Collection: Sanders

An electric sander smooths and prepares surfaces far faster than sanding by hand, and the type decides how aggressive it is and what finish it leaves. A belt sander removes material fast; a random orbital leaves a swirl-free finish; a detail sander reaches corners. Dust is the main hazard, particularly with certain materials. Match the sander to the stage of work you're doing, and take dust seriously.

What type of sander do you need?

Each suits a different stage:

• Belt sander: removes material fast on large flat surfaces, but aggressive and easy to gouge with if held in one spot.
• Random orbital sander: spins and oscillates at once so it doesn't leave swirl marks, the best all-rounder for finishing.
• Orbital (sheet) sander: vibrates in small circles, gentler and good for finishing, using standard sandpaper sheets.
• Detail sander: a pointed pad reaching into corners and tight spaces.

What grit should you use?

Grit numbers run from coarse to fine, and the principle is to work up through the grits rather than jumping. Coarse grits around 60 to 80 remove material and old finish quickly but leave deep scratches. Medium grits around 120 to 150 remove those scratches and prepare the surface. Fine grits of 180 to 240 and above smooth it for finishing. Skipping grits leaves scratches the finer paper can't remove, which then show up under paint or stain. Tip: if scratches appear after finishing, the fix is going back a grit, not sanding longer with fine paper.

What are the dust risks with sanding?

Sanding dust is a genuine health hazard, and some materials are far worse than others. Silica dust from sanding or cutting engineered stone, concrete and masonry causes serious irreversible lung disease and is tightly regulated in Australia. Lead paint in homes built before the 1970s is another serious risk when disturbed by sanding. Treated timber dust and some hardwood dusts are also harmful. Always wear a properly fitted respirator suited to the material rather than a basic dust mask, use dust extraction where possible, and check what you're sanding before you start.

Common questions

What sander is best for beginners?
A random orbital sander — it doesn't leave swirl marks, is hard to gouge with, and handles most stages from preparation to finishing. Belt sanders remove material fast but are easy to damage work with.

What grit should I start with?
Coarse (60 to 80) to remove material or old finish, then work up through medium (120 to 150) to fine (180+). Skipping grits leaves scratches that show under paint or stain.

Is sanding dust dangerous?
Yes — silica dust from stone and masonry causes serious lung disease, and lead paint in pre-1970s homes is hazardous when sanded. Use a proper respirator and dust extraction, not just a basic mask.

Why does my finish show swirl marks?
Usually from skipping grits or using an orbital sander that leaves circular marks. A random orbital avoids swirls, and going back a grit removes existing ones.

Can I pay for a sander with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our sanders start from $62, which is four fortnightly payments of $15.50.

Complete your workshop

A sander works with the rest of your kit. Add power tools, drills, and nailers.

A $62 sander splits into four fortnightly payments of $15.5 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.