How to choose a stationary sander

While they may not be the first tools to buy when setting up a shop, sanding machines can speed up work on big projects and solve some tough problems, such as smoothing wild grain—the type that would tear out on a planer—with a thicknessing sander.

Spindle sanders
Oscillating spindle sanders are great at shaping and smoothing concave curves, for both template pattern-making and final finishing. They can remove stock aggressively yet smoothly. Switching drum sizes and grit sleeves is generally quick, so you can move from rough to finish-sanding with ease.

Narrow belt sanders
The tool of choice for metal shaping, polishing and sharpening. They can be fitted with microfine silicon abrasive belts that can put a mirror edge on a chisel or gouge.

Edge sanders
These are essentially large belt sanders turned on their sides. They excel at sanding long straightedges, as in panel or door-frame construction. Their large horizontal tables offer a lot of support for larger workpieces.

Thicknessing sanders
These heavy-duty machines are the abrasive counterparts to thickness planers, designed for sanding wide panels to uniform thicknesses. Like planers, thicknessing sanders have automatic feed systems.

Clog stoppers
If you use a power sander, you can get extra life out of your discs and belts. When your sandpaper is loaded, simply offer a block of crepe rubber, such as the Veritas sanding block (Lee Valley Tools, $9), to the rotating belt or disc and apply light, but firm pressure. Discs will become considerably cleaner after a few moments as the block strips out accumulated dust and fibres.

Combination sanders
Disc sanders: Size matters with disc sanders. Because the usable surface of the disc is only one-quarter of its face, the larger the radius, the
wider the pieces that can be sanded. A disc sander is a good tool for quickly trimming mitres or tweaking other joinery, such as shortening tenons.

Belt sanders: Good for trimming flat surfaces and shaping convex curves. If the guard at the idler end of the belt is removable, then the tight-radius end can be used for shaping compound curves such as cabriole legs.

Dual-purpose machines: Disc and belt sanders are often combined into one unit, effectively giving you the best of both types.