Putty sander

When performing repairs in the apartment, it is simply impossible to do without grinding the walls and ceiling, on which a layer of putty was previously applied. After all, alignment of the walls is an extremely responsible procedure, performed in several stages, one of which is grinding.

In the process of carrying out these works, ordinary grinding stones, both home-made and factory-made, can be used. However, this method is associated with significant costs of time and effort, which can be avoided by resorting to the use of grinding machines.

To ensure convenience in work, as well as to increase the reliability of these devices, many of them are equipped with special dust collectors, in which fine dust from putty gets into. Also for these purposes, a special construction vacuum cleaner is often connected to the machine.

Another feature of grinding equipment is the availability of speed control of its moving parts.

Types of Grinders

By the principle of action, such devices can be divided into two main types: pneumatic and electrical.

The main advantage of pneumatic models is their low weight and relatively low cost. Such devices are often used as a professional tool, because even with prolonged work with them hands do not get tired and labor productivity does not decrease. These positive qualities are explained very simply - pneumatic devices do not have engines. Their working mechanism is driven by the pressure of compressed air entering through a hose from a special compressor.

The main disadvantage of pneumatic grinders is the presence of a bulky compressor. In other words, such a tool can only work in a workshop where it is possible to supply compressed air. That is why devices of this type are mainly used in car services and are rarely used for repairs. If such equipment will be used to carry out repairs in your own apartment, you will have to additionally purchase an expensive compressor.

As for the electric models, their main advantage can be called high mobility. The ability to connect to the mains is almost always there, and using an extension cord is absolutely no problem. The disadvantages of a power tool include its relatively large weight and overall dimensions, as well as its high cost.

If the grinding machine is selected for repair work in the house or apartment and will not be used in future at large construction sites, then the choice in favor of electric models is obvious.

According to the method of impact on the treated surface, grinders can be divided into the following groups:

1. Tape.
2. Vibrating.
3. Eccentric.

Let us consider in more detail each of these varieties of grinding machines.

Tape models

This tool is usually used for processing large areas. Such a grinding machine uses an abrasive belt stretched on special rollers for operation, during rotation of which there is a constant unidirectional movement of the belt. Tape models have the highest performance compared to their counterparts, but they are not suitable for the final polishing of the walls.

When choosing a belt type grinder, you should pay attention to such functions of the purchased device:

• Automatic centering of the tape. Using special rollers, it is held exactly along the axis of movement. This function helps to prevent slipping of the tape, so its presence significantly increases the usability of this tool.

• Branch pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner. Almost all modern models of grinders are equipped with such a product, but this does not negate its importance for prevent the appearance of a large amount of dust from putty in the room where repair work.
• Additional rollers included in the design of the grinder make it possible to eliminate the appearance of the so-called dead zones when grinding close to the walls.

Vibration models

This is perhaps the most common type of grinding tool. Its most typical representative is a surface grinding machine. It is a device equipped with a rectangular sole, on which, using special clamps, a sheet of sandpaper with the required grain size is attached. For different types of putty, various grades of sandpaper are used. Another variety of such a tool is a delta sander. According to the principle of operation, it is no different from devices of the previous type, but it has a triangular working a sole that can become indispensable when working in hard-to-reach places (for example, when grinding angles).

Eccentric models

In everyday life, these grinders are often called orbital. They got this name because of the peculiarities of the movement of the round working sole, which simultaneously rotates around its axis and carries out movement in orbit with a small radius. Emery paper is attached in such a tool with Velcro. The main purpose of the eccentric grinders is the finishing of the walls on which the putty is applied, as well as their polishing.

There are special representatives of grinding tools that are designed to work with large areas on walls and ceilings. A feature of such models is the presence of a convenient telescopic handle and gearbox, as well as the possibility of installing grinding wheels of large diameter on them (usually 215 or 225 mm). Grinders for walls and ceilings can be used not only to give smoothness to putty surfaces, but also for removing old coatings, as well as for grinding stone or concrete walls. The use of such a tool will significantly reduce the time and labor required for grinding work.

It is worth noting that if the proposed repair does not include grinding of large areas, it may be worth not thinking about buying a grinder, it’s better to just rent it at one of the many rental points of construction tool. The fact is that the cost of such a device is quite high, so if there is no need for its frequent use, the question arises of the appropriateness of the extra financial costs.

The choice of the necessary type of grinder for each case is carried out taking into account the volume and nature of the work performed, configurations of surfaces to be ground, as well as individual preferences of the person who will fulfill this work. In any case, the main criterion for the correctness of the choice made will be the final result.