Sanding is often one of the most important - albeit mundane - steps in woodworking and finishing. Whether you're prepping timber for a smooth finish, stripping paint or refining edges, choosing the right sander and method can transform your project from average, to professional quality. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of a variety of sanders, so you can choose the perfect one for your workshop.

Sanding machines: the workhorse of the workshop

For those who create larger-scale projects, a sanding machine will be one of the most used in the workshop, offering speed, precision, and a finish no one can argue with. Let's take a look at some options:

Belt & disc sanders

These versatile machines combine a belt and disc sander in one, making them ideal for rapid stock removal, shaping, and fine smoothing. The belt’s continuous abrasive loop quickly removes material and smooths edges, while adjustable tilting tables allow for accurate sanding of compound angles and mitres.

Alternatively, there are sole disc sander or belt sander options available, if you don't require both functions:

Bobbin sanders

When dealing with tricky curves and contours, bobbin sanders are the perfect choice. Typically compatible with a range of spindle sizes, the bobbins oscillate vertically, leaving a smooth, clean finish.

Drum sanders

Drum sanders are excellent at preparing large, flat panels for your projects. Offering consistent pressure and an even finish, it uses a rotating drum, wrapped in abrasive to remove fine layers of wood as the timber is fed through a conveyor belt. At Axminster Tools, we offer a few different drum sander options: open drum models (great for large pieces of timber), as well as dual drum designs (run two different grit belts simultaneously). Fancy reading more about how a drum sander could improve your workflow? Read our blog.

Learn more

Read our blog about machinery sanders here.

Power tool sanders

Of course, a machine might not be the best fit for your work, especially if you're on site or need to travel. This is where power tool sanders come in useful.

Random orbit sanders

Proving very popular, random orbit sanders are a great all purpose tool. They combine rotation and oscillation to smooth surfaces efficiently and with less visible patterning.

Belt sanders

Robust and powerful, belt sanders operate at high speed to remove large amounts of material quickly. They’re particularly effective for stripping or levelling broad surfaces, such as floors.

Palm sanders

Use a palm sander for small to medium sized jobs such as resurfacing furniture. They will remove the surface of the wood, leaving a smooth finish, however be careful not to place too much pressure on the sander. This will wear out the abrasive, so keep it light.

Discover more

Read more about power tool sanding methods via our blog.

Hand sanding

Despite the power and speed of machines, hand sanding remains irreplaceable for many stages of a project:

  • Detailing edges and corners where machines can’t reach

  • Final smoothing before staining or finishing

  • Touch‑ups after machine sanding

Hand sanding gives you control that no machine can match. It’s especially useful between finish coats and for delicate mouldings or carvings. Always start with a coarser grit and progress to a finer grit to eliminate scratches and achieve smoothness.

Some sanding tips...

No matter which method or tool you use, good sanding technique matters:

  • Start coarse, finish fine – Work through grit progression for best results.

  • Let the tool do the work – Don’t press too hard; excessive pressure can cause swirl marks or uneven surfaces.

  • Work with the grain – Especially for wood, sanding with the grain minimizes visible scratches.

  • Dust control matters – Connect vacuum extraction where possible to keep your workspace clean and your sanding effective.

Understanding different sanding methods empowers you to choose the right tool for the job and elevate your woodworking results. From heavy‑duty workshop machines to fine hand sanding, each method has its place in your workflow. Explore these tools at Axminster Tools to build a sanding setup that suits both your projects and budget.