Bosch Professional GTR 55-225 Drywall Sander (550 Watt, Sanding Disc Diameter 215 mm, Includes 1 x Sanding Sheet M480, 1 x Soft Sanding Disc Set, 3 x Cable Clips, in Craftsman's Case

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For small drywall repairs, a finishing sander can do a reasonable job. For large areas, particularly those projects that include more than one room, a drywall sander is faster. Plus, most offer much better dust control, making it one of the best drywall sanding tools for the job. Q. Can you use a hand sander to sand drywall? Many drywall sanders use hook-and-loop discs that are inexpensive and easy to change. A range of grits is available and includes anywhere from 60 grit for fast material removal to 220 grit for final finishing before painting. In the sections above, we looked at the technical aspects of the best drywall sanders and offered a selection of some of the top models currently available. While that information may have answered many questions, during our research we found a number of other concerns that crop up often. Answers to those are included below. Q. Is a drywall sander worth it?

Yes, you can. Any good hand sander can be used, though the job will take considerably longer, and most have no kind of dust control. Q. Should I use ear protection when using drywall sanders? The swiveling head is designed to clamp a sanding screen rather than using hook-and-loop abrasives. A washable, reusable screen is included, and it will work with any standard broom or painter’s pole with an Acme thread (no pole is provided). The Marshalltown pole is also extremely high quality, with aluminum construction and a smooth paint finish—the pole is so nice that we’d like to use it for other tools. Unfortunately, we can’t because both ends are female threads (one universal, one machine), so it won’t work with any other pole-mounted tools. Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement. Automatic sanders use corded electricity to rotate their sanding pads, which requires much less user effort to operate. They do require a bit of a learning curve though, and if you’re inexperienced, you can accidentally gauge your wall or ceiling.With a round pad that offers both rotating and orbital movement, random orbital sanders are ideal as an all-rounder. Their versatility allows them to effectively function like a belt Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drywall dust can cause eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation. Long exposure can lead to coughing, phlegm production, and breathing difficulties similar to asthma. Using some kind of mask while sanding is absolutely vital. We recommend a half-mask respirator with replaceable filters. Q. What is the best way to get rid of drywall dust? But with so many options, it can be hard to start to look for the right one. To help make the search process easier, we researched and tested some of the top options. We performed 4 days of drywall sanding with each of the models below to put them through a real-deal hands-on test.

The 7-amp motor on the Yattich offers plenty of speed. There are seven speeds, from 1,000 to 1,850 rpm. The telescoping handle does have an advantage over most competitors, being just 3.6 feet long when closed and 5.9 feet long when fully open. It also has a rear handle, which is especially useful for control given the somewhat heavy head. No power? No problem. The DeWalt cordless drywall sander offers the ability to work in locations where no electricity is available. The 20-volt brushless motor delivers competitive power, driving the 9-inch head at speeds from 700 to 1,200 rpm. It also features a wireless on/off control when paired with a compatible dust collector.We want to make sure that any of the drywall sanders we suggest are up to typical household tasks. Even if the DIYer only needs it for a job or two, it’s important to us that these tools feel like they will last and work well. We called upon all of our experience with drywall, power tools, hand tools, and DIY projects to come up with a list of the most important features that we feel are necessary. Manual drywall sanders offer a broad, flat surface to put sandpaper on, but you have to move the sander with just your hands and some elbow grease. Although they aren’t as fast, they’re much cheaper and lighter than automatic versions. You can even find a manual head attachment with a mount to screw it onto a broom handle you have lying around the house. Dust Collection Weight also is an important factor. Most electric models have head-mounted motors. A heavy tool will prove tiring, particularly if the drywall sander is used above shoulder height for extended periods. Sanding Discs and Screens

Comes with 2 different sanding head shapes for bulk sanding and getting into tight spaces (and they’re easy to swap) Electric drywall sanders also offer variable speeds. This offers improved control for rapid material removal or fine finishing. It varies depending on the model, but the tools we considered ran anywhere from 500 to 2,000 rpm. Flexibility, Hose Length, and Weight Electric drywall vacuum sanders allow DIYers and professionals to work faster. Heads vary in size from 7 inches to 9 inches, so a reasonably powerful motor is important to drive them efficiently. We would recommend 5 amps, and models with up to 7 amps are readily available.

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For those on a tight budget or who have only a modest amount of drywall to sand, a manual pole sander is a cheap and efficient solution. This model from Marshalltown is just that, and it includes a lightweight aluminum pole, which is something many rivals omit. The reinforced cast-aluminum head is light, maneuverable, and doesn’t flex, thus keeping the abrasive flat against the wall. We liked how free swiveling it is while not simply flipping over and marring the compound like many pole sanders tend to do. Those who already own a sander might wonder whether a dedicated drywall sander is really necessary. It really depends on the area that needs to be sanded. While random orbital or detail sanders can cope with small areas, trying to sand a whole room soon becomes very tiring. Even at their simplest, drywall sanders have the advantage, as the following section explains. Types of Drywall Sanders One of the big benefits of the Wen 6377 is the inclusion of a triangular head in addition to the typical 8.5-inch round version. Changing between heads is easy and tool-free. This allows the drywall sander to reach right into corners, something none of its competitors offer. It also has adjustable speeds that vary between 600 and 1,500 rpm.