Sanding drywall is easy with the right tools.
Well-sanded drywall is the key to a smooth, even wall finish. Sanding tools smooth the bumps and ridges from dried joint compound by moving sandpaper back and forth until the compound transitions smoothly into the drywall. Hand sanders and pole sanders work as well as power sanders, just not nearly and quickly or efficiently. Sanding drywall produces prodigious amounts of dust; a drywall vacuum is a must for a quick clean up.
Drywall vacuums
Vacuums greatly reduce drywall dust.
Drywall vacuums suck drywall dust into a disposable bag. Dual-filtered drywall vacuums work best because they do not allow dust to escape through the exhaust. Single-filtered vacuums capture most dust, but allow some to escape. Filters must be cleaned and replaced periodically. Vacuums come in different tank sizes and have wheels for easy maneuvering. Good vacuums cost several hundred dollars at hardware stores and home improvement retailers.
Hand Sanders
Hand sanders are cheap and easy to use.
Hand sanders are 3-inch by 9-inch metal pads with a handle on one side and foam rubber pad for holding sandpaper on the other. Drywall finisher use hand sanders more than any other sanding tool. Corner sanders are triangular hand sanders that fit into corners. Dust-free sanders have an exhaust port that connects to the suction hose of a drywall vacuum. Dust-free sanders catch most, but not all, drywall dust. Hand sanders cost less than $20 apiece.
Pole Sanders
Pole sanders greatly extend your reach.
Pole sanders have the same pad as hand sanders, but the have a metal, fiberglass or wood pole instead of a handle. Finishers use pole sanders on ceilings and upper wall sections. They also use them to reach low places without kneeling. Telescoping poles that greatly extend a sanders reach are popular. Dust-free pole sanders that connect to drywall vacuum hoses are also available. Poles range in price from $10 for a fixed-length wood pole to around $50 for a fiberglass, telescopic pole.
Power Sanders
Power sanders are electric pole sanders with a rotating sanding disk. Power sanders are variable speed and come with a vacuum hook-up. Power sanders use round sandpaper disks.
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