5 Best Detail Sanders of 2024 | Detail Sander Reviews
What do you do if you want to sand a corner or tight curve? You get a detail sander of course. It is a hand-held sander with a triangular sanding head that is used to sand tight and hard-to-reach spaces.
Sometimes when we are working with wood, we tend to leave glue residue on joints. The glue is very difficult to remove, unless you sand the area. For such type of tasks, the best type of sander is the detail sander. If you use any other type of sander here, it might remove too much wood or damage the joint.
The detail sander is a useful woodworking tool. In this review, we are going to show you reviews of best detail sanders.
Image | Product Name | Power Amp | Max Speed RPM | Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Black & Decker BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander | 1.2 | 14,000 | 4.4 | |
 | 2. Bosch 1294VSK Corner Detail Sander Kit | 2.3 | 19,000 | 4.4 | |
 | 3. WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander | 1.0 | 12,000 | 4.3 | |
 | 4. SKIL 7302-02 Octo Detail Sander | 1.2 | 12,000 | 4.1 | |
 | 5. Genesis GPS080 Corner Detail Sander | 1.0 | 14,000 | 4.2 |
You can also read other sander reviews such as random orbit sander, belt sander, belt-disc sander, spindle sander, palm sander, drum sander, and sanding belt guide.
5 Best Detail Sanders - Reviews
Detail sanders are designed for hard to reach areas. Luckily, many companies are manufacturing detail sanders, differing in quality and price. In these detail sander reviews, we will discuss the top five detail sanders in the market today and how they compare to each other.
#1. Black & Decker BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander
Editor's rating: 
(4.4 / 5)
The Black & Decker BDEMS600 is a small, compact, mouse type detail sander. If you have small hands, this detail sander is perfect for you. This sander is actually the shortest sander in its class which is good because it allows you to sand closer to the work surface.
The Mouse has a 3 position grip for greater comfort. This machine also has a micro-filtration equipped, dust collection system for a cleaner work space. Black & Decker is providing a 2-year warranty on this machine.
#2. Bosch 1294VSK 2.3-Amp Corner Detail Sander Kit
Editor's rating: (4.4 / 5)
Uneven pad wearing is a major problem on many detail sanders but not on this one. The pads on this detail sander turn a clean 120 degree, allowing for an even application of the pads. That is why the Bosch 1294VSK is the best detail sander on the market. The 2.3-Amp motor on this Bosch detail sander delivers 13,000 to 19,000 orbits every minute. Six different speeds allow you to sand a variety of materials.
This detail sander comes with an ergonomic grip for greater comfort during sanding. When you buy this sander, you also get 20 sheets, 2 extensions, 1 extension plate and plastic case. The only problem with this Bosch detail sander is the price. It is one of the most expensive detail sanders we've seen. That is why it is recommended for professionals. The Bosch 1294VSK comes with a 1-year warranty.
#3. WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander
Editor's rating: 
(4.3 / 5)
At first glance, the WEN 6301 looks like an iron. The pads are attached with a hook and loop connector (Velcro) and not a felt pad, which is a surprise because it is priced so low. The major problem with this sander is, you don't get a good estimate of the surface you are sanding since the pad is not extended. Second, there are no variable speeds on this sander though it performs a decent 13,500 orbits per minute.
WEN has conveniently provided a vacuum hole in this sander for dust collection. When you buy this detail sander, you will get one pad with it. There are no extensions or extension plates. WEN is giving a 1-year warranty with this sander.
#4. SKIL 7302-02 Octo Detail Sander
Editor's rating: 
(4.1 / 5)
The SKIL 7302-02 detail sander is easily one of the best detail sanders we've seen. This detail sander comes with a unique pressure control technology with LED lights that tell you when you are applying the right pressure and warns you when the pressure gets too much. SKIL is also giving 8 attachments with this sander that you can use for different sanding projects.
Another special feature on this sander is the transparent dust canister. Now you can see clearly when the dust canister is full and empty it. Micro-filtration dust collection ensures a clean work space. If you buy this sander, you also get a 30-day money back guarantee, in addition to a 1-year warranty.
#5. Genesis GPS080 Corner Detail Sander
Editor's rating: 
(4.2 / 5)
Like all modern detail sanders, the Genesis GPS080 has a Velcro pad at the base. This package comes with 3 sanding pads (80, 120 and 240 grit) for different sanding tasks. Once you are done with them, you can buy any generic mouse style pad and continue. The advantage of the iron shape is, you can use this sander both as a detail sander or as a regular sander.
The dust protected switch enhances the life of the machine. It is also one of the fastest mouse sander we have reviewed, capable of performing 14,000 orbits per minute. Surprisingly, the Genesis GPS080 comes with a 2-year warranty.
What's the Best Detail Sanders for You?
Except for the Bosch 1294VSK, all the other detail sanders we've reviewed here are mouse-type sanders. Mouse type sanders are iron shaped, which means you can use them for detail sanding as well as regular sanding. So if you want a dual use sander, buy a mouse type detail sander. Here, we can recommend either the SKIL 7302-02 or the Black & Decker BDEMS600. But the best detail sander in this category is obviously the Bosch 1294VSK. Except for its astronomical cost, we have no complaints against it. It is also a pure detail sander unlike the other sanders we've reviewed here.
What to Look for When Buying a Detail Sander
Detail sanders are made for sanding small areas. But there are many types of sanders in the market today, with different features. But if your sander doesn't have the features you are looking for, you would have wasted your money. So what are the special features of a detail sander?
- Pads: are attached to the triangular sander base (the pads are also shaped like triangles). The pads differ in their grittiness. Grittier the pad, the higher its sanding ability.
- Grip: There are two types of grips in detail sanders: palm and barrel. Choose the grip that is most suitable to you.
- Action: Detail sanders come with either oscillating or orbital motion. In an oscillating action detail sander, the pad arches forward and backward. It is used to sand moldings and flat surfaces. In the orbital detail sander, the pads move in a circular motion and it best suited for flat surfaces.
- Variable speed: It is a useful feature, found on most detail sanders. The benefit of variable speed is, you can increase or decrease the speed of the sander according to material you want to sand. If the material is harder, you can use a higher speed. For softer materials that get sanded easily, you can use a lower speed.
Detail Sander Brands
Once you know what your options in detail sanders are, you have a bigger pool to select your detail sander from. The good news is, many companies are manufacturing detail sanders. Apart from Bosch, Black & Decker, Skil, Genesis and WEN, other companies that make random orbit sanders are DeWalt, Fein, Ryobi and more.
Where to Buy Detail Sanders?
Fortunately, detail sanders are available in all major utility shops. They are also available online on Amazon, Lowes, Homedepot and other places. The greatest advantage of buying your goods from an online store is the variety of choices and the great discounts that you won't find in a brick and mortar shop. We recommend you make your purchase from Amazon. Not only do they have the best discounts, they are also very client friendly and have a great customer policy.
What's Detail Sander Commonly Used for?
The common thread in all our detail sander reviews is that detail sanders are specially designed to get into corners and tight spaces, like furniture joints that others sanders cannot reach. But some detail sanders like the mouse-type sanders can also be used for regular sanding. So if you are a hobbyist and you would like a sander that will allow you to perform both detail sanding and regular sanding, go for a detail sander.
Detail Sander vs. Other Sander Types
All detail sanders have a small, triangle shaped sanding pad. Detail sanders are also small, relative to most other sanders today. In fact, if you get a mouse-type sander, you can hold it by the palm of your hand. The sanding pads are also interchangeable. With a detail sander, it is easy to profile shapes and sand curves. In fact, if you want to sand tight spots like chair spindles, there is no better machine to do it than a detail sander.
How to Use Detail Sander Correctly
The detail sander is a very useful woodworking too. But don't forget that it is also a power tool. Never touch the sander pad when it is running. If you are not careful, you can easily injure yourself. Applying too much pressure on the pad might cause the machine to sand too deep. It can also spoil the sanding pad prematurely. Note that high OPM orbital sanders sand and wear out quicker than other sanders. Do not sand wood near flames or sparks because it is a fire hazard. Always wear protective goggles when you are sanding. Otherwise saw dust or wood chips may fly into your eyes.
Do read the safety guidelines booklet provided with the machine you buy because it may contain some important information. Finally, we hope this review helps you find the right detail sander for your needs.
5 Tips on Using Detail Sander
- Start with the corners first: Detail sanders are specialist tools for sanding corners. While they still perform well for general wood sanding, it is when sanding corners that they really shine. Its small size and pointy tip allows it to sand areas no other sander can reach. It is always a good idea to start with the corners first when using a detail sander.
- Start with a low speed and work your way up: Unlike the belt sander that is more aggressive with wood, detail sanders cannot digest as much material. It is important to start with a low speed and work your way up to a comfortable setting while taking the sawdust into account.
- Try switching attachments: Detail sanders come with many attachments. They each serve a purpose. If you are not getting the desired finish, try switching attachments (with different sandpaper grit). Chances are you were using the wrong accessory.
- Handle them with care: Detail sanders are the most fragile and sensitive to all sander types. Handle them with care and do not apply too much pressure while sanding as it can damage both the sander and the material.
- Do not apply stress on the tip of the sander. This is a common mistake beginners often make. The sander needs to be flat on the surface at all times when sanding. Trying to sand with the tip only by slightly lifting the sander in the air will result in a damaged tip once it heats up.
Well, we hope you enjoyed our detail sanders reviews and hope you found the best detail sanders for your need.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly