- A sheet sander utilizes a back and forth motion combined with a swirling motion. It costs less than an orbital sander and uses standard sheet sandpaper. This sander has a rectangle shaped pad and can sand into corners. The sandpaper is held on the sanding pad by a clip on each end.
- Orbital sanders utilize a circular motion and a random orbital motion at the same time. The orbital sander never sands the same spot more than once as you move it across the wood surface. This sander uses round peel and stick--or what is called hook and loop--sandpaper. Hook and loop sandpaper has a felt-like backing that will stick to the looped surface of the sanding pad.
- Sheet sanders use a slower sanding motion than orbital sanders and are more suited when speed of sanding is not an issue, and they work better on wood surfaces that do not require heavy sanding. Sheet sanders are easier to control when you need to sand edges. This sander costs less than an orbital sander and the sandpaper is also cheaper. Sheet sanders often leave sanding marks in the surface of the wood because they do not use a random sanding pattern.
- Orbital sanders cost more than most sheet sanders and the sandpaper is also more expensive. The orbital sander is less likely to leave sanding marks and can quickly sand rough surfaces. This sander cannot sand into corners and has the potential to leave grooves or pits in the surface of the wood if you hold it one spot too long or apply too much pressure.
- Change to finer grit sandpaper when using a sheet sander to remove sanding marks. Using the same grit sandpaper for each sanding of the surface will just leave more sanding marks. Do not hold an orbital sander at an angle or hold it on one spot for too long. This will eliminate having pits or grooves in the surface of your wood.
