How to Sand Wood With an Orbital Sander
The oscillating action of an orbital sander makes a rapid, circular motion and can produce a very fine finish on wood grain. Selecting the correct sanding disc is vital for getting great results. Start with coarse grit paper and use that grade to even out the lumber's surface. Use a mid-grit paper to remove any gouging and scratches that may have been created by the coarse grit. Move up to a fine grit paper to polish the surface.
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Instructions
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Secure the piece of wood you want to sand to the work bench. An unsecured work piece can flip towards you and cause injury.
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Select a disc of coarse sandpaper and install it. Many sanders use hook-and-loop. Just line up the holes and attach the paper. You may need to clean away any residual dust first.
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Place the sander on the piece of wood. All of the sander's disc surface should be in contact with the work piece.
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Hold the sander firmly. Don't cover the air vents--the air vents need to be unobstructed to avoid overheating. Keep your head away from the sanding area. Hair can get drawn into the sander and you could get scalped.
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Turn on the sander and move it slowly over the wood. Make crosswise movements and flatten the surface. Don't sand on one spot too long or push down--this is partly to avoid overheating and partly to avoid wearing out the sandpaper prematurely. Excessive pressure will also slow down the motor.
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Switch off the sander and replace the sandpaper. This time, use mid-grit paper.
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Turn on the sander and move it slowly over the wood again. Make crosswise movements, parallel lines, or circles---your choice--to remove any scratches.
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Repeat with fine sandpaper. This time, be very careful not to gouge or scratch. Go very slowly and don't force pressure on the tool. The slower you go, the better finish you will obtain.
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Tips & Warnings
Overheating can be remedied by removing the sanding disc and running the sander load-free to cool it.
