More commonly called a “multi-tool,” don’t be fooled by its small size. Fitted with an abrasive triangle, detail sanders remove paint and finishes from nooks and crannies after you’ve sanded the flat areas with a larger machine. Many can be fitted with a saw blade for cutting in close quarters, making them indispensable for some renovations. The DeWalt 20V DCS356B is one of the best cordless detail sanders that I’ve used. $159
Useful for covering large flat areas, such as a deck, or when building simple furniture from new lumber, a belt sander is a good second sander in your shed. These tools spin an abrasive belt, typically to sand wood parallel to the grain. 100-grit belts work well for most belt sanding jobs on wood. I like the Triton TA1200BS for its small-diameter front roller and recessed front handle, which lets the belt get deeper into corners. $219
This tool, sometimes called a palm sander, holds a quartered sheet of sandpaper. Use it to give wood a light, final sanding before finishing or to remove the rough, raised grain that develops between coats of water-based urethane or varnish. The Makita BO4557 ¼-sheet finishing sander is a well-designed model with a great track record. $64
If you are looking for only one general-purpose sander for your minimalist cottage, this is it. Models that use 5" diameter disposable abrasive disks are lighter and less expensive; 6" models are better for big jobs such as stripping a deck, refinishing a wooden boat, or repairing a fibreglass hull. The Porter-Cable 7346 is an excellent 6" sander that can also be fitted with a foam polishing pad for shining boats and cars. $215
Overwhelmed by choice when it comes to power sanders? Here’s how to decide the next—or first—sander you need in your tool shed.
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