Sanding corners and other tight or hard-to-reach places can be challenging with a regular orbital or sheet sander. The angular design and larger size of most sanders makes maneuvering into corners and small spaces difficult. Therefore, woodworkers and DIYers often need a more specialized tool to sand these types of areas effectively. A corner sander, sometimes called a detail or mouse sander, is a must-have for perfectly sanding inside corners, tight spots, edges and more. With a triangular or teardrop-shaped base and a narrow profile, corner sanders allow you to get into areas that other sanders simply can’t reach. There are several types of corner sanders available, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Knowing which features to look for will ensure you choose the right corner sander for your needs and project.
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Types of Corner Sanders
There are a few main types of corner sanders to choose from:
Triangle/Delta Sanders
Triangle or delta sanders have a triangular sanding pad that allows them to get into and sand 90 degree inside corners with ease. The three-sided design lets you sand right up to the very tip of the corner. Triangle sanders are ideal for sanding inside corners of window frames, door frames, joint trims and any other 90 degree corners. They are more specialized than some other corner sander styles. The smaller triangular sanding surface also limits the sander’s versatility for non-corner areas.
Teardrop/Paddle Sanders
Teardrop or paddle sanders feature a teardrop-shaped sanding pad that tapers to a rounded point. The tapered design allows excellent maneuverability into inside corners and tight spaces like dovetail joints. The tip of the teardrop sander can get into spots as small as 3/8″, allowing you to sand tight interior corners and small crevices with ease. The rounded edges of the pad also adapt well to exterior curves and rounded surfaces. Teardrop sanders offer slightly more versatility than triangle corner sanders. However, they may not fit perfectly into a sharp 90 degree inside corner.
Corner Finish Sanders
Corner finish sanders, sometimes called quarter-sheet orbit sanders, use a square sanding pad around 1/4 the size of a standard 1/2 sheet sander. The compact 4″ x 4″ pad lets them fit easily into tight spaces and inside corners. However, the square design does not conform as closely to corners as the triangular and teardrop style pads. Corner finish sanders are a good choice when you need more surface sanding capabilities from your corner sander in addition to tight space sanding.
Power Types
In addition to the shape of the sanding pad, corner sanders are also available with different motor power types:
Air-powered
Air-powered corner sanders connect to a shop air compressor and pneumatic power. Pneumatic sanders are known for delivering smooth, powerful sanding with minimal vibration. However, they do require being attached to a stationary air compressor via an air hose.
Cordless
Cordless corner sanders provide maximum convenience and portability since there is no cord to plug in or air hose to connect. Cordless sanders operate on battery power, typically 18V lithium ion batteries. Battery life tends to be more limited than unlimited air power. But lithium ion batteries last significantly longer per charge than older battery styles.
Corded Electric
Corded electric corner sanders simply plug into a standard wall outlet. This provides unlimited sanding time. The trade off is that you must work within reach of the wall outlet or use extension cords. Corded tools are often more affordably priced than battery-powered varieties.
Features to Look for in a Corner Sander
Sanding Pad Design
The specific design of the sanding pad is the most important factor for effectively fitting into corners. Triangular and teardrop pads are specially made to fit 90 degree and tight interior corners. Square quarter-sheet pads work for general tight space sanding. Consider which design is best suited to your most common sanding applications.
Size
Corner sanders are smaller by design for maneuverability. However, there is still some variability in size. More compact corner sanders as small as 3″ or 4″ may be preferred for detail work like sanding dollhouses or jewelry boxes. For most trim carpentry or furniture applications, a 5″ or 6″ sander size allows better balance and control.
Dust Collection
Built-in dust collection helps keep both your project and your workspace cleaner while sanding. Some corner sanders have ports to attach to a vacuum dust collection system or dust bag. For the most convenient dust collection option, look for sanders with an integrated micro filter system.
Variable Speed Settings
The ability to adjust the speed gives you control over the level of sanding aggressiveness. Slow speeds help smooth finishes, while higher speeds allow more aggressive material removal. Match the speed to the grit of the sandpaper you are using.
Ergonomic Grip
Look for a rubberized, contoured grip, which allows for most comfortable handling, especially during extended sanding jobs. Top handle design also improves control and precision.
Accessories
Added features like different grit sanding pads, small sanding or polishing pads, dust bags, and work lights add value and versatility.
Best Sanders for Corners and Tight Spaces
With an understanding of the different features and design options of corner sanders, here are 5 of the best choices for sanding in corners and tight places:
| Sander | Type | Power | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita BO5041K | Teardrop | Cordless | Extremely compact (3″) for tight spaces; dust collection bag |
| Festool ETS EC 150/3 EQ | Teardrop | Corded Electric | Long narrow 5.5″ design; integrated dust extraction |
| PORTER-CABLE PCC71B | Triangle | Corded Electric | 5 amp motor with 10,000 RPM |
| Chicago Pneumatic CP734H | Teardrop | Air-powered | Dual finger pads; powerful air motor |
| Bosch GSS20-40 | Square | Cordless | Quarter-sheet orbital design; variable speed |
Makita BO5041K
The Makita BO5041K is an ultra-compact 3″ cordless corner sander that provides access to extremely tight spaces other sanders can’t reach. Despite its small size, it delivers 11,000 OPM for fast material removal. The teardrop-shaped pad adapts well to interior corners. The sander uses an 18V LXT lithium ion battery for sustained power. It also includes a handy dust collection bag to keep sanding debris under control. At under $100, this tiny corner sander is a great value.
Festool ETS EC 150/3 EQ
For a more powerful and versatile corded corner sander, the Festool ETS EC 150/3 EQ is an excellent choice. The 5.5″ teardrop design provides a good balance of tight space sanding and surface area coverage. An integrated dust extraction system keeps dust away from the workpiece and your breathing zone. Fast grip clamping makes changing abrasives simple and fast. At around $230, this sander provides sustained power and truly dustless sanding.
PORTER-CABLE PCC71B
The PORTER-CABLE PCC71B is designed specifically for sanding 90 degree interior corners. The triangular sanding pad’s three 8″ sides ensure a close fit into inside corners. A 5 amp motor provides a no load speed of 10,000 RPM for fast stock removal. At just $35, this corded electric triangle sander allows rapid corner sanding at a budget-friendly price point.
Chicago Pneumatic CP734H
For air-powered corner sanding, the Chicago Pneumatic CP734H is a strong choice. Dual finger pads give added comfort and control compared to a traditional stick grip. The curved teardrop-shaped base measures 2.5″ x 5″, fitting tight corners while still covering surface area. The sander runs on standard shop air pressure up to 90 PSI. If you already have an air compressor, it takes corner sanding power to the next level for around $55.
Bosch GSS20-40
The Bosch GSS20-40 offers an alternative square quarter-sheet orbital sander design optimized for tight spaces. Despite the compact size, its powerful motor and variable 6,000 – 12,000 RPM speed provide 50% faster removal than previous Bosch models. Minimal vibration operation reduces user fatigue. The sander takes standard quarter-sheet sandpaper. At 4.5 lbs, this versatile cordless corner detail sander provides comfortable extended sanding capabilities.
Conclusion
Sanding inside corners and tight spaces requires specialized tools designed for maximum maneuverability. Key features like triangular and teardrop sanding pads, compact size, dust collection, variable speeds, and ergonomic handling distinguish quality corner sanders. Both air-powered and electric corner sanders are available to suit different workshop setups. Brands like Makita, Festool, Porter-Cable and Bosch stand out for high performance corner sanders. Choosing the right sander for your needs will ensure you can achieve perfectly sanded corners, even in the tightest spots. With so many great options available, there’s no need to struggle with unsatisfactory sanding results in corners and confined areas. Investing in a corner sander opens up new levels of precision sanding.