A palm sander.
A palm sander is a type of power sander that can be easily held and operated with one hand. It’s often a good choice for a variety of home renovation tasks that involve sanding, but it won’t necessarily do every job. Therefore, those interested in a hand sander must understand its limitations, advantages and disadvantages.
The palm sander works by vibrating in a slightly circular pattern. This movement causes a very efficient sanding action to occur, smoothing the surface of the wood being sanded. They are considered very versatile and can handle both finish sanding and rough sanding jobs.
Power sanders are power finishing tools used to abrade thin layers of material.
The palm sander uses regular sheets of sandpaper and has loops that the sandpaper can be placed over to keep it in place. Some sandpapers have an adhesive that can also be used to attach them to the sander. Once the paper is in place, sanding proceeds as normal, but care must be taken to always follow the grain of the wood.
To aid in use, most disc sanders have a rubber grip that helps keep the user comfortable. This is especially important for contractors and others who may use a hand sander for extended periods of time on almost a daily basis. If this is a feature the user wants then it is best to check the sander to make sure it is included as not all offer this.
A palm sander can also be equipped with a collection bag for the dust it generates. Any power sander, and even a hand sander, is capable of throwing a lot of particles into the air. Therefore, care should be taken, whenever possible, to avoid inhaling as much of this material as possible. Otherwise, it may cause breathing difficulties. The collection bag is one way to do this.
The palm sander, or pad sander as it is sometimes known, is a corded sander powered by an electrical source. Models can be found for as little as $20 United States Dollars (USD). However, most models tend to cost between $50 and $80 depending on the brand and features. Most will run at many different speeds, and some will have dozens of speed options.
In addition to the disc sander, other types of sanders can also be useful for those who work with wood. Other common sanders include the belt sander, the drum sander, and the orbital sander. Disc sanders and spindle sanders are also commonly used. Some sanders may be designed for specific tasks, such as finishing, while others may be used for heavy-duty work. Others, like the palm sander, can handle a bit of both.