Decorating Tools
Best Sanders For Decorating
Updated 10th November 2008
There are now a vast variety of sanders available with cordless and multipurpose models appearing in recent years. Despite all the innovations the powered sander is a horrible tool to use due to vibration and dust dispersal. Many models have dust extraction bags or can be attached to vacuum cleaners but both methods have drawbacks. Vacuum cleaners restrict movement and create noise. Dust bags and filters become clogged very quickly and reduce suction.
Breaking News
Fredshed testing new dustless sanding system
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The Abranet sanding system requires hand power and a vacuum cleaner to attach the hose to. I am testing the system with it attached to a Henry vacuum cleaner. The really clever part of the Abranet sanding system is the mesh sanding sheets that allow dust particles to pass right through and then into the vacuum hose. These abrasive sheets use aluminum oxide to remove material and seem to last at least 5 times longe than normal aluminium oxide sheets. The Abranet abrasive is velcro backed so can be cut to shape to fit other makes of sander.
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I am now testing the new Abranet
sanding system from Mirka of Finland who have been supplying an industrial
version of their sanding system to the marine and automotive
industries from many years. The DIY version of the system fits a Henry vacuum but performs best with the dedicated Mirka dust extraction vacuum. This fantastic machine costs around £200 but a more domestic version from Uk manufacturer Earlex is available with power take off socket for around £80 see details on power take off vacuum cleaner Also I will be testing the latest orbital sander from Metabo of Germany which has washable fibreglass filters and adjustable orbit pattern, |
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Sanding sheets
Another "hidden" problem with sanders is the cost and availability of the sanding sheets. This applies mostly to the velcro style pads for DIY models which can be very expensive. One of the big problems with sanding sheets is clogging, especially on gloss paints and varnish. This clogging is made worse by powered sanders as the heat melts the paint into a sticky goo. The new Abranet "dustless sanding system2 uses mesh to enable dust particles to pass through and be extracted.
If you want to buy the excellent new Abranet dust free sanding set click this link.
I have tested many sanders over the years and although none are perfect here are a few of the ones I liked.
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Big Orbital Sanders for Walls and flat surfaces This Draper 280w sander costs about £25 and is a good workhorse sander with easily obtainable sheets. Draper is a UK company who have a history of sourcing cheap but effective powertools that are ideal for DIY use. The sander comes with a dustbag for small jobs or can be attached to a standard vacuum cleaner - which makes it a bit harder to use, but much cleaner. A pack of 10 pads (size 227 *115mm) costs around £2. |
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Delta shape Detail Sanders for awkward areas This little sander from Draper is suitable for awkward areas like window and door frames, skirting board and architraves. The detail sander is such a simple machine that it is not worth buying an expensive one unless you use it everyday. The standard size delta shape pads are easily available and come in a range of grades. if you use the vacuum dust extraction then you will need pads with holes in for this to work effectively. A pack of 10 pads costs around £3 and the machine itself is under £20 |
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| The picture right shows the Black and Decker mouse sander being used with a vacuum
cleaner. The result is NO DUST. However whilst this is fine on walls
it is not so easy in confined spaces around window frames. Overall the Mouse is a very useful tool but was let down by excessive vibration that numbs your hand. It also uses Velcro backed sanding sheets that are relatively expensive, especially if you are sanding gloss paint which is liable to clog the sandpaper rather quickly and render it useless. The same sanding pads fit the Quattro and Sandstorm sanders too. £4-£5 pack of 5 depending on the type. The new Gel tech Mouse Sander from Black and Decker has the addition of a detachable base with detail extensions for hard to reach places such as window frames and around architrave. It also has Gel pads in the body to absorb the vibration - maybe someone at B&D read my feature? price guide approx £35 TOP TIP! Use the abranet sanding system with the mouse connected to a vacuum for amazing performance and cost savings in long term use. |
Black & Decker Mouse Sander
buy the new improved,Gel tech mouse sander (not shown) from Amazon -inc delivery!
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Fein Multimaster - Professional Tool and the ultimate detail sander? This expensive but superb German made tool works by oscillating its head from side to side 3 degrees up to 21000 times a minute. The result is superb sanding performance with little kickback and minimal clogging. The multimaster can be used with dust extraction and has the usual delta sanding sheets and this amazing tungsten carbide rasp that rips paint and varnish off and outlasts sandpaper many times. see more at http://www.fredshed.co.uk/feinmultimastertested.htm
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Best Caulking Gun/No Dribble mastic gun
| Mastic or caulking guns are used by professional
builders and decorators to apply a range of fillers, adhesives etc
from standard size tubes. This is the most efficient and cost
effective way of using material. Most mastic guns have a metal frame and suffer badly from material continuing to spill out even when you release the trigger. This new gun has a clever mechanism that stops dribble and even allows you to suck in fluids into an empty tube if required. It also takes longer size tubes up to 600mm as it has no frame. This innovative product costs a mere £12.99. So guys -stop dribbling and e-mail me on fred@fredshed.com to get yours now. Decorating is much more fun when you have the best equipment!
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Classic Mastic Gun The Fischer mastic gun is the classic no-nonsense design. Unlike the £2 specials it will last years and is a joy to use Fischer products (including the best wallplugs) can be found at Wickes DIY stores.. |
Loose fitting Wall plugs - save the day with Fischer Wet-n-fix
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You know the story, your putting up shelves, drill a hole, go to push in the wall plug and dam!, the hole is too big and the wall plug is wobbly. Then you have to drill another hole, and move the shelves up an inch and get out the filler to repair the other hole. This problem usually occurs because you are either crap at DIY or- you have soft plaster that crumbles when drilled.
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Well curse no more, simply soak the Wet-n-Fix disc in
water, wrap it around the wall plug and push it in . 3 minutes later
it is ready for screwing - magic!
I have found this product to be extremely useful when repairing other peoples bodges (like loose curtain rails and collapsing shelves) Obviously I I have never bodged a job myself but keep some available just in case.
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Ian Bridle, builder, decorator and fredshed tool tester
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Meet Ian Bridle, he is a self employed and very experienced builder and decorator. Ian has tested many building and decorating tools for fredshed and broken most of them! At least we know that the surviovors are truly shedworthy and will give plenty of value.
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The Shavehook - best tool for removing loose paint
| If you are preparing "whitework" for painting then it
is important to remove any loose paint and get into the corners to
clear out those cracks.
A shavehook is a fantastic tool that has 3 different edges on it for removing paint from awkward places. For instance if you place the tip into the corner of a door or window frame and pull it down, it will tear out all the old paint with ease. Shavehooks have been around for years and are a favorite tool of professional decorators. The model shown here has the most comfortable handle I have tried. It has superb ergonomics and a rubberized grip. |
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Super Glue not so Super? Which is the best all round glue? I have bought so many tubes of super glue and the only thing it has successfully held together is my fingers! Doh. In fact super glue is so good for this that surgeons even use it! However if you have a bit of trim or plastic to repair, or even wood and metal then the best and easiest to use glue I have found is this Extreme repair from Unibond. I am also a fan or Araldite glue and used it for many years to hold parts of my motorbike together. As I'm still alive this is some testament to its strength. Unlike Araldite Extreme Repair Glue does not need to be mixed and squeezes easily from a tube. And Unlike superglue this tube has a proper cap and does not go dry or need a fiddly pin stuck in it!
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Draper Folding Sack-Wheels
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Sack Wheels are one of the most useful and time
tested pieces of equipment that you could possibly have in your
garage or workshop.
Normal sack wheels are heavy and difficult to store . Draper have come up with a solution to both problems with this excellent new product. Despite being lightweight, this product is strong and well made. It can carry up to 90kg and has a non-slip die cast aluminium plate and a soft-grip handle. |
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