Different types of sanders

[Noogoot]

Hi

I'm after some advice from more experienced woodworkers please. When would you use the round-based random orbital sander as opposed to the square or rectangular-based orbital sanders? I can see how the latter two could get into areas the former couldn't, but are there any other reasons why you would choose one over the other?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Jake]

Orbital sanders have a regular stroke and leave more sanding marks, random orbitals are designed with an eccentric (thus "random") stroke, which helps to ensure that the sander sands away its own sanding marks, so leaving a better finish, faster.

 

[Noogoot]

Thanks Jake - that makes sense.