We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Drywall Sander?

By Nychole Price
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,263
Share

A drywall sander is used to sand and smooth the plastering compound used in drywall installation. Sanding drywall is one of the most frustrating and messy aspects of hanging drywall. When choosing which of the several drywall sanders to use, consider the size of the job, the layout of the drywall and the amount of money you are willing to spend. There are several types of sanders available, including the manual sanding block, the porter cable sander, the orbital sander and the dustless turbo drywall sander.

The manual sanding block is mostly used for small jobs, such as replacing areas of broken drywall. It is approximately 2.75 inches (6.99 cm) wide, 4 inches (10.16 cm) long and 1 inch (2.54 cm) high and is available in medium and fine grits. This style drywall sander is sold in single and dual angles, to prevent accidentally sanding the opposite wall. For sanding corners, the sanding sponge is ideal, as it is flexible enough to conform to Bullnose and Chamfer Beads, making a smooth rounded edge.

Porter cable sanders are used for professional jobs, as they are highly aggressive sanders. This style of drywall sander has a 13 foot (3.96 meters) extension for sanding high walls and ceilings without using a stool or ladder. The biggest advantage to the porter cable sander is that you can sand large areas very quickly. The disadvantages are it is very heavy, averaging around 8 lbs (3.63 kg) and it is expensive, costing about $800 US Dollars (USD).

Orbital drywall sanders are hand held power tools, used mostly by homeowners who prefer the do-it-yourself method. It uses a swirling method to remove the mudding compound from the drywall. This type of sander doesn't have an extension, meaning you must use a ladder or stool to access hard to reach places. This sander is perfect for small household jobs, but is inadequate for large jobs. The orbital sander can also be used for removing rust and paint.

The dustless turbo drywall sander is is lightweight, and inexpensive, making it perfect for small businesses and avid do-it-yourself homeowners. This drywall sander costs under $500 USD, which includes the vacuum attachment, for easy clean up. The dustless turbo sander weights under 4.5 lbs (2.04 kg) and has a rectangular head, allowing the user to access corners and other hard to reach places. It also has a removable extension pole, allowing you to reach high places when it is attached, and tight corners when it is removed.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-drywall-sander.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.