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Keep the Surface Clean

Connecting to a vacuum doesn’t just cut down on dust. It actually allows your random orbit sander to work faster. Even with the sander’s built-in dust collection system, the sander rides on a thin cushion of dust that prevents full contact between the grit and the wood. So, by increasing dust removal, a vacuum improves sander efficiency. On some sanders, hooking up to a vacuum doubles the sanding speed.

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Slow and Steady Wins the Race

For faster hand sanding, you just press harder and move faster. But with a random orbit sander, that strategy will actually slow you down. Too much pressure or speed creates tiny swirling scratches that you’ll have to sand out sooner or later (often later, after stain makes them visible).

A light touch and patience are the key to avoiding those swirls. Just rest your hand on the sander; don’t press. The weight of your arm provides enough pressure. Move at a snail’s pace; no more than 1 in. per second.

Going that slow feels unnatural and takes some self-discipline. So try this: stretch out a tape measure along your project and watch the second hand on a clock while you sand. After about 30 seconds (or 30 in.), you’ll get used to the right speed.

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