Cordless beside corded
| Model | Power | Sheet | Speed | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCW200 | 20V MAX battery | Quarter sheet, 4-1/2 × 5-1/2 in | Not stated in the manual | Clamped; punch supplied for dust holes |
| DEWALT DWE6411 | Corded, 2.3 A | Quarter sheet | 14,000 OPM | Clamped; punch included |
| Makita BO4556 | Corded | Pad 4-3/8 × 4 in | 14,000 orbits/min | Clamped; punch plate supplied |
| BLACK+DECKER MOUSE | Corded, 1.2 A | Delta detail pad | 14,000 orbits/min | Hook-and-loop |
From DEWALT's DCW200 manual and DWE6411 page, Makita's BO4556 manual and BLACK+DECKER's MOUSE page.
Equipment notePaid link
20V 1/4-sheet sander, tool only
DEWALT DCW200B
DEWALT's DCW200, sold as the bare DCW200B: a quarter-sheet sander for 4-1/2 × 5-1/2 in sheets, with a punch so regular paper can collect dust, by its manual.
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What to compare
- Battery platform. A cordless sander runs only on its maker's batteries; if you own a platform, that decides most of the choice.
- Sheet size and clamping. Quarter-sheet sanders take paper cut from standard sheets and clamp it. DEWALT gives its quarter sheet as 4-1/2 × 5-1/2 in; Makita's pad is 4-3/8 × 4 in.
- Dust holes. Cut sheets have no holes. DEWALT supplies a punch with the DCW200 and DWE6411, and Makita a punch plate with the BO4556, so the paper can be perforated for the dust bag. Make holes only with the tool the maker supplies or specifies.
- Corners. DEWALT says the DCW200's pad has corners on three sides for sanding into corners. For tight inside corners a delta detail pad goes further — see detail and palm sanders.
- Speed. Corded quarter-sheet sanders here run at 14,000 a minute, in the makers' terms; DEWALT's DCW200 manual gives no figure. Do not assume a cordless model matches its corded counterpart.
- Dust and fire. DEWALT says to empty dust collection frequently when sanding polyurethane, varnish or shellac, and to remove the battery before changing sheets.
Before buying
For general sanding of larger surfaces, a random orbit sander does more of the work — see cordless random orbital sanders. For work away from the shop generally, see portable sanders. Grits and when to change them are in how to sand wood.
Before buying a cordless palm sander
- The battery platform it runs on
- Sheet size, and whether paper is clamped or hook-and-loop
- A punch or punch plate supplied for dust holes
- Corner reach of the pad
- Speed, if the maker states it
- Dust bag, and emptying it when sanding finishes
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's own for the model named. DEWALT's DCW200 manual, the document reviewed, gives no speed figure, so none is quoted. No cordless detail (delta) sander's figures could be confirmed from its maker, so the detail row is a corded model. No sander was tested, none is ranked, and no prices are given.
- 1.
DCW200 20V Max Brushless Quarter Sheet Sander, Instruction Manual. DEWALT.
Used for: The DCW200 20V MAX quarter-sheet sander: 4-1/2 × 5-1/2 in sheets; a paper clamp and a paper punch to perforate regular paper so dust collection is possible; a dust bag; a pad with corners on three sides for sanding into corners; removing the battery before changing sheets; emptying dust collection frequently when sanding polyurethane, varnish or shellac.
- 2.
DWE6411 1/4 Sheet Palm Grip Sander. DEWALT.
Used for: The corded DWE6411 quarter-sheet sander: 2.3 A, 14,000 OPM, paper clamp, paper punch and dust bag.
- 3.
Finishing Sander BO4555 / BO4556, Instruction Manual. Makita.
Used for: The corded BO4556's 4-3/8 × 4 in pad at 14,000 orbits per minute, 1.1 kg (2.4 lb), a punch plate for making holes in the paper when the dust bag is used, and the dust bag.
- 4.
MOUSE Detail Sander, 1.2 Amp, Corded (BDEMS600). BLACK+DECKER.
Used for: The corded MOUSE detail sander: 1.2 A, 14,000 orbits per minute, detail pad and finger attachment, hook-and-loop paper and dust canister.
About this buying guide
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