Hi @ttaipari
I think the most applicable comment b y @JacobZ is the options are vast. There are few things to consider to get the ball rolling:
Sanders are one of the few power tools that are used for extended periods of time. Users often state that they hardly will use the sander. Which is fine, but when they do it could be for a couple of hours at a time. This typically means the motor is heating up without a rest. This is called duty cycle. (Runtime vs rest time). DIY models have a much shorter duty cycle than trade quality. Corded tools in any brand have a shorter duty cycle than "Brushless" cordless. But limited to battery run time. Personally I am 100% cordless with all my tools and have been for a decade or more with exception of my pressure washer. Even my workshop vac is cordless.
So the first question is . . .
1. How often do you intend to use these tools? This determines price point as in DIY or trade. Trade will have those extra features and fine attention to detail making them more user friendly and efficient to use. But it comes at a cost.
2. Budget? If you are like me, I like to buy the best I can afford because I look after my tools and want it to last. But I still mix and match with tools used all the time vs occasionally. I have trade orbital and ROS, but a Ryobi belt sander because I almost never use it.
3. Cordless or Corded? If cordless are you already in a battery system? If so can you stick to that system and just invest in expanding. Belt sanders are very thirsty and probably the only sander I would recommend corded.
With all that in mind, if your just starting out and unsure how invested you will be, Then start with good quality DIY
With type of sanders to look at, then. I would say potentially all 4 because of your application.
1. Orbital (finishing) 1/4 or 1/2 sheet. These tools will leave tiny swirl marks so hand sanding is required before sanding.
2. Detail Orbital. As above but have smaller pointed footprint.
3. Random Orbital. My Fav. Ultra efficient from course to fine stock removal. Leave very very fine swirl marks. When comparing specs, the smaller the orbital movement in mm the finer the finish.
4. Belt Sander. Very aggressive. Ideal for course rapid stock removal of large flat surfaces only. This is probably the last one I would buy should you ever need it.
Dust extraction.
I wont go in to the detail but all DIY M-Class vacs are not fully M-class compliant. They suck the debris fine, but then you are fully exposed during the emptying process making them essentially a standard vac that has exposed you to harmful debris. But for your purpose, stick with a high-wattage standard model. They are all wet and dry and you will only use dry. The most important thing to consider when looking at sanders is whats their ability to connect to dust extraction? Surprisingly both DIY brands have the same extraction size tube across their own models. Which means without an adaptor they wont even connect to their own dust extraction vacs. Where trade will. Powerful (Ryobi) make a universal adaptor that will cross fit pretty much any brand.
Hope this gets you started.
Happy to answer more questions to help narrow the search down.
Nailbag
