We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
Finishing sanders remain a useful tool, especially for sanding into corners and on delicate pieces. Sanders of yesteryear vibrated enough to make your hand tingle for a week, and arm wrestling the paper onto most of these machines was enough to make you turn the sander into a paperweight and never use it again. The new Bosch 1297DK quarter-sheet sander, $55, is a great example of today's smoother- and quieter-running finishing sanders, and it has put an end to the paper wars. Its SheetLoc system simplifies attaching the paper. The sandpaper edges don't need to be creased; they slip right into the SheetLoc holders.
The system stretches the paper tight and holds it with enough gusto to keep it firmly attached. Dust collection is included on the 1297DK, and it works pretty well. Having dust collection means you need holes in the paper, so a punch plate is included with the 1297DK. The 1297DK operates very smoothly and quietly, with little vibration transmitted to your hand. Its price is comparable to other good-quality finishing sanders.
Source
Bosch Tools, (877) 267-2499, www.boschtools.com, 1297DK finishing sander, $55.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
