Orbital sander: setting it up and changing the bit or blade

Learn to fit sandpaper, attach dust collection, and use an orbital sander safely and evenly.

OS-01Learn the parts of your sanderThe sole plate is the flat bottom pad that vibrates and does the sanding. A sanding sheet or disc attaches to it, either with hook-and-loop (like Velcro) or with small metal clamps at each end. There's a dust bag or a port for a vacuum hose, and an on/off switch, sometimes with a lock-on button so you don't have to hold the trigger the whole time.

OS-02Unplug it before you touch the sandpaperAlways unplug the sander from the mains, or take the battery out, before changing the sheet or opening the dust box. A sander can start if the switch gets knocked, and you don't want your fingers near the pad when that happens. This becomes automatic habit after a few times.

OS-03Pick the right grit sandpaperSandpaper is graded by grit number. Low numbers like 60-80 are coarse and strip off paint or level rough wood fast. High numbers like 120-240 are fine and smooth things down before painting or varnishing. The mistake beginners make is buying one grit and using it for everything, which either barely touches the surface or leaves deep scratches you then have to sand out again.

1 pack · Sanding sheets, mixed grit pack

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

OS-04Fit the sanding sheetFor hook-and-loop pads, peel the backing off the sheet and press it onto the sole plate, lining up the holes so dust can pass through into the extraction port. For clamp-style sanders, thread the paper under the front clamp, pull it tight over the sole plate, and lock it under the back clamp. A loose sheet will wrinkle, tear quickly, or sand unevenly.

OS-05Attach the dust bag or a vacuum hosePush the dust bag or hose onto the port at the back of the sander until it clicks or sits snug. This pulls most of the dust away as you sand, which keeps your work area and lungs cleaner. Some dust always escapes, so wear a dust mask as well, even with extraction fitted.

OS-06Switch on before the pad touches the woodHold the sander with two hands, switch it on, and only then lower it flat onto the surface. Let the sander's own vibration do the work; don't press down hard. Pressing hard or tilting the sander onto one edge is the classic beginner mistake, and it causes swirl marks, gouges, or a burnt patch instead of a smooth finish.

OS-07Check you've set it up correctlyTry it on a scrap offcut first. It should glide with a light buzzing feel, not fight or judder in your hands. Afterwards the surface should show fine, even scratches in one direction, no dark burn marks, no gouges, and the sandpaper should still be flat and firmly attached, not torn or peeling off.

Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides