Few people look forward to sanding drywall, but thankfully there are plenty of tools out there that can make the job quicker and easier. They range from simple handheld grinders to grinders that come with their own dust bag to minimize airborne dust.
We have put together the following articles that explain in detail how each device works and how they differ. We’ve also taken an in-depth look at some of the best drywall sanders currently available to help you choose the right solution for your project.
Those of you who already own a sander may be wondering if a dedicated drywall sander is really necessary. It really depends on the area being studied. While the occasional orbital or detail sander can work on small areas, trying to sand an entire room can quickly become very tiring. Even the simplest drywall sander has the advantages outlined in the next section.
Hand sanding blocks, available at any hardware store, can sand drywall, but their small size and required physical strength make them impractical.
The easiest solution is to install a larger overlay on the rack. No wonder they are called pole grinders. Head can be oval or round with hook and loop sanding disc or sanding screen (see below for details). The best versions include a hose that can be attached to a shop vacuum.
The most obvious achievement is the powered solution. Portable cable grinders or cordless versions can be hand held or attached to a pole. These are actually large diameter drywall orbital sanders. Usually they are connected to a shop vacuum cleaner or their own dust collection system. A freestanding, dust-free sander is not only a quick way to finish drywall, but it also cuts down on cleaning time significantly.
Electric drywall sanders allow DIYers and professionals to work faster. Heads vary in size from 7 to 9 inches, so sufficiently powerful motors are important to drive them efficiently. We recommend at least 5 amps and 600 watts. Consumes up to 7 amps and 800 watts.
Wireless models are rated in volts and reflect battery charge. All of the several models currently available are rated at 20V. Another important factor is the capacity of the battery in amp-hours (Ah). The higher the value, the longer the tool will work without recharging. It is also worth noting that cordless tools are often sold “naked”. While the price looks attractive, the battery and charger cost extra.
Electric drywall grinders also have a variable speed. This provides improved control for fast material removal or finishing. It depends on the model, but the tools we reviewed ran between 500 and 2300 rpm.
Drywall sanding usually involves moving from the floor to the ceiling and maybe even through the ceiling itself. The working range of a drywall sander has a big impact on convenience. Handheld electric models (much like an orbital sander but with a larger head) are usually cheaper than long reach models but require a ladder to get to the top of the wall.
Inexpensive hand sanders with long reach and swivel joints for sanding at different angles. However, a pole may not be included, while the best drywall sanders include telescopic rods. If dust collection is foreseen, it is very important to check the length of the hose. If the length is shorter, the collection bag or shop vacuum will be close to the user and may interfere. Some vacuum bags have shoulder straps to solve this problem.
Weight also has bearings. Most electric models have head-mounted motors. Heavy tools can be tiring, especially if the drywall sander is used above shoulder height for an extended period of time.
Many drywall sanders use inexpensive and easily replaceable hook and loop discs. Various grit sizes are available, from 60 grit for fast material removal to 220 grit for finishing before painting.
The problem with standard sanding discs is that even on drywall sanders with dust extraction, the discs can clog quickly. The sanding screen is a suitable alternative to some tools. The mesh screen is tear resistant and not easily clogged. Many discs can be developed and reused, while discs are usually disposable. You will find a variety of sanding nets for rectangular rod sanders that are attached with clips or clamps. However, it can be difficult to find screens that fit a 9″ head with a hook and loop disc.
The information above contains useful information about the technical aspects of drywall sanders. Now it’s time to look at practical examples. Below are what we consider to be the best drywall sanders in their class.
The WEN 6377 drywall sander is manufactured by a company with a solid reputation for durability and affordability. It follows the general design of wired electric models with head-mounted motors. The product is rated at 5A, 600W and offers variable speed from 600 to 1500 rpm. The head swivels and pivots for use at any angle.
The distinguishing feature of the WEN 6377 is the presence of a triangular head in addition to the typical 9″ round version. Change happens quickly and without tools. This allows the drywall sander to penetrate right into corners, something its competitors don’t. Triangular heads may not be used very often, but hand block sanding is the only option. A starter set of sandpaper is included.
Flexible hose stretches up to 15 feet. While vacuum bags are rarely as effective as a shop vacuum, it would be nice to have one. As is often the case with these tools, the engine is quite heavy. Using it as a ceiling grinder can get boring quickly.
Hand sanders offer an inexpensive solution, but the usual downside (besides the need for manual labor) is that drywall dust gets everywhere.
What makes the Hyde 09170 vacuum sander different is that it includes a hose attachment and an adapter for 1 1/4″, 1 1/2″ or 2 1/2″ hose. This covers the vast majority of store vacancies. You can attach hollow vacuum rods or use any standard broom or trapezoid-threaded paint rod (not included). Users may not achieve the claimed 97% dust collection, but it is much cleaner and more beneficial than simple sanding.
The swivel head is designed to grip the sanding mesh instead of using hook and loop abrasives. Includes washable reusable screen.
For people on a budget or with a small amount of drywall to sand, a hand sander is an inexpensive and effective solution. The Marshalltown model includes a lightweight aluminum pole that many competitors don’t use.
Reinforced die-cast aluminum heads are light, easy to handle and won’t flex, allowing the abrasive to adhere tightly to the wall. Quick clamps are designed to hold the sanding screen and are more durable than sanding discs. You can buy them to size or save even more by buying screens in rolls and cutting them to size.
The downside to Marshalltown hand sanders is the amount of dust they create, so they take extra time to clean. Although respiratory protection is always recommended when sanding drywall, it is essential in this case.
The Handife handheld drywall sander is a compact alternative to models with a motor at the end of a long shaft. With the same weight, it is easier to control, especially with the assist handle. The disadvantage is that it is out of reach and sometimes requires work on the stairs.
Luckily, the vacuum bag, which turns on automatically when you start the grinder, has a comfortable shoulder strap. The motor is a powerful 7A, 800W unit that drives a 7″ head at five speeds from 1200 to 2300rpm.
The head has a ring of LED lights, which is suitable for working in low-light areas. The part of the head frame that helps prevent dust leakage can be removed to be closer to the edge. However, this reduces the suction power of the vacuum cleaner.
The main advantage of the DeWalt cordless drywall sander is the ability to work where there is no electricity. The 20V brushless motor delivers competitive power, driving a 9″ head at 700 to 1200 RPM.
Unfortunately, the recommended 5 Ah battery only lasts about 30 minutes, so a backup battery is needed. Although the instrument is well balanced, there is a slight loss in weight. Automatic dust removal when a compatible DeWalt vacuum cleaner is connected. The DeWalt coupling system provides a very good seal, but makes it impractical to use with other brands of shop vacuums.
The DEWALT Cordless Drywall Sander is a high quality tool that can be combined into a completely cordless drywall sanding solution. However, for many, the cost will be prohibitive.
The Ginour drywall sander is a complete kit that includes not only a vacuum bag and a dozen abrasive discs, but also spare brushes for the motor (the one that most likely wears out first) and tools to replace them.
The 9″ head has a wide range of motion and is attached to a telescopic stem. The motor is a 6A, 750W model with seven speeds from 1000 to 1800rpm. A thirteen-foot flexible hose is attached to a self-activating vacuum bag. While a shop vacuum is an option, maybe the 98% vacuum level is optimistic.
As with these tools, there is an LED lighted ring and the head frame sections can be removed to sand corners. Everything can be stored in a convenient carrying bag.
The Power Pro drywall sander has a fairly common design. Several other manufacturers make very similar drywall vacuum sanders, so small differences matter.
Where the Power Pro outperforms most competitors is in the power and versatility of the motor. This is a 6.7A, 800W unit with best in class speed range from 500 to 1800rpm. There are standard LED light rings and removable frame sections to get to the corners. Interestingly, the frame is equipped with ball bearings designed to provide a smoother ride. Automatic vacuum bags and bags are also available.
It is relatively heavy, with the weight concentrated on the head. It can be tiring to control, in fact, Power Pro recommends taking frequent breaks. They rated the dust removal efficiency above 80%. It may be refreshingly honest, but it means 20% of the dust is escaping, requiring more cleaning.
The Yattich drywall sander has a lot in common with the Ginour and Power Pro tools. A 9″ multi-position head is used in conjunction with a vacuum bag to provide a convenient and portable all-in-one solution.
The 6A, 710W motor on the Yattich is fine, though not particularly powerful. Seven speeds, from 1000 to 1800 rpm. The telescoping handle has an advantage over most competitors, being only 3.6 feet long when closed and 5.9 feet when fully open. It also has a rear handle, which is especially handy considering it’s a bit heavy on the head.
LED rings and conventional detachable frame sections complete the specification. Although there is nothing outstanding about the Yattich Drywall Sander, it is a worthy tool at an attractive price.
The WEN 6377 Variable Speed Drywall Sander is a great all-rounder. It is flexible, durable, competitively priced, and has a triangular head that sets it apart from the competition. The Hyde 09170 hand sander is basic, but adding a hose is a smart idea that prevents the user from being completely covered in nasty dust.
As an engineer, I am well versed in the technical aspects of these tools. As someone who has done a complete renovation of two houses, I have hands-on experience sanding drywall. I also did a lot of research on the toolset currently available, as well as the opinions of users and independent reviewers.
We have tried to cover drywall sanding methods for all budgets. While motorized models are undeniably more efficient for larger jobs, we offer an affordable manual version that makes even relatively small tasks much easier.
Regardless of the type or cost of a drywall sander, build quality is also a key feature. Drywall dust can wreak havoc on joints, gears, and motors, so it’s important that our picks withstand these harsh conditions.
In the section above, we have covered the technical aspects of the best drywall sanders and provided a selection of the best models currently available. While this information may answer many questions, during our research we found some additional questions that often come up. They are included below.
For minor repairs to drywall, a fine grinder is suitable. For larger areas, especially when it comes to multiple rooms, drywall sanders are faster and most offer better dust control.
you can. Any good hand sander will do, although the job will take quite a while and most don’t have dust controls.
It can be suggested. Noise levels above 80 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires hearing protection for noise levels above 85 dB in work situations. Many drywall sanders are around this level, but even quieter ones can be uncomfortable with prolonged exposure.
Yes. Drywall dust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prolonged exposure may cause coughing, sputum production and asthma-like shortness of breath. The use of some kind of mask when sanding is absolutely essential. We recommend using respirators with replaceable filters.
Drywall dust is very fine and gets everywhere. Wetting it with a stream of water will help it adhere and make it easier to clean. Any atomizer that produces a fairly fine mist will do. You don’t want to soak things, just keep them damp. Then use a soft broom to sweep out as much dust as possible. Finally, vacuum. Drywall dust can easily clog household vacuum cleaners, so a store-bought vacuum cleaner is recommended.
Post time: Aug-05-2023