Hi, I’m looking to pick up a random orbital sander. The sander I’m looking at has the option of variable speed or single speed, but not sure which one to get. How useful is variable speed on a sander? Or are most people just using them on full speed. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Single vs variable speed sander
- Thread starter jgelack
- Start date
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
The combination of different grits and speeds gives flexibility when it comes to different materials and finish quality.
tyyost
Well-known member
Variable speed is really only useful if you plan to do more than sand wood. The slow speeds can be used to apply finishes and wax on woodworking projects. You could even polish and buff auto paint with the right pads and machine. I usually only slow my handhelds down to run a scotchbrite pad to keep it from self destructing. I have an older Porter Cable rt angle sander that was also sold as a polisher that I use when I detail the cars, I don’t slow it down much but I do slow it down some until I get the feel of it all back so I don’t get carried away.
variable speed for sure .
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Always go for variable speed if given the option, there's no down side.
neophyte
Well-known member
Variable speed is definitely useful, but the first thing that usually fails on tool are the cariable speed modules if something fails.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
On electric sanders used by homeowners it's not that big of a deal on electric or air sanders used by bodymen it is a big deal as slowing the sander down is crucial for both surface prep and color sanding. Variable speed is never a detriment and for some purposes a necessity.