Power sanders eliminate much of the fatigue and frustration associated with hand sanding. Modern power sanders can produce the same high-level finish that was once achievable only by hand sanding.
Several different types of power sanders are available, including belt sanders (figure A), which use a loop of sandpaper similar to a tank tread. Belt sanders have a tendency to "walk" or move around, so you'll need to hold tight and sand with the grain of the wood if you plan to use one. The palm-grip sander (figure B) simulates the result of hand sanding by vibrating in a circular pattern.
The random orbit sander (figure C) has a spinning head that vibrates in a random pattern to produce a smooth finish. You can go with the grain or across the grain when using a random orbit sander. The detail sander (figure D) is used for sanding in tight areas. The oscillating spindle sander (figure E) spins and plunges up and down as it sands. This sander is especially useful for smoothing out saw marks.
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