Do you need to sand different types of materials for professional purpose?
Or often you have to sand in a tidy place?
If your answer is yes for both, straight line sanders are the perfect tool for you.
Yes, with a straight line sander, you can sand wood, fiberglass, steel and sheet metal easily. Moreover, they can sand in a straight line which you may need to sand a straight surface.
But as always, you need to do a little bit of research before buying a straight line sander, like any other tools and equipment.
Though it is time-consuming, it’ll help you to select the right one for your project.
In this article, we’ve tried to provide you a list of top 5 sanders with some basic features of a good quality straight line sander.
If you go through the guideline, you’ll be able to find your one.
Let’s get started...
How to Choose a Straight Line Sander:
As you have got a brief idea about most commonly used straight line sanders, it’ll easy for you to take decision if you also have a precise idea about the features of a good quality straight line sander.
The most basic facts that you should look for while buying a sander are-
1. Intend to Use:
Straight line sanders sand materials with straight surface and edges. This tool is perfect for professionals also it can be a great addition to a DIYer’s toolbox.
It helps you to get amazing sanding experience on your wood projects, furniture and your house interior projects.
But while buying you need to consider how often you need to use the tool and what type of job you have to with it. If you choose one by considering these, you’ll have smooth finishing.
2. Piston:
The act of pumping back & forth to transform the energy in mechanical movement is done by the piston. Straight line sanders are available with single or double piston.
Sanders with single piston pump the spring back in a single direction and make the process simple & solid.
On the other hand, straight line sanders with a double piston pump back & forth and make this more expensive.
3. Strokes Per Minute:
Strokes per minute or SPM means the complete movement that is made by the sander plate. To reduce the build-up residue during the sanding process you should pick a sander with fast SMP. if you want to have a quality- nice finishing with your sander, choose one with at least 3000 SMP.
4. Weight:
You must choose a compressed and easy to operate sander to work without any stress. If the sander is heavy and you need work for a long time, you may have fatigue and feel uncomfortable. So avoid heavy sander that makes you exhausted & causes strains on your hand.
5. Safety:
While buying a straight line sander or any other power tool, you must check the safety features of the machine. For example, look for safe vibrations, ergonomic grips, safety guards and easy to reach the power button, etc.
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Top 5 Straight Line Sanders Reviews
Features
- Pad size: 2-¾ " x 17";
- Required pressure: 90-100 PSI;
- Air Consumption: 4 CFM,
- Speed: 2400 SPM;
- Weight: 7.75 pounds;
- Package includes the sander only.
Review
To finish large and flat area at a short notice, there is no alternative than a straight line sander. A dual piston one works even faster compared to single piston ones. To run ALCV100 model of straight line sander, only 90 psi of air pressure is enough. Using the minimum pressure, It delivers up to a speed of 24000 SPM.
You can use adhesive and clip type sandpaper on it, it takes both! It is a quality sander and the price is high for a sander of 2400 SPM. surely it is not a beginners deal. This machine is meant for highly demanding use and is backed by a guarantee on its workmanship. So, where workmanship matters, Viking sander will be the best choice.
Pros
- Works fast;
- Dual piston;
- Takes clip and stick on paper.
Cons
- Expensive.
Features
- Pad size: 2-¾ " x 17 ½ ";
- Air Consumption: 8 CFM;
- Speed: 3000 SPM;
- Weight: 6.6 pounds;
- Package includes a case and the sander.
Review
For small DIY projects, this sander will do the job of highly expensive straight line sanders. It delivers a high stroke of 3000 SPM and takes 8 CFM of air. The two handles are ideal for a secured and comfortable grip. They eliminate the feel of vibration as well.
If you are planning to use a straight line sander for a long time on a daily basis, then you must note that it is neither a high-quality product nor a heavy duty one. It overheats easily and starts to slow down when heats up. It takes time to cool down and start all over again at the same pace.
However, to flatten up body fillers and polish up the rough surface, it does it job quite well if it does not take long to finish the job. Its pad is half a centimeter longer than other models and the price is within the budget. So, the choice is yours!
Pros
- 2 handles for a comfortable grip;
- Reasonable price;
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Overheats upon prolonged use.
Read more: Finding the Best Sander for Metal
Features
- Pad size: 2-¾ " x 17 ½ ";
- Air inlet: ¼’’,
- Speed: 3000 SPM;
- Weight: 6 pounds;
- Package includes a case and the straight line sander.
Review
The power and configurations of cheap and expensive sander are almost the same. The main difference lies in their quality. With some extra few bucks, this sander from Chicago Pneumatic will amaze you its quality. It comes with the same power and pad size as Ingersoll Rand sander but goes longer without overheating.
This model comes with an additional safety feature to prevent possible injuries. For this reason, I recommend this one for beginners even if the price may seem higher to them. However, its handle is also comfortable to hold and the lighter weight of the sander makes it suitable for long term use.
The sander is made with high-grade aluminum which makes it a durable tool. Its high speed and 1-inch strokes take only seconds to deliver a super glossy finish. For a time saving effortless sander, this is a deal breaker.
Pros
- Safer to use due to pinch guard;
- Lightweight and comfortable grip;
- For demanding applications;
- High-quality tool.
Cons
- No cons.
Features
- Pad size: 2-¾ " x 11 ";
- Air Consumption: 4 CFM;
- Air inlet: ¼’’,
- Speed: 3000 SPM;
- Weight: 4.2 pounds;
- Package includes the straight line sander only.
Review
There is no doubt that the double handle and double piston sanders are the best ones to cover large areas faster. But when it comes to sanding hard to reach places, you may end up doing that manually with sandpaper. In those circumstances, a straight line sander with smaller pad and the single handle does a better job.
As the pad size is smaller, handle and piston are singular, the weight also reduces to almost half of regular straight line sanders. Besides, the vibration and noise also less than those big budget and bulky sanders.
To be honest, this sander does critical jobs fine but it lacks the power to use on demanding jobs. However, it does what it says, there is nothing I found to complain about.
Pros
- Lightest weight for a straight line sander;
- Suitable to reach hard to reach places;
- Less vibration;
- Produces less noise.
Cons
- Small sanding pad.
1. HUT2000 Hustler Straight Line Air Sander by Hutchins - Editor’s Pick
Features
- Pad size: 2-¾ " x 16-½ ";
- Air Consumption: 6.2 CFM;
- Speed: 3000 SPM;
- Weight: 6.9 pounds;
- Package includes the straight line sander only.
Review
Among all the sanders of this list, this one is the most high end and priciest sander. Its mechanism is very unique to reduce vibration, jump start and other inconvenience. Its other features are similar to other general sized straight line sanders but the differences lie in durability and quality.
While operating, the comfort and smooth gliding of this sander on the surface really worth the price. The finish it delivers is another matter to praise this sander. For professional use or highly demanding use, I obviously vote on this model. At its price, two straight line sander can be purchased, but the quality worth every penny.
Pros
- Less vibration;
- Superior quality;
- Well balanced;
- Delivers powerful thrust.
Cons
- Very expensive.
Read more: Finding the Best Detail Sanders, Click here
Safety Precautions:
While working with any power tool tools like- straight line saner, you should take some safety precautions to avoid injuries during the working process. Like-
- Always wear safety gears, like- safety goggles, gloves and boots.
- Before starting to work with a straight line sander, you should read well the user manual & understand the operating process of the machine.
- Make sure that your working area is big enough, have enough light and ventilation.
- Another thing you need to do before starting your sanding job is to remove all stuff that can be caught by the sander.
- Always maintain your machine by cleaning and oiling (if necessary).
Conclusion:
Usually, speedy and powerful straight-line sanders are the favorite to almost all professional and if you are a DIY hobbyist you’ll go for the compact one.
Whatever the purpose is, if you go with your requirements, you’ll be able to get the perfect one which can help you to complete your project smoothly on time.
In short, you are a professional and planning to get one from the list we’ve included above, you can choose ALCV100 Straight Line Sander because they come with dual piston and can work fast.
And if you’re a beginner or a part-time worker, you can go for CP7268 Heavy Duty Straight Line Sander as they have a comfortable grip and lightweight with high quality.
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