What Are Sanding Pads Used For?

Hand Sanding

• Many hand sanding tools consist of a sanding pad with a handle or other ergonomic attachment. Sandpaper is attached to the sanding pad with clips or fastening devices. The user grips the handle and moves the sandpaper along the work surface in order to achieve a smooth finish. Using a tool, rather than sandpaper alone, allows more even pressure to be applied along the work surface. Furniture, molding and other flat wood surfaces are commonly sanded this way.

Drywall Finishing

• Hand sanders can also be used to smooth joint compound on drywall before painting. In this application, the sanding pad is commonly attached to a pole rather than a handle, allowing the user to access a larger work area.

Detail Sanding

• Specialized sanding pads are manufactured for sanding in tight, small or contoured work areas. These types of sanders either have a sandpaper mounting system like other hand sanders or a hook and loop system is used to attach specialized sandpaper to the tool. Still other tools are made of an abrasive material and require no sandpaper. These types of sanders are frequently used on boats, detailed moldings and other surfaces that cannot be reached with larger, more general purpose tools.

Power Sanding

• Sanding pads are an integral part of several different types of power sanders. In these instances, the sanding pad is the portion of the tool that holds the sandpaper. The tool, when turned on, moves the pad along the work surface more rapidly than one could by hand. Handheld power palm sanders, orbital sanders, random orbital sanders and power detail sanders all make use of sanding pads. Depending on the tool, either regular sandpaper is attached to the pad or specialized sandpaper is attached to the pad with a hook and loop system.