When working on metal projects, sanding is a crucial process; some might say it is the most essential part of the project. Which is why you need the best metal sander to get your work done seamlessly.
Projects can range from metal finishing to knife making. Regardless of what metal project you are working on, only the perfect metal sander is going to make your sanding work easier.
A word of advice, though: there are plenty of other senders out there, for example, wood sanders, floor sanders, wall sanders, etc. But never use them in your metalwork. Why, do you ask? The answer is obvious, isn’t it? It is going to ruin your work.
With this disclaimer out of the way, let’s move on to the bigger question: how do you find the perfect metal sander for your project? Well, this article is here just to answer that question. Below, we have listed some of the top-rated metal sanders out there.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
5 Best Sanders for Metal – Reviews
After surfing through the available options on the market, we have picked out the top few best metalworking sanders that will deliver the most satisfying results. So let’s look into the picks:
1. WEN 6515T
The best sanding experience you can achieve is when the sander has not only an efficient belt but also an accompanying disc to make the sanding process run smoothly. The Wen sander does precisely that.
Its strap is long, with dimensions of 1 to 30 inches, and the disc that comes along helps you to reach every nook and cranny that you are trying to cut up.
However, what is an excellent sander without a motor that gives ample power to carry out your work effectively?
The Wen Sander serves this purpose well by providing a power of about 3160 FPM for the belt and 3450 RPM for the disc. All of this is achieved by a motor that runs with an ammeter of 2.3.
It can be very inconvenient if the machine moves and wobbles while you are doing your operation. In spite of that, worry no more, as this tool comes with a strong base that prevents such unnecessary wobbling.
Accordingly, while using a sander on metals, you can expect a lot of dust and debris, creating a big mess. These particles can even get into your eyes and injure you. Most importantly, they will make your home and your workstation unclean.
So, to solve this issue, the innovative Wen sander has dust ports that work as a vacuum cleaner and suck out all the dust produced from sanding. Thus, you will get your work done quickly without any mess and sneezing.
Pros
- Comes with a motor of 2.3 A
- Disc is about 5 inches in dimensions
- Two dust ports to vacuum out dust
- Strong, heavy-duty base that prevents wobbling
Cons
- Speed of the belt cannot be regulated
- Might make a lot of noise when used on metals
2. Grizzly H6070
The second pick on our list isn’t any less than its predecessor. It also comes with a belt that is about 1×30 inches long.
Moreover, the disc that accompanies the belt is approximately 5 inches in diameter, which gives you added flexibility to work with ease.
Likewise, a fantastic feature of the Grizzly sander is that both the belt and disc tilt at an angle of about 45 degrees. This allows you to shape up and contour any metal you are working on without having any blunt or unpleasant-looking sides.
Now coming to the issue of power, the motor of this machine is highly efficient and effective. It runs at an HP which is about 1/3, and the voltage it offers is 110 V. Consequently, with an available amount of power consumption, you are getting an RPM of about 3450.
Additionally, having a belt platen to guard the belt and prevent it from getting stuck is an added flexibility. If that belt platen is removable, it comes as a bonus.
Not only this, but the machine also comes with an idler roller guard. This guard prevents it from wobbling and having all kinds of unnecessary motion that might disrupt your workflow.
Pros
- Comes with removable belt platen
- Idler roller guard prevents any wobbling
- Both a disk and a belt of suitable dimensions available
- The disc and belt tilt at an angle of 45 degrees
Cons
- Product is sold partially assembled
- Motor malfunctions if not maintained properly
Also Read- Wen 6502 belt disc sander in-depth review
3. JET J-41002
The Jet Sander is big in size and shape compared to the previously mentioned suggestions and thus very suitable for big projects.
It has a belt with the dimensions of 2 inches to 42 inch that allows you to achieve smoother edges and contoured surfaces.
Moreover, the disc that comes with it is 8 inches in diameter, which allows you to rotate the machine and achieve more precision.
The miter gauge turns at 45 degrees angle, allowing you to tilt the disc and belt according to your convenience.
Similarly, the deluxe miter gauge secures the belt and the disc in either position, left or right.
So you can work with the machine comfortably without any misplacement issues. The wheels are covered with idlers that are also hinged.
On top of this, the tables are set in such a way that if you tilt the belts and discs, you can set up the position of the table just the way you like.
Nevertheless, it is very painful to work with a manual saw. It takes up a lot of your energy and also cannot guarantee precision.
This machine, with its large size, gives you the service of a jigsaw but with more precision and smoother cutting.
Not just this, its flexible parts give you the freedom to get into small nooks and openings to sand all desired areas.
Pros
- Comes with rubber feet
- Base is made up of heavy-duty steel
- Machine’s body is primarily made of cast iron
- Comes with a dust deflector and chute
- Powerful motor
Cons
- The bigger size could be a hassle for some
- Wobbling might be an issue
4. 1/3HP Disc & Belt Sanders
This automated machine gives you exactly the results you want. It works as a jigsaw or handheld saw, but its electric motor connectivity provides more control.
In this way, you can contour and sand any metal correctly and precisely without going through the trouble of redoing any edge. In the same way, to achieve your desired results, the machine comes with a motor having a power of about 1/3 HP.
The belt and the disc of this machine have dimensions similar to most others mentioned in this list. A 1×30 inch belt accompanied by a 5-inch disc lets you work flexibly without getting stuck at any point. The motor works relentlessly to offer a consistent source of power.
However, a wobbling machine that moves while you are doing the job of sanding can give you quite a lot of trouble. This makes the result imperfect and cannot provide you with satisfaction.
Therefore, to prevent the machine from wobbling, it has a benchtop stand that fixes it to a particular position while you are working. The stability offered by this stand helps you to achieve polished grinding and sanding.
Pros
- Comes with a belt and a disc
- Motor offers a power of 1/3 HP
- Has a benchtop stand
- Engine provides an efficient supply of power
Cons
- Disc and belt do not tilt
- No dust chutes
5. Grizzly 389001
The Grizzly Sander is the best metal sander machine you can find because it is specifically made for serving this purpose.
It is one of the most comfortable sanders for metalwork due to its extremely elongated belt. The belt comes at a length of about 79 inches, which is longer than the other picks mentioned in this list.
Despite its dimensions, the machine is lightweight and easy to carry. Having a belt this long allows you to achieve precision while doing any metalwork.
The versatility it offers gives you all the satisfaction that a metal sander hand tool has to offer.
Furthermore, the motor allows the belt to move at a super-fast speed of about 3937 RPM, which lets you smooth out the edges perfectly. Nevertheless, the belt does not heat up.
The machine has a stand that lets you put it in a specific position while doing your work. This saves you the trouble of having to carry its weight.
Another bonus is that the head of the metal sander tool can be tilted at different angles to suit your needs. As a result, you get the perfect finish on any metal you work on.
Pros
- 79-inch long belt
- Specifically meant for sanding metals
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Belt does not heat up despite high power
Cons
- Does not come with a suitable disc
- Has no dust vacuum
FAQ
Q. Do I need eye protection while working with a sander?
If the sander comes with dust chutes and vacuums, eye protection is not necessary. Otherwise, it is recommended.
Q. What do I do when my sander is overheating?
If such a situation arises, unplug the machine and let it rest for some time.
Q. How do I prevent dust from clogging the machine?
If your sander comes with a dust chute, this problem won’t be severe. Nevertheless, you should clean the machine from time to time.
Q. What can I do if the table the sander is sitting on vibrates too much?
In such cases, check if there is an accumulation of dust beneath the table. If so, clean it up to prevent vibration.
Conclusion
Now that we have come to the end of this article, we hope that you are well versed on which sander is the best metal sander. So next time you or any of your friends are confused about which is the best sander for metal, refer to this article.