Hi everyone! I'm a total beginner at furniture flipping and I've been trying to figure out what kind of sander I need. I keep seeing these sanders that have a square or rectangular surface, often with foam instead of traditional sandpaper, and I'm not sure if the foam is an additional attachment or part of the tool itself. Can anyone explain how these work and recommend a good brand? Also, when should I be using this type of sander? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You've got several options! One product you might want to check out is the Sandflex, which is available from various sellers, including Amazon. In the US or Canada, any big box store will have a selection, like Home Depot. I personally have a Diablo foam sander that has a stiff side and a soft side, which is great for curvy shapes. They're pretty versatile!
I recommend going for a random orbital sander that uses sticky paper. It's definitely more user-friendly than those rectangle sanders that grip a quarter sheet of paper. Just a heads up though—while they’re great for most areas, they might not fit in tight spaces or intricate trim, so you might still need a smaller sander for those spots!
Hi there! It sounds like you're looking for a palm sander or a mouse sander, which are great for detailed work on furniture. You can definitely use foam pads with them—most modern sanders have a 'hook and loop' system (like Velcro) to attach sandpaper and pads alike. Happy sanding! Good luck on your projects!