Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Detailed Comparison

Wood sanders are a crucial piece of equipment that can be utilized by woodworkers to change the final appearance and finish of a project. Homeowners can also use them to restore wooden floors. There are, however, many options, and it might be difficult to understand the advantages of using an orbital sander as opposed to a palm sander. We shall describe each one's functions and its greatest uses for them in this article.

What is an Orbital Sander?

An orbital sander is a portable power tool that rotates the sanding disc in discrete orbits. To fit into corners and up against edges, they are frequently square. They can be used to work on sensitive projects and remove small quantities of material because they aren't very forceful. As long as you are careful, they won't alter the appearance of the finished work because they don't leave many marks. The marks are more noticeable than, for instance, with a random orbit sander, another kind of orbital sander that lessens this effect by spinning the pads in a random pattern.

An orbital sander is an ideal tool for preparing a surface for painting or for removing paint before adding a fresh coat. If you want a continuous finish and don't plan to paint the wood, you should avoid using these products because of the marks they create. Of course, they come in a variety of sizes, strengths, and costs that vary depending on the maker.

Pros of Orbital Sander-

• Effective sanding: An orbital sander effectively removes materials and smoothes surfaces by removing swirl marks. Because of its aggressive nature, it is perfect for large-scale or heavy-duty jobs.

• Versatility: orbital sanders can be used on a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, and plastic, and for a wide range of tasks, such as removing rust, smoothing surfaces, and preparing surfaces for both new and old paint jobs. 

• Greater control: Orbital sanders have the fantastic ability to change speed. This gives you more power because you can adjust the speed to suit the task you want to do.

• Dust collector: Orbital sanders often have built-in dust collectors to help reduce dust and minimize dust inhalation.

• Simple to use: Due to its design, orbital sanders are simple to use and operate.

Cons of Orbital Sander-

• Expensive: Compared to palm sanders, orbital sanders are a little more costly.

• Noisy: When orbital sanders run at high speeds, they produce noise.

• Not appropriate for complex tasks: orbital sanders operate more quickly and are aggressive by nature. As a result, they are not the best for tasks requiring fine precision.

• Possibility of swirl marks: orbital sanders, as previously stated, remove swirl marks, but improper use can still result in swirl marks.

What is a Palm Sander?

The smallest type of sander is a palm sander, which fits snugly inside the palm of your hand. These tools are incredibly lightweight compared to other hand tools. They are typically far more affordable than other types of sanders and are also quite user-friendly when used on wood. Palm sanders are well suited for precision work on oddly shaped components since they often have a triangular design that fits into nooks and edges easily.

A palm sander doesn't require a lot of pressure to be applied when using it. Instead, you should relinquish control and let it float over the surface. Similar to orbital sanders, a variety of sizes and shapes are available, so it's important to compare manufacturers to make sure you get one that will be practical for your needs.

Pros of Palm Sander-

• Cost-effective: When compared to orbital sanders, palm sanders are less expensive.

• Portable and easy to use: Palm sanders are small and light. As a result, they provide improved control and are appropriate for small areas.

• Suitable for intricate work: Palm sanders are perfect for precise finishes due to their compact size and user-friendliness.

• Versatile: A palm sander can be used for a variety of tasks, such as sanding metal, wood, and other materials.

Cons of Palm Sander-

• Reduced speed: Due to its smaller size and engine, palm sanders sand more slowly than orbital sanders.

• less powerful: Palm sanders are perfect for minor projects because they are not as powerful as orbital sanders.

• fewer possibilities for sandpaper: Because palm sanders employ tiny sanding sheets, there are fewer options for sandpaper.

Orbital Sander Vs. Palm Sander: Main Differences

Power equipment like the palm sander and orbital sander are both wonderful. Both have their perks and limitations and may fit into small spaces. However, it is a good idea to be aware of how the two sanders compare before making a buy. Let's make a detailed comparison now.

1. Based On Power

The orbital sander is more robust than the palm sander in terms of power. In comparison to palm sanders, orbital sanders can remove material more quickly. Compared to palm sanders, orbital sanders will also remove more material.

Although both sanders are regarded as mild, the orbital sander is more powerful and will still remove more material than palm sanders in this comparison.

2. Based On Finishing

A palm sander works better for finishing wood than an orbital sander. Palm sanders are employed on wooden surfaces that wouldn't require stainings, such as cupboards and shelves.

Because of the high quality of a palm sander's finish, you don't necessarily need to stain the wood after using one to sand it. On the other hand, you won't have that luxury with orbital sanders. Even if you use an orbital sander to sand, the surface still needs to be stained or finished.

3. Based On Speed

The orbital sander moves more quickly than the palm sander. A speedy 10,000 orbits per minute can be achieved using orbital sanders. The orbital sander's faster speed is a result of its greater size and power. It is simple to understand why palm sanders are slower than orbital sanders because they are smaller.

4. Based On Price

The price is usually a consideration when purchasing a sander. Orbital sanders cost more than palm sanders when it comes to price. Although there are many different types of power tools available, palm sanders are always a more affordable choice.

5. Based On Weight And Size

The size and weight of the chosen sander are important when sanding a surface since they influence whether or not the sander will be portable and convenient to use. Orbital Sanders are larger than palm Sanders in terms of size. They may fit beneath your palm because Palm Sanders are so little. The typical palm sander is smaller than the orbital sander, despite the existence of larger palm sander models.

Furthermore, orbital sanders weigh more than palm sanders. The common 5-inch orbital sander has a maximum weight of 5 pounds. An orbital sander typically weighs 4 pounds. On the other hand, Palm Sanders weighs anywhere from 1.5 pounds for the smaller variants to 4 pounds for the larger models. A palm sander typically weighs around 2.5 pounds. Both sanders are regarded as portable, lightweight sanders; however, orbital sanders are larger

6. Based On The Size Of A Task

When it comes to the project, orbital sanders are more capable than palm sanders of handling larger surfaces. Tabletops, stools, cabinet doors, and other items like these are better suited for use with palm sanders.

7. Based On Dust Collection

Sanding creates a lot of dust. Sanding removes some of the wood by turning it into sawdust. This means that to keep your workspace organized, you will need some form of dust collection. Both Sanders have built-in dust collection systems. A palm sander has a smaller dust collection system than an orbital sander.

It all depends on how usable you are. If you need a tool to sand a finished project or have done assembling a piece of tiny furniture that you don't plan to paint, you can use a palm sander. But use an orbital sander if you wish to sand a sizable surface. Additionally, surfaces can be cleaned of paint and varnish by using an orbital sander. However, if money is scarce, you should think about using a palm sander.