Pneumatic Sanding Tools

• The downside to pneumatic tools is the hose that acts like a leash. people at work, air compressor image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

  Pneumatic tools typically offer greater reliability and control. The internal gears are lubricated with pneumatic oil and can last a lifetime with proper maintenance due to the limited number of internal moving parts. Pneumatic sanders offer the same quality. Air-driven drives inside the sanders allow you to manage the speeds and power of the tool while maintaining solid control of the device.

Basic Sanders

• Pneumatic sanders include air-driven versions of most electrical sanders. The basic sanders include the palm and disc sander. The pneumatic palm sander appears similar to electrical or cordless variations but offers greater control on the vibration of the sandpaper. The disc sander is often referred to as a gun sander. Both are widely used in general applications, such as woodworking, auto body repair and general construction. The tools are ideal for light- to medium-duty projects.

Angle and Belt Sanders

• Heavier duty jobs require more force and sturdier equipment. The angle sander is used as a grinder, sander or cutter, depending upon the attachment. The tool operates at higher speeds but maintains the control options available with pneumatic tools. The pneumatic belt sander comes in the standard style as well as angled variations for reaching into corners and crevices. Both variations of pneumatic sanders are functional for jobs that require excessive sanding with coarse-grit papers. Jobs would include stripping floors, removing finish off of furniture or smoothing out rough-hewn wood.

Random Orbit Sanders

• The most versatile of pneumatic sanders is the random orbit sander. The unit typically, as the name implies, does not follow a set path like belt sanders or disc sanders. The randomness of the rotation allows the sander to provide a smoother finish. The pneumatic variation gives the unit increased control over the speeds involved. You typically use this tool in polishing or finishing wood, but due to the versatility of the tool and variety of grits available, you can use the tool for initial sanding as well. The versatility of the tool means you can use the random orbit sander with a cloth attachment for buffing out imperfections in vehicle paint or similar projects.