Mouse sanders are well known for their small size and ability to get into nooks and crannies. These small tools are mostly used for finishing and fine furniture work. Sometimes the number of options for buyers can turn into an embarrassment of riches type of situation. With so many affordably priced models on the market, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one.
Our selection of the best mouse sanders available in the UK market in 2017!
1. BLACK+DECKER KA161BC Mouse Detail Sander with Accessories
2. Bosch PSM 100 A Multi-Sander [Energy Class A]
3. VonHaus 130W Palm Compact Detail Sander with Dust Extraction Port
4. Bosch PSM 18 LI Cordless Multi-Sander with 18 V Lithium-Ion Battery
5. WORX WX648 65W De-Tail Sander with Accessories
BLACK+DECKER KA161BC Mouse Detail Sander with Accessories
Extra accessories make the KA161BC your do-it-all tool
The KA161BC sander is one of Black and Decker’s finest detail sanders. The KA16BC is a 55-watt sander, with an orbital speed of 11,000 rpm. The orbit diameter is 1.5 mm and there’s an added eccentricity of .75 mm. This model has an ease of use for small areas, allowing you to get into tight corners and use the point of the sander to clean out old paint, wood varnish, and finishes. It features a bag as well as a vacuum attachment to clear out dust and debris. The KA161BC is corded and weighs in at 890 grams.
The sander features a velcro attachment for your sheets, so they’re easy to change out and keep going. The sander also comes with different sanding sheets in the box, so you can start sanding right away. Black and Decker include a polishing and rust removal pad, as well as three different grain sandpapers, and four sheets for the included finger attachment.
Bosch PSM 100 A Multi-Sander [Energy Class A]
Bosch’s premier mouse sander is versatile and lightweight.
The Bosch PSM 100 is a 100-watt sander. It features an orbital speed of 24,000 rpm, and its diameter is 1.4 mm. The PSM is a corded sander, with enough cord length to allow you to complete projects easily. Bosch is an authority in the sander market, and there’s a reason for it. The PSM is a well-made product, that isn’t too niche for the average hobbyist. The PSM 100 is small enough to reach tight corners and small spaces, but can also be used for more general projects as well. The sander has a two-piece plate, and an easy velcro fastening to attach papers. The Bosch comes with 3 sanding sheets and a 2-year warranty. It’s also one of the cleaner sanders in the market, with the Bosch Microfilter System in place to keep the dust out of the air. The Bosch packs a lot of power with a very little sander, weighing in at 1.5kg.
VonHaus 130W Palm Compact Detail Sander with Dust Extraction Port
Ergonomic supports make the Vonhaus the best sander for long projects
This Vonhaus sander is a 130-watt sander, with an rpm count of 13,000. It has a teardrop shaped head for tight spaces, and its ergonomic grip means that you can sand for a long time without putting a strain on your hands. The Vonhaus is a corded sander, but the cord itself is fairly long, clocking in at around 2 meters. Like the rest of the mouse sanders we’ve reviewed here, the Vonhaus is a versatile tool, and the high rpms mean that you can use it for a variety of projects. The sanding pads attach with hook and loop attachments so that you can remove and reattach the appropriate pads with no hassle. The Vonhaus also has a dust extraction port that can be attached to a vacuum for easy removal.
Bosch PSM 18 LI Cordless Multi-Sander with 18 V Lithium-Ion Battery
Freedom from cords make this Bosch a hobbyist’s dream
The Bosch PSM 18 is a battery powered sander that means you are no longer tethered to the closest electrical outlet. Bosch has developed a new Syneon chip to extend battery life and make the tool more efficient. The battery and charger are both included, and the charger promises to have your battery full in an hour, just enough time to take a quick break, then come back to your project. Bosch also sells batteries separately, if you don’t want to take even a minute off.
The sanding papers attach with velcro, for easy changing and removal, and the Bosch filter system attached to the sander means that there’s no mess, or fussing with vacuums. All of this does kick the weight up, however, with the PSM 18 weighing in a 3kg, something to think about for long-term use. The PSM also comes with a 2-year warranty, and three sheets of sanding paper.
WORX WX648 65W De-Tail Sander with Accessories
Tiny body makes this sander a heavy hitter
The WORX mouse sander is a corded electric sander requiring 65 volts. The WORX’s extremely narrow body and head make it ideal for tight spaces, though it still delivers on power. The WORX also comes with a finger attachment, so you can really get into detailed and small areas. The WORX comes with 9 velcro sanding sheets, which is a little odd since the attachment points themselves are hook and loop. They also include 6 regular sheets of sandpaper, the finger pad attachment, and the dust collection box that means you don’t have to use a vacuum with this sander. Even with the added collection box, however, the WORX is lightweight, coming in at just under a 1,000 grams. This lightweight, along with its ergonomic handhold, will keep you sanding in comfort for a long time, and the narrow base and tapered head on the sander mean that you can reach almost anywhere.
Buying Guide
There are a few key qualities you want to consider when you go to purchase a mouse sander of your own, as well as questions that you’ll want to ask about your particular usage needs and patterns. Below are a few things to consider before you buy.
What kind of projects are you planning? Will you need this sander more than once?
Mouse sanders are great for details and tight spaces, but most of the sanders on this list are versatile enough that you could use them again for an all-around project, especially a small one. If so, you might want to invest in a mouse with a larger base and use it for both.
How long do you plan to sand for at a time?
Ergonomic bases and handles are fantastic, but if you only use your sander for little bits of time, you probably don’t need one. A quick sand to take off a coat of varnish, or rough a surface up before you paint is a lot different than a complete refinish of a whole surface. Depending on how much time you spend to use with your sander at once, getting an ergonomic handle might become more or less important to you.
Battery or no?
It’s nice to have a cordless drill when you’re doing outside projects, or in a room or workshop were there just aren’t many outlets. Battery powered drills come with their own challenges though, like making sure the battery is charged, and taking a break if you run out of juice. Many people solve this problem simply by investing in another battery. If you’re a mainly indoors craftsman though, it might be easier and cheaper just to use the power from the wall, but make sure you actually measure out the cord length and see how much room it gives you to work with.
Finger pad or no?
Finger pads are great and useful attachments, that can help your sander get into areas that are extremely small or tight. The attachment does need it’s own specific sanding pads, but those are easy to get and replace. For the fairly small investment that a finger pad requires, the pay off can be big. It might be worth looking for a sander with either this attachment included or with a finger pad attachment that can be purchased separately later if you find you need it.
How much do you want to have to rely on your vacuum?
Many sanders are now coming with built-in dust boxes or bags so that you don’t have to stay connected to your shop vac or upright vacuum when you sand. In most to almost all cases, I would say that this is a feature that’s worth the extra splurge if only so you don’t have to deal with the vacuum cords and hose while you work with a power tool, and also to avoid the inevitable accident where something gets pulled loose, and you end up sweeping a lot of dust off of the floor.
Frequently Asked QUestions
Q: Is this sander appropriate for big sanding projects? Table and chairs, Doors, etc.
A: It depends on the overall surface area of the project, as well as how much you need to sand off. A light sand to replace or redo a paint job or varnish should be absolutely achievable. With anything else, you simply have to consider the size of the sander versus the size of the surface you need to refinish. These sanders can absolutely do a lot of work, it just might be frustrating to only sand a tiny area at a time.
Q: How do you attach the finger pad?
A: There should be a small screw on the top of the sander head that you can remove. Once you do you slide the finger pad into that gap and then replace the screw to resecure it.
Q: How efficient is the built-in dust collector?
A: Fairly effective! It’s not a perfect seal, so there will be a little bit of product escape, but the dust box catches a lot of debris.
Q: Is finding replacement sheets easy?
A: It is fairly easy to find them either in your hardware store under the specific brand, or to order them on Amazon. You can often find “off-brand” or generic pads as well, that fit your sander and run a little bit cheaper to save you some money.
Q: Can you use this on metal or glass? What kind of paper do I need?
A: You can use this on metal, with an emery paper. The grit will depend on what kind of finish you need. You can also use it on glass surfaces with silicon carbide paper. This is especially good if you need to smooth glass edges. For windows or other small projects, the finger attachment might come in handy.
Q: Can I use this on fine woodwork, like chair spindles?
A: I would be very very careful on any fine or hand-carved woodwork. While this is meant for fine details, it does have a very high rpm, and you might do some real damage to fine details or fragile veneers.
Q: Will this work on walls/ceilings?
A: Yes! Just make sure you have the right paper for the job.
Top Brands
The brands listed below are our “top brands” or cream of the crop. When you buy a new power tool like a mouse sander, you’re making an investment, and no one wants to have a purchase that’s disappointing or will let you down three months from now. These brands have a reputation for delivering strong products with good value and long-term reliability. While we can’t speak for every product in their lineup, we know that these brands are an excellent place to start when looking for mouse sanders, or any other sort of power tool.
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