Best Drywall Sanders - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
by Scott Miller Updated on
If you think that sanding has only to do with wood, you are wrong.
Sanding can be used in a variety of materials and today we will speak about drywall sanders available on the market.
Since its invention in 1988, the sanding of new walls by hand, a slow, tedious process was replaced by the powered electric sanders and its usage was much appreciated.
Being that you are reading this, we believe that you are looking for one so we hope that our reviews will make you way to owning your own drywall sander easier.
Bu getting the right tool, you will get the job done significantly faster and more efficient.
The third position on our list is taken by the WEN 6369 Drywall Sander Tool which comes with several sanding discs, a 15-ft. hose, and a variable speed head.
What users claim to be excellent about this tool is that it can be folded down to half size for transport and telescope it out to 5 feet to really increase your reach.
For the professional users this model is wobbly and shuddery on the wall, but DIYers claim that they are satisfied with its performance and the price as well.
They especially appreciate the easily changing of sandpaper.
This is a tool made for homeusers and there are a lot worse ones, so you can take it into consideration.
Many people would wonder whether they need a drywall sander or not.
By reading this article, you have found that the sanding will go exponentially faster if you use the drywall sander.
Among the wide array of features we have gathered some of the most important ones and described them so as to make it easier to decide which one to get.
Which should I have in mind related to dust management when shopping for a drywall sander?
Everybody who has ever seen the drywall sander in use knows how much dust it generates.
Finding a sander that will manage collecting it is a difficult task and the best drywall sanders usually come with a hose that you can be connected to a collector so that the dust does not go all over the place.
Even though there are some models which do not come with a hose you can still get it and connect it, even though you will spend some more money on it.
If the bought hose is not compatible, you can use a special connector to make the ends compatible.
In case you do not have a dust collector, the collecting the dust is possible via shop vac and this can be done in the same way.
With the shop vac, you will have to stop and clean out the filter very often but you will still benefit from it.
The advantage of the dust collector is that it auto-cleans its filter.
When purchasing a drywall sander, the ability to maintain a clean working space is crucial, so you should consider buying a machine that will do it for you and not waste your time on cleaning.
What about performance?
Using a drywall sander is easy and what you want to get from it is make your life easier by creating smooth walls and ceilings.
When the performance is in question, there are some sanders which struggle to do this even when used with experience workers.
You have to know that if your unit is prone to swirling and gouging the walls or causing the paper cover to tear away, that is not a good tool to be used.
A good drywall sander is there to make your job faster and easier.
Why is the ease of use significant?
When the ease of use is in question, you need to pay attention to the following:
Some assembly required – There are some drywall sanders which arrive fully assembled and can be used once taken out of the box, there are also others that require that you put together one or two pieces, or even involve assembling as if you were a factory worker. The only thing you get is the frustration, so make sure to get the one that can be plugged in right out of the box.
Weight and balance – The sanding is done by hand and you will have to wield the tool by holding it out in front of you. Usually, the tool is around 3 to 5 feet long and weigh at least 8 lbs. so getting the lighter one would always be considered a better and wise solution. If you plan to work with it for a longer period of time, getting a lightweight drywall sander would be necessary. Additionally, you have to pay attention to how it is balanced which can be determined according to the placement of the motor. It can either be at the head or along the shaft and you should find the design which will be more comfortable to you.
Length – A good drywall sander should be around 4 feet long, but the best ones are those which will allow you to make it shorter or longer. This will be useful if you have different types of work, such as doing a half wall or reaching high ceilings or archways.
Portability – When the measurements are in question, it is good to have the tool which will be compact and portable. There are models which fold up while the others come in a bag to make it easier to carry them. However, if you plan to use it at one job site you do not need these features.
Edges and corners – The drywall sander heads are round, so it is not an easy task to reach edges and corners. There are some models with a plastic skirt running around the edge of the head, and those will require hand sanding. However, there are those which will let you remove sections of this barrier and sand right up to the edge. Now, we have to warn you that this is an amazing feature for those who have a very steady hand. If you are not one of them, it might be safer to do the edges the old-fashioned way.
How significant is the sandpaper?
Sandpaper is necessary for your drywall sander.
There is a variety of grit options and you will get the sandpaper with small holes in it to allow dust to pass through on its way to the shop vac or dust collector.
You have to pay attention to putting it on and taking it off and make sure you get the tool that will allow you to do it easily.
Also, you need to get the unit for which the replacement discs or paper can be found in the majority of stores or online.
With some models there are sandpaper discs included, which is considered an extraordinary feature, as you will be able to use to tool right out of the box.
What should I know about versatility?
As its name suggest, a drywall sander is used to sand drywall.
However, there are models which offer versatility and producers claim that they work on floors and other surfaces.
Now, you are aware that you will have to give higher amount of money to get the sander which will do double-duty, but what you also have to have in mind is that there are very few units that excel at multi-tasking.
In the majority of cases it is smarter to get the one right tool for each job.
The price and the quality
When you are buying a tool it is important to be efficient, but you do not want to spend a fortune on it.
You need to have in mind that the better quality sanders cost more, but it is sure that you will you get what you pay for.
So, firstly, you need to know what you need it for and how often you will be using it.
If you plan to use it frequently and for a longer period of time, you will need to pay more.
Or, if you want a tool which will offer you the fantastic finishes, great dust collection, and overall performance, you cannot expect it to be low-cost.
So, we can say that you can find a decent sander for any budget.
Conclusion
Among all the above mentioned units we have to conclude that the Porter-Cable 7800 is rightfully our top pick and the tool worth buying.
We know that it is a little pricey but if you buy it you will not regret it.
If you are not a professional and you do not need that high-end tool, theb the WEN 6369 would be suitable for you.
It will do the job well and not cost you too much.
You will get a good finishing, ease of use, and good dust control.
The drywall sander is something you should get being that both sanding and clean-up will go faster and the usage will outweigh the initial purchase price. .
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