• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Me
    • New? Start Here!
  • Projects
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Power Tools 101
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Outdoor Projects
    • Parties – Ideas & Decor
    • Cleaning and Organization Tips and Ideas
  • Free Printables
  • Travel
  • Gift Ideas

Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> DIY Projects >> Power Tools 101: How to Use a Sander

April 6, 2015 By Jenna 16 Comments

Power Tools 101: How to Use a Sander

397 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

After a month hiatus, I’m back with another round of Power Tools 101.

This month is an easy one – How to Use a Sander.

The basics of how to use a sander and what all it can do - How to Use a Sander

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

There are lots of different types of power sanders, but my go-to pick is a sheet sander. Its very versatile and unless you have a huge job, it can take care of just about anything.

Power Tools 101: How to Use a Sander

I personally own and use a DeWalt Sheet Sander. I bought mine after having borrowed a friends. I loved it and knew I wanted my own.

How to use a Sander

To use a sander, you really just need to know how to attach the sandpaper to the sander.

First, locate the metal (usually, metal) locks on the sides of the sander. Pull down and out on each lock.

How to Use a Sander

When you pull down and out on each lock, you will release the end clasps which will hold the sandpaper in place.

Take a sheet of sandpaper and tear it into fourths.

How to Use a Sander

Take one of the fourths and place it onto the bottom pad of the sander.

How to Use a Sander

Tuck the sandpaper under each end clasp and lock down.

My sander’s power button is on the top.

How to Use a Sander

Plug it in, flip the switch and you are ready to go.

Sometimes the biggest struggle in using a sander is determining which grit of sandpaper to use. Here’s a breakdown:

Fine Grit (180 – 320 Grit)

• Use between topcoats to get a very smooth finish

Medium Grit (100 – 150 Grit)

• Surface Leveling & Smoothing

• Sanding door edges that don’t close properly

• Distressing furniture

• Preparing furniture for paint

• Rounding wood edges

Rough Grit (60 – 80 Grit) 

• Paint Stripping

• Remove rust

Do you have any tips or tricks for how to use a sander or other uses for it? 

Need more Power Tools 101 posts?

How to Use a Drill

How to Use a Circular Saw

How to Use a Miter Saw

How to Use a Heat Gun and 15 Things It Can Do

The Best Tools for DIYers at Any Level

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

Sign up to get my posts delivered to your inbox here.

Stalk Me Here:

Pinterest / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

pin-this-post

The basics of how to use a sander and what all it can do - How to Use a Sander

SaveSave

397 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: power tools, sander, sandpaper

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    April 6, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Hi, Jenna ~ How did you know that just this weekend I told my husband that I needed a “real” sander, because I have a lot of DIY projects coming up? I especially love the part about which sandpaper to use when! Thanks for the well-timed tips! :0)

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      April 6, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      Awesome, Tiffany!! A good, “real” sander is SO worth the investment! You won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    April 6, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    The first lesson I learned using a sander was to be sure you are holding it when you turn it on so it doesn’t go flying away! LOL

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      April 6, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      hahaha! Amen, sister! I’ve been there!

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    April 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    Here’s what I’ve always wanted to know. What’s the difference between a power sander and an orbital sander? Or is there.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      April 7, 2015 at 7:55 am

      They are both power, Angela. In fact, the sander I have, I think is technically classified as an orbital sander. There is another sander called a random orbit sander, which is round and moves around differently than the one I have.

      Reply
  4. chris aka monkey says

    April 6, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    having a power sander is so worth it even a small palm sander beats using a sanding block or sand paper and sanding your fingerprints off great post xx

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      April 7, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Amen, sister!

      Reply
  5. Kitsy Keel Smith says

    April 6, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    Hi Jenna, it’s Kitsy here. I got a DeWalt sander for Christmas and have been having so much fun with it. Mine is the round type and the sandpaper disks just adhere to the wheel. So easy. Love the little bag for catching dust too. I wash mine every time I use it so it’s ready for the next project. Thanks for the tips on which type of paper to use. Really helpful. Have asked for a soldering iron for Mother’s day. To be used mostly in repairing parts of my sewing machine collection.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      April 7, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Girl, if you get a soldering iron, you will be a step above me! That’s one tool I don’t have!

      Reply
  6. Vera says

    October 26, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    Hi, Jenna. I have not done any projects before, but i am trying to give it a start. Right now i am only doing a research on how-to’s, materials and tools, etc.
    The question is, what sander to use: square or orbit? What is the difference in use and results between the one you use and orbit one?

    Thank you in advance !!!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      November 3, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      I use a square one, Vera. I know of lots of other people who prefer orbits though. I think it’s just a personal preference thing.

      Reply
  7. Robert says

    February 1, 2017 at 9:23 am

    I’ve been woodworking for years and the best trick I found is to get a “sandpaper cleaner.” It is a block of rubber that you can use to clean your sandpaper. It doubles or triples the life of the sandpaper. When you think it’s time to change sheets, just sand that rubber block and it makes it almost new. I got mine from sears for like $6. You can also use an old rubber shoe sole although it doesn’t work as good.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      February 2, 2017 at 6:43 am

      Thanks for that tip, Robert! Had no idea you could do that!

      Reply
  8. Rhonda says

    May 22, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve just started to purchase and refinish furniture, so this post is perfect. Hope you will linkup on my Sunday’s Best linkup again. Love your posts.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:29 am

      Awesome, Rhonda! Glad it was helpful!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Primary Sidebar

Privacy Policy

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Please use all appropriate and proper safety precautions when using tools and attempting projects. All projects and tool usage are attempted at the reader’s own risk.

Copyright © 2023 · Brunch Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · Design by Stephanie Jones

397 shares