6 common mistakes to avoid when learning how to use an orbital sander

Teal and black orbital sander sat next to three circular sanding discs on a wooden table
Knowing how to use an orbital sander correctly will result in the best finish (Image credit: Getty Images)

It goes without saying that knowing how to use an orbital sander will mean you will get a better finish. And. although you can take it straight out of the box and start sanding without any previous experience, you will make mistakes. The fact is, even if you’ve been using an orbital sander for a while as part of your sanding methods, you can still leave annoying swirls, pits and rounded corners.

Getting your hands on a quality brand will make a difference, but you still need to know how to handle the sander, however good it is.

Kevin Keen-President Keens Buildings
Kevin Keen

Kevin has been in the construction industry for 25 years and handles everything, from the distribution and installation of portable structures to financing and manufacturing. He can speak with authority on every aspect of building.

Mark Irving Online sales manager at Build & Plumb
Mark Irving

Mark has over 20 years of experience in the building sector, leading to a wealth of knowledge surrounding building and renovating that he enjoys sharing with others who are looking to complete their own building projects.

Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating. 

He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.

He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.