Three images show Einhell sanders grinding wood and stone.

Two images show Einhell sanders sanding wood outdoors.

By Frank Rath

Published on 17 Jun 2019 |
12 min reading time

Which grinder for which use?

Finding the right grinder for your own projects is often not as easy as you think. The variety of different grinders makes it difficult for many to make decisions. Drywall sander, orbital sander, or rather an rotating sander?

With this article we will give you the background knowledge you need and answer the most frequently asked questions so that you can finally find the right grinder for your wood, metal or renovation work.

An Einhell cordless angle grinder grinds metal, with sparks flying to the side.

With the wide range of sanding machines available, finding the right tool for your project is not always easy. We explain which sander is suitable for which tasks.

In this article you will learn all about:

Types and functions of sanders

The drywall sander

Drywall sanders, also known as ceiling sanders or wall sanders, are used for sanding filled drywall, ceilings and interior walls, as the name suggests. They remove wallpaper residue, adhesive residue, paint, varnish and loose plaster to prepare surfaces for further work, such as painting or wallpapering. With a rotating disc and sandpaper in a suitable grit, drywall sanders are ideal for working on plasterboard, filler and wood.

An Einhell drywall sander sands a ceiling in an unfinished room.

For work on ceilings or high walls, it is advisable to look for a drywall sander with a telescopic handle and a joint bearing on the sanding head. The adjustable length and increased mobility of the sanding head allow you to reach the surfaces you want to work on without a ladder or scaffold, saving time and improving work safety.

Many wall sanders, both drywall sanders and concrete grinders, have a removable edge or allow part of the dust guard to be folded up. This enables you to sand right up to the edge of the work surface.

To avoid having to remove sanding dust with a vacuum cleaner after sanding, and to reduce dust exposure while working, it is practical to use drywall sanders with an integrated extraction system. In combination with a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, the workplace stays clean.

An Einhell concrete grinder sands a concrete wall in a garden and is connected to a vacuum cleaner.

Difference between a concrete grinder and a drywall sander:

Compared to a drywall sander, the concrete grinder can also be used to sand and clean hard materials such as screed, concrete or granite thanks to its higher power and attachments such as diamond grinding discs or steel brushes. The drywall sander, on the other hand, is used for sanding softer materials such as plasterboard and filler. The concrete grinder, also known to some as a renovation grinder, is similar in design to an angle grinder and can therefore be easily distinguished from a drywall sander, which usually has a telescopic handle.

The concrete grinder

The concrete grinder uses its rotating disc to work on large concrete wall surfaces, ceilings and floors. It sands and smooths out uneven areas such as layers of paint, tile adhesive or carpet adhesive.

The orbital sander

The rectangular sanding plate of the orbital sander moves across the surface in circular oscillating motions. It is best suited for surface sanding and can remove paint or varnish layers as well as work on wooden surfaces. The orbital sander is ideal for large, smooth surfaces, but can also be used on corners, edges and curves, for example to sand down a varnished wooden table.

An Einhell orbital sander sands a weathered wooden surface in the garden.

When using the orbital sander, make sure to guide it at a slight angle or in circular movements to create an even sanding pattern.

An Einhell random orbital sander sands an old wooden board in a workshop.

However, it is important to place the random orbital sander on the workpiece before switching it on. Otherwise, unsightly grooves may appear in the surface. With suitable attachments, the random orbital sander can also be used for other tasks: With a polishing bonnet, for example, the tool can also be used for polishing. The random orbital sander TC-RS 425 E, for example, is recommended here.

The random orbital sander

Unlike an orbital sander, which only uses an oscillating motion, the rotation of the sanding disc creates additional material removal. The random orbital sander is used for sanding medium-sized and large surfaces. Its eccentric sanding movements create a particularly even sanding pattern. Curved surfaces can also be sanded evenly thanks to the padded sanding disc and rotating disc movements. This sander removes a lot of material, making it ideal for sanding off paint and varnish and preparing surfaces for painting.

The belt sander

Instead of a sanding sheet, the belt sander has a continuous sanding belt. This makes the belt sander suitable for large to very large surfaces, as it has a high material removal rate. Its continuous sanding belt can be used on wood, plastic and metals. It is used to remove paint or varnish layers.

An Einhell belt sander sands a wooden board in a workshop.

However, precise sanding with a belt sander takes some practice, as its design can easily cause grooves to appear during sanding. Beginners should therefore use the belt sander mainly for rougher work.

An Einhell multi-sander sands a wooden railing outdoors.

The multi-sander can be used on wood, metal, paint and varnished surfaces. By choosing the right sanding sheets, the multi-sander can be used for sanding, smoothing and even polishing.

The multi-sander

The multi-sander, such as the TE-OS 18/150 Li Solo from the Power X-Change family, is the all-rounder among sanding tools. Thanks to its iron-shaped sanding plate, it can be used flexibly. Its active dust extraction helps you keep your working area clean. The cordless multi-sander is used for working on small and medium-sized surfaces. However, its speciality is sanding small, hard-to-reach areas: With its pointed sanding surface, it is ideal for fine sanding rebates, corners and edges.

The delta sander

The delta sander does not differ significantly from the multi-sander in terms of its applications. Its triangular sanding sheet is even smaller than that of the multi-sander, making it the perfect solution for easier sanding in very small, angled corners and along edges.

An Einhell delta sander sands the corner of a wooden chair in a workshop.

The ergonomic design and the handle, which is often equipped with a soft grip, also allow the sander to be guided with one hand. The type of sanding sheet depends on the material of the surface to be sanded.

An Einhell angle grinder cuts a stone slab, creating dust.

❗When working with an angle grinder, make absolutely sure that you never use the wrong disc.

The angle grinder

The angle grinder can carry out cutting, sanding and roughing work on a wide range of materials, depending on the disc used. Thanks to the wide variety of discs and attachments, many tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts believe that the angle grinder can even replace other tools.

Carrying out roughing work with a cutting disc, for example, can lead to serious injuries. Here is a brief overview of the areas of use for the different discs for angle grinders:

Which disc should you use for an angle grinder?

Cutting discs: As the name suggests, cutting discs are used for cutting work. They are available in different materials, diameters and thicknesses. It is important to check the specified disc diameter of the angle grinder. Disc diameters of 115, 125 mm and 230 mm are the standard sizes. Depending on the cutting disc selected, the angle grinder can cover different areas of application. For example, different cutting discs are used for cutting tiles than for cutting through granite, and different discs are used for metal than for stainless steel. Only wood and plastics are better cut with suitable saws due to the high temperatures generated when using an angle grinder. Due to their thin design, cutting discs are ONLY suitable for cutting work. If you were to grind with them, there would be a high risk of them bursting and injuring the user with flying parts. When polishing or sharpening metals, you should also make sure not to use a 230 mm or larger cutting disc. Otherwise, the power of the angle grinder could damage the surface of the workpiece.
Roughing disc: A roughing disc allows the user to roughly grind workpieces. As roughing discs are usually much thicker and wider than cutting discs, around half a centimetre, they are not suitable for cutting work. Thanks to their stability, however, they are ideal for roughing away major uneven areas and roughening surfaces.
Grinding disc: When using grinding discs, it is important to make sure that they are made of the right material. Grinding discs made of aluminium oxide, for example, are generally used for grinding metal, such as removing rust. Diamond grinding discs, on the other hand, are suitable for work on stone, concrete, ceramic or tiles.

You can find everything about accessories for angle grinders here.

💡Tip: When working with the grinding disc, you should not move it in the direction of rotation, but in the opposite direction. This gives you the best possible control and a better sanding pattern.

Which sanding sheet for which application?

As a general rule for abrasives: the smaller the number on the back of the abrasive, the coarser the grit and sanding result, and the more material is removed during sanding. The larger the grit size, the finer the sanding pattern and the lower the material removal. As a rule, sanding always starts with coarser grit grades and then gradually moves on to finer ones. Here is a brief overview:

Grit	Sanding	Examples
6-30	Very coarse	Removing paint layers
40–80	Coarse	Rough pre-grinding and shaping the wood
100–200	Fine	Fine sanding for wood surfaces
220–1000	Very fine	Re-grinding of painted surfaces
1000+	Extremely fine	Polishing of e.g. resin

Tools in this article

Here we have listed all the tools from this article for you again.

Cordless Angle Grinder

TE-AG 18/115 Li-Solo

Go to article

Cordless Multiple Sander

TE-OS 18/150 Li Solo

Go to article

Cordless Orbital Sander

TE-OS 18/230 Li Solo

Go to article

Belt Sander

TE-BS 8540 E

Go to article

Drywall Sander

TC-DWS 225

Go to article

Rotating Sander

TC-RS 425 E

Go to article

Delta Sander

TC-DS 20 E

Go to article

Conclusion

Whether wood, metal, concrete or drywall: There is a suitable tool for every sanding job. While drywall sanders and concrete grinders are mainly used for renovation work, orbital sanders, random orbital sanders, belt sanders, multi-sanders and delta sanders are particularly suitable for working on wood, varnish and hard-to-reach areas. The angle grinder, on the other hand, is a versatile tool for cutting, grinding and roughing work on hard materials.

The right accessories, suitable grit and good dust extraction also play a key role in achieving a clean and safe result. This helps you find the right sander for every project and work efficiently, cleanly and with control.

Written by Frank Rath

Published on 17.06.2019

Whether it's drilling, hammering, or sanding, our professionals in the workshop and DIY field will show you how it's done. Frank Rath is a freelance blogger and a passionate craftsman. With his tips and tricks about Einhell tools, you will not only become an absolute DIY expert but also learn how to safely use each device.