If you’re into DIY projects, then odds are that you love working with wood. Whether it’s building some furniture or refurbishing your current wooden pieces (such as cabinets and doors), there is nothing quite as satisfying as working with your hands to create something beautiful. As such, one of the most important tools you can have for wood projects is a power sander.
These devices are great for stripping paint, smoothing out edges, or helping you shape your wood into something unique.
Today we’ll be talking about sanders that are best sander for trim. Whether it’s on a door or a cabinet, the trim is something that should be handled with care, meaning that you need the right tool for the job. We’ll not only show you some of the best power sanders on the market but help you decide which features are right for your next DIY project.
Recommended 5 Best Sander for Trim Reviews
When you working with trim wood, you want a finishing tool that will allow you to work precisely and produce professional results. Ridges, dents, and nicks can easily ruin the finished product. The best sander for trim work is one that will allow you to apply even pressure with your own body weight while being able to control the amount of material you are removing.
When it comes to a sander, a lot can be said from the type of material being worked on down to the machine’s power and weight. We research and compare a number of different sanders and their features and specifications with the purpose of helping you pick the best sander for trim works. Here we recommend 5 for you to consider.
1. Makita GV7000C 7.9 Amp 7-Inch Vertical Sander
As far as home power tools go, Makita is one of the better brands out there making some high-quality products that will make your next DIY project a breeze. In this case, we are looking at the 7-inch Vertical Sander, which is used mostly for high-powered buffing or stripping. This is technically a disc sander, making it ideal for large projects where you have to remove a lot of paint or smooth out some rough edges.
The power of this sander is top-notch, with a robust 7.9-amp motor and a variable speed that reaches up to 4,700 rpm. When compared to other sanders, that may not sound like a lot, but because there is a lot of power behind it, you can work a lot faster than with a smaller model. Fortunately, this unit comes with a slow start setting so that you can manage the device more easily and won’t get caught off guard.
Other features of this sander include optimized balance, a side handle for better stability when working, and a locking trigger to reduce fatigue. With other disc sanders, you have to hold the trigger down while working, which can be a pain to do, especially at some angles. This way, you can turn it on and off easily without having to keep your finger in the right position.
What We Like:
- Powerful 7.9-amp motor
- Variable speed adjustment
- Go from 2500-4700 rpm
- Slow start to ensure smooth sanding
- Weighs less than five pounds to reduce fatigue
- Optimally balanced for easier control
- Side handle for stability
- Electric speed control maintains speed
- Locking trigger for your convenience
- Uses seven-inch sanding pads
- One-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Assembly is required
- Changing pads is somewhat complicated
- Does not collect dust or debris
2. PORTER-CABLE 330 Speed-Bloc 1.2 Amp 1/4 Sheet Sander
Next, we have a sheet sander from Porter Cable which is designed to help you with most of your trim work by giving you high-speed operation and a smaller surface area so you can work in tight spaces if necessary. The motor on this model is significantly smaller than the Makita above, but that means that you don’t run the risk of punching through your wood if you’re not careful.
The 1.2-amp motor drives this sander at 14,000 rpm, making it ideal for quick operation. With a ¼ sheet size, you can sand and buff your trim easily and much faster than you would with an orbital or belt sander. The size of this model is perfect, weighing less than four pounds. To further reduce fatigue, this unit comes with an ergonomic design and reduced vibration.
As with all sheet sanders, you can use self-adhesive strips or cut your own paper and lock it in place with the metal stamp. The best thing about this model type is that you don’t have to buy specially designed pads like you do with disc or orbiting sanders.
What We Like:
- Efficient 1.2-amp motor
- Sands at 14,000 rpm
- Ergonomic design for comfort
- Reduced vibration to alleviate fatigue
- Lightweight design weighs four pounds
- Sheet sander
- Works with pre-cut adhesive paper
- Also uses self-cut paper with metal stamp
- Long eight-foot power cord
- One-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Unit can get hot at times
- Some components are not as durable as others
3. RIDGID Trim Router with 1/4 in. Sheet Sander
Another fantastic brand of home power tools is RIDGID, and this sheet sander is perfect for most DIY projects. The size, power, and speed of this model make it a viable option for both trim work and standard woodworking, so feel free to use it for any other projects that you have in mind.
What we like about this sander is that it comes with variable speed adjustment and blazing fast speed. You can go between 20,000 and 40,000 rpm, making it much quicker and more versatile than most sheet sanders you can find elsewhere.
The other amazing feature of this sander is the fact that it comes with both a round and square base, allowing you to work however you see fit. Round pads are ideal for buffing or smoothing, while square ones are best for stripping. To make it even better, you can adjust the depth to make sure that you get the best performance possible.
Finally, this sander comes with an on-board dust collection system that is vacuum compatible, meaning that you can hook it up to a shop vac instead of having to change the bag every few minutes. Overall, this is a great sander that can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
What We Like:
- Efficient 2.4-amp motor
- Variable speed adjustment
- Go from 20K-30K rpm
- Uses round or square bases for versatility
- Dial adjustment for optimal depth
- Magnet motor maintains constant speed
- On board dust collection system
- LED light to illuminate your work
- Soft grip for better comfort
- Spindle lock for easy bit changes
- Weighs only three pounds
- Dust collection is vacuum compatible
What We Don’t Like:
- Some components are not as durable as others
- Might not work with all sandpaper
- Dust bag is small and needs to be changed often
4. Makita BO4556K 2.0 Amp 4-1/2-Inch Finishing Sander with Case
We’ve already seen the quality of Makita on this list, but now we are going to look at a finishing sander to see what else you can do with these products. While the disc sander above is ideal for large-scale sanding and stripping, this model is perfect for smoothing out smaller areas and providing the finishing touches to your piece.
It has a robust motor and operates at 14,000 opm, which makes it one of the more versatile finishing sanders you can find.
Other features that we like about this model include reduced vibration, ergonomic design, and an on-board dust collection system. It also comes with a large lever to allow for fast paper changes so you can spend more time working and less time fiddling with the sander. Best of all, it comes with a heavy duty carrying case so you can keep everything together and bring it with you wherever you need to go.
What We Like:
- Operates at 14,000 rpm
- Ball bearing construction reduces vibration
- Ergonomic design for comfort
- Large clamping lever for quick paper changes
- On board dust collection system
- Convenient on/off switch for one-handed operation
- Dust sealed switch for longer shelf life
- Heavy duty carry case included
- Weighs less than three pounds
- One-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Sander can get hot
- Does not have variable speed adjustment
- Some components are not as durable as others
5. BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander
Our final stop is with the Mouse Detail Sander from Black + Decker. If you are working on small trim or need something with a lighter touch, this sander is perfect for you. While the speed is comparable to other models that we’ve seen, the motor is smaller and more compact so that you can sand as hard or as soft as you like.
The best thing about this unit is that it comes with a three-position grip. You can hold it like a sheet sander for large patches, you can have precision grip for tighter areas, or you can hold it by the handle to do sweeps or buffing.Other features that we like include an on-board dust collection system with filters, a detail attachment for corners and small pieces, and an ergonomic design to reduce fatigue. This is a phenomenal detail sander.
What We Like:
- Efficient 1.2-amp motor
- Operates at 14,000 rpm
- Three-position grip for stability
- Ergonomic design for comfort
- On board dust collection system
- Micro filters reduce dust
- Detail attachment included for tight areas
- Comes with two sanding sheets
- Two-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Sandpaper may not adhere well at times
- Some components are not as durable as others
- Does not have variable speed adjustment
- Filter is small and needs to be changed often
How to Choose the Best Sander for Trim
Once you’ve figured out the best model for your project, then you will have to look at the specs to see which one will be better suited for your needs. Here are the most common features that come with sanders so that you can make the best decision.
Size
For the most part, you want to get a sander that is large enough to ensure that you don’t spend all day working, but small enough to reach into tighter areas. The best way to figure out a proper size is to look at the dimensions of the sandpaper you will be using. Disc sanders usually use about seven-inch pads, while sheet sanders can be smaller or bigger depending on the model you get. Finishing and detail sanders are the smallest so that you can work on tighter areas with ease.
Another thing concerning size is the weight of the sander. Odds are that you will have to be working at different angles, so get a model that doesn’t weigh too much otherwise you will get fatigued faster and have to take more breaks.
Motor
As the driving force of the sander, the motor is the most important component. Most motors are listed in amps, with higher amperage meaning more power. When it comes to heavier sanding such as paint stripping, you will want a motor that is at least five amps or greater. For all-around sanding (like with a sheet sander), two or three amps is sufficient. Finally, when it comes to detail work, one to two amps is ideal, so you don’t cause any damage to your wood in the process.
Speed
When looking at sanders, you will notice that they list speed in either rotations per minute (rpm) or orbits per minute (opm). Orbiting and sheet sanders usually use opm because the machine rotates as it sands, but other models will use rpm to refer to how fast the pad spins or moves back and forth.
Ideally, you will get a sander that has variable speed settings so that you can adjust based on your needs, but most will operate at one speed only, meaning that you have to conform to it rather than the other way around.
Ergonomics
The sander has a slim, ergonomically designed grip and weighs only 5.4 pounds. This makes it easy to hold steady as you’re working with it and ensures that you don’t get too tired too quickly.
Dust Collection
When choosing a sander you should check the dust collection system. With this machine, you won’t have to worry about that because it comes with a vacuum adapter and a dust bag which makes the process of cleaning up after yourself easier.
Noise
Sander noise has the potential to cause hearing loss, which is why having one that emits less noise is important. So you can check the noise level before buying one.
Safety
Every sander safety feature must be checked. Every sander’s safety feature must be important to the user. Safety features come in the form of an ergonomically designed grip. First, make sure it has a lock-off to prevent accidental starting. It’s also important that the sender doesn’t have loose parts that you could potentially inhale. It should also shut off within 30 seconds if it detects that it dropped to the ground, which will prevent potential kickback.
Vibration
Sanding leads to vibrations which can potentially lead to carpal tunnel syndrome if you don’t find a sander that mitigates it. So make sure to check the sander for vibration control features.
Another aspect of speed is to see if the sander has a slow start mode. This means that it won’t immediately reach top speed as soon as you hit the trigger, but will build up to it over a matter of seconds. The benefit of this is that you don’t risk doing any damage to your wood or losing control of the sander.
Which Sanders are Best for Wood Trim?
When talking about power sanders, several varieties can work for trim. Let’s take a look at each model and see what it can do for you.
Disc Sander
This type of sander uses a circular piece of sandpaper and operates at high speeds. This model is ideal for stripping paint or smoothing out large surfaces as it is much more powerful than other sanders. To make sure that you get the best results, we recommend that you try it out before you start working, so you know how to handle it and not cause any damage to the final product.
Sheet Sander
This type of sander is ideal for a variety of uses, such as removing paint or doing detail work. Because sheet sanders are smaller and don’t have as much surface area, they can work in tighter areas and corners. This is probably your best option for sanding trim as it is much more versatile than disc or finishing sanders.
Finishing/Detail Sander
When you have softer woods or small surface areas, this kind of sander is the best. Usually finishing sanders will have smaller edges so as to reach into corners or tight spots, and they won’t have as much rotating power to leave a softer touch. If you want to work on small trim, then this will be your best option as it leaves a better finish than a sheet sander.
How to use a Sander for Trim Works:
Sanding is a very important step in surface preparation. Both for priming and finishing, the final paint coating must be able to bond with the substrate.
It’s important to know that how to use it as a sander for trim work for every handyman. When you start sanding for trim work, you should have to follow five easy steps. Here describe five steps for you so that you can use them easily without any problem.
Step 1:
You have to wear a mask before starting this process for safety and to keep the room clean.
Step 2:
Next, you will want to apply masking tape on the trim. Make sure that it is applied evenly and that there are no bubbles or gaps in the tape.
Step 3:
You next start sanding along the edge of the tape with an orbital sander. Start at about a 45-degree angle and use even pressure as you go.
Step 4:
Once you have gotten close to the baseboard, switch to a sanding block. Again, start at an angle and use even pressure as you go. Remember to do this on both sides of the trim. You can check out our article on How To Use A Sander For Trim Works
Step 5:
Last, you will need to clean the trim thoroughly with a cloth. Once it is dry, touch up any spots that may not have gotten completely covered by your tape.
Once you followed these steps carefully for trim works, you can easily do this work in a short time. And don’t forget about safety while doing this task.
Safety Tips for Trim Works Using Sander
As you already know that sanding is the most important step in surface preparation. I have mentioned above five steps to follow when using a sander for trim work . So let me tell you some general safety tips that everyone should read once who wants to use it without any problem.
Safety wear: Always wear goggles to protect your eyes. Also, ear protection is crucial when you are using a power sander.
Preparation: Make sure the area is well lit. If there are open windows, close them so that nothing can blow into your eyes while you are working. You should have a good vacuum to clean up dust after sanding.
Using the sander: Before you start touching any surface with your power sander, understand how it works and its correct usage.
Use a mask: Using a mask is important to avoid breathing in any harmful particles and also to protect your skin and eyes from any debris.
Keep away from kids: Kids should keep away from the sander you’re using as it is not safe for them at all.
That was some general safety tips that everyone should follow when using a sander for trim work. I don’t say it is difficult to use a power sander for a DIY project instead, it is one of the power tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric sanders dangerous for work?
Any sander can be dangerous if you don’t handle it carefully. When you use an electrical variant correctly and maintain all precautions, it can do no harm to you or the people around you.
What is the best sander for finishing wood?
I things random orbital sanders is best for finish-sanding wood. It’s hard to know that what kind of sander to buy for your woodworking and home improvement project. We’ll take the confusion out of buying a sander for finishing wood and explain why this sander is best for your job.
What types of sanders are used in trim wood?
The most popular sander used for trim work is the orbital finishing sander. The pad on this machine rotates in circles which lets it provide even power. It is also lightweight with plenty of power to finish wood without any scratches.
What sander should I use if I want to do intricate work?
If you are doing intricate finishes on molding or putting a beautiful pattern on the wall, it is best to use a sander that has a compact design. This way you can go into small areas and get the work done. It is also helpful to have a sander with variable speed options since you can open it up and go more slowly when working in small areas.
What sander should I use when sanding a door?
When sanding doors, it is best to use a sander that has a powerful motor. You want something that will take off layers quickly and without much effort from you. It should also be lightweight enough for you to hold in one hand while working with the other.
What do you sand trim with?
It depends on the sander you use. Most sander companies recommend using their own brand of sander paper for best results. If you are working with plywood or drywall, it is advisable to use sandpaper that has a grit of at least 70. For paint and varnish, you should use sanded paper with a grit of at least 120.
What is the fastest way to sand trim?
The sander that uses the most power is the sander that will remove material quickly. If you want to sand trim quickly, use a sander with a drum tool and hook and loop sander paper. For more delicate work, go with an orbital finishing sander or sander that has a compact design.
Can you use a sander to trim a door?
Yes, you can use a sander to trim a door. Most sander models will work for this purpose since you want one with power. Make sure the sander has a sturdy design and is not too heavy so that you can control it well when working on molding or door jambs.
Should I sand trim after primer?
Many sander companies recommend sanding after the primer is completely dry. This is to ensure that you do not damage or remove any of the paint or primer. It takes a bit longer but it is worth it when you want to guarantee professional results.
What sander should I use for baseboards?
When sander baseboards, it is best to use a sander that has an ergonomic design. This lets you control the sander better and apply pressure when necessary. You want a sander that can get into tight spaces and remove material evenly along the entire surface area.
What sander should I use for exterior trim?
For exterior sander work, it is best to use a sander with a powerful motor. Since weather conditions are difficult on machinery, you will want something that has an ergonomic design and can be used upside down without falling apart. The sander should also have anti-vibration technology so that you do not feel any in your elbow while sander.
Final Verdict
When looking at these different sander models, it’s hard to single one out as the best sander for trim because they are all different models. That being said, we highly recommend the RIDGID Sheet Sander as an all-around unit that can work for most trim projects. However, if you need something with more versatility and a softer edge, then the Black + Decker Mouse Detail Sander is an ideal choice as it has the best features and optimal shape for detail and finishing work.
