart and tighten it, especially since I’ve already polished everything I wanted with an angle grinder. I'll take it back to the store and let them figure out why it won't spin.

Clown wrote: Stavrast, thanks for the prompt response. And what then is the fundamental difference between an electric grinder and a vibratory grinder if the electric grinder still doesn’t spin? For some reason I thought that it should rotate.

My pleasure. Or rather, they said above there should be rotation, but slow. You can stop it with your hand. There is no direct drive from rotation, it is due to vibrations.

Arbitration manager, bankruptcy and everything connected with it.

Stavrast wrote: Or rather, they said above there should be rotation, but slow.

Let me add... the problem is with these rotations.

. like uv. Eddie looked into it in detail and described it about 2 years ago.. I can say that my small ESM (medium brand) behaves like this: low idle - eccentric + rotation versus the “usual” one. The part tries to go into clockwise rotation, but is immediately extinguished. At full revolutions at XX - the rotation is “to the left”, as soon as the disk touches the board, the rotation changes in the “correct” direction, it’s a little difficult to push (and it’s not necessary).. We remove it from the part, - the rotation “slows down” and goes the other way. I don’t consider the machine to be defective or “broken”. does the job normally, which means IMHO, this is how it should be... Py.Sy. Don’t forget that there is a whole class of machines with “forced rotation”.

Serdjio wrote: What is the difference between an orbital and an orbital sander? There is a tape one. And what kind of work are they intended for, and which is better - round or rectangular skins?

Woodtools even has one

helmutivan, yes, there really is a problem with rotation.

It’s not for nothing that I only used an angle grinder. You just need to buy another “grinder” with adjustable rotation speed, otherwise it’s scary to grind at a speed of 11 thousand revolutions around from an unknown manufacturer without a protective casing. This means that I have an electric motor without direct drive from the engine and it still shouldn’t rotate, that is, it should, but barely, that is, depending on your luck. But machine manufacturers, as I understand it, do not indicate the type of drive.

Now I also consulted with the owner of an online store selling power tools. The bottom line is this: ESMs do not have a direct drive for rotation. There is a limiting clutch there, but it still has to engage, otherwise it really just turns into a vibration grinder. So a machine that stops when grinding starts should still be considered defective.

Specifications

There are several parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing. It is advisable to learn more about each.

Power

There is a direct relationship here: the more powerful the device, the more productive the work will be, and accordingly, the less time a person will spend processing a specific surface. If the device is used for domestic needs, a power of up to 1000 W is sufficient.

Rotational speed

The purpose of the tool depends on the equipment. For example, if you have to process hard materials, you will have to work at high speeds. For polishing, you can also use a low rotation speed.

Professionals recommend paying attention to the ability to adjust the rotation of the shaft in order to customize the tool for a specific type of work.

Tool size

Size is directly related to the area of ​​work. For example, if you have to work in a limited space, you will have to look for equipment with small tool sizes.

Equipment plays an important role

Weight

As a rule, the heaviest units are professional ones, since they have a powerful engine. This indicator must be selected individually, depending on the physical capabilities of the user (only this approach will be correct).

Smooth start

Modern devices are often equipped with a soft start function. This means that the revs will gradually build up when starting, which is extremely important if you want to avoid jerking.

Cord length

In recent years, the manufacturer has begun to provide consumers with a choice of cable lengths. This is very convenient if it is not possible to use a carrier - you just need to choose a unit with a long wire.

Speed ​​adjustment

This is a useful feature because it turns a regular sander into a versatile tool. By adjusting the speed, you can select the mode of use.

Protective functions

The more expensive the unit, the more protective functions it has. For example, you can choose a device equipped with automatic shutdown when overheated. There is also a function that protects the operator from accidental start-up.

Rubber pads on handles

Rubber pads help in operation, since with prolonged use your hands may become sweaty, causing the device to slip. Rubber pads avoid this difficulty.

Dust collector

This is an additional equipment of the unit. There is no dust collector included as standard, so it must be purchased separately. At the same time, you need to make sure that such an addition is suitable for a specific type of sanding machine.

Eccentric grinders - what are they?

Eccentric grinders (ESM) complete the chain of grinding machines. This type of tool is entrusted with the most delicate work on surface processing: finishing grinding and polishing. Although powerful ESMs are quite capable of performing more serious grinding, using sheets with a grain size of up to 80, you should not expect that such an ESM can replace a vibrating grinder. Large grains create a lot of drag, dragging the sole and reducing performance. Eccentric sanders show the best performance when using fine sandpaper (grit 140 and above) and polishing attachments.

Applications for eccentric sanders

• fine sanding of wood, plastic and metal
• polishing paintwork

Based on the listed capabilities, ESMs are used in the repair and manufacture of furniture, finishing work, body work during car repairs

The disadvantages of ESM include the inability to process corners and relief surfaces. You should not try to get the edge of the sanding disc, for example, into the recess of a door panel - the edge of the sanding disc can leave deep scratches on the wood. If you need to machine small parts and complex surfaces, it may be better to choose one of the engraving machines or renovators with appropriate attachments.

Which sander is better, eccentric or vibrating?

If you need to quickly remove rust or paintwork, or cut hard material, it is best to use a special grinding machine. In electrical stores you can find a wide variety of such units - each for a specific task. Therefore, you need to know how to choose the right grinding machine.

A grinder is often needed in everyday life