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The Best Drywall Sanding Tools

Using proper tools has a big influence on how the final project will look. Prepare drywall joints carefully before applying paint, or the seams will look like an amateur job, full of bumps, ripples and irregularities. Carefully taping the seams, applying joint compound, allowing it to dry, then properly sanding the joints delivers a smooth surface ready to be painted. The sandpaper grit texture is also important for a smooth joint.
  1. Hand Sanding Tools For Small Jobs

    • Sanding drywall wearing a mask

      Evaluate the size of the job and what sanding tools are best. Is it a one-time job, or will you be doing more? For a small job, a hand sander and 150 grit sanding paper should be fine. You can find many types of hand sanders to do the job. Although it is a little more expensive, many manufacturers offer sanding paper precut to fit their various styles of sanders. Add a sanding sponge for getting into corners and finishing around details.Wear a nuisance-dust rated mask, goggles to protect your eyes, and cover your head.

    Heavy-Duty Dustless Sanders for Professionals

    • Power Sanders

      Sanding drywall for large jobs requires heavy-duty equipment. Dustless sanders like the Porter Cable Drywall Sander are a good choice when you need high productivity. It covers large areas quickly but is expensive and also has downsides. At 8.5 pounds, it is heavy and your shoulders and arm will tire quickly. The head is too large for small or tight spaces, so you need another sander for those areas.

    Dustless Sanders for Do-It-Yourselfers and Small Contractors

    • Read consumer ratings for lighter-duty but efficient dustless sanders and choose one for your needs. Two highly rated products are the Dustless Turbo Drywall Sander 50001 from Love-Less Ash, which claims its optional Micro Pre-filter will capture airborne particles down to .5 microns. This is valuable when dealing with ultra-fine dust. The air turbine in the orbital head of Global Industries' Dustless Turbo Drywall Sander with 7 foot pole delivers 10,000 RPMs for speed and includes coarse 80 grit Magic Mesh sand paper.

    It's Not Only the Sander

    • Choose the right sandpaper for the job

      Adding items like sandpaper and the vacuum, in the case of dustless sander models, increases or changes cost and performance. Users typically purchase -- separately -- vacuums for most dustless models. Quality, capacity and price varies. The sandpaper also varies widely in price and performance. When sanding drywall joints, 120 to 150 grit is the recommended grit for a nice, smooth finish . While 80 grit is included with the Global Industries model, and does the job faster, lightweight joint compound is fairly soft. Coarse grit or sanding screens will leave marks