These smooth operators save time and effort. More convenience and safety features for less money help account for their growing popularity.

Some of the latest power sanders can skim off as much wood in 5 minutes as you could in 30 minutes of continuous sanding by hand. Many are easier to use than older models. And nearly all have a dust bag--important considering the health risks of inhaling wood dust.

That and prices as low as $20 help explain why annual sales recently jumped 15 percent to 2.3 million. Homeowners are driving much of that growth as they use power sanders for everything from refinishing a desk to building a picnic table.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

Major brands include Black & Decker, Craftsman, Dewalt, Makita, Porter Cable, Ryobi, and Skil. You’ll find four major types of power sanders at the store:

Random-orbit. Best for versatility, these can do some rough sanding and most finish sanding, which helps explain their large share of the market. The round pad moves in a random ellipse to help prevent gouges. Price range: about $20 to $100.

Finishing. Best for small to moderate-sized tasks, finishing sanders have squared-off pads that can reach into corners. The most popular type along with random-orbit models, finishing sanders can handle a variety of homeowner tasks. Price range: about $20 to $70.

Belt. Best for smoothing doors, tabletops, and other large or uneven areas, a belt sander has a pulley-driven loop that removes more wood in less time than other sanders. But it isn’t meant for small-area or finish sanding. Price range: about $50 to $200.

Detail. Best for sanding around chair spindles, moldings, and other tight spots, most detail sanders have triangular pads that are good for corners. Some also come with finger-shaped pads for sanding around slots and grooves. But none are meant for rough-sanding or large areas. Price range: $30 to $50.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

An attached dust bag captures dust routed into it via holes in the pad, but requires frequent emptying. A vacuum connection lets you attach a wet/dry vac for more thorough dust-collecting, though the hose may hamper maneuverability and handling.

Random-orbit and detail sanders use a hook-and-loop system to attach the sanding pad. Many finishing sanders have a lever-and-clip system. And all finishing sanders can be converted to pressure-sensitive adhesive pads. All belt sanders use a flip-out lever and tracking control to lock the sandpaper loop in place.

Many models of all types can be gripped securely with one or both hands for added ease and stability. A two-handed grip is especially important for a belt sander’s heavier-duty rough sanding, as is a large front grip that keeps hands well spaced to ease larger jobs. Some belt sanders can be secured to a bench with the belt facing upward--convenient for two-handed shaping where you hold the wood against the spinning belt, rather than the belt against the work piece.

Many belt sanders allow you to adjust tracking with a knob or thumbscrew instead of a screwdriver to move the paper nearer to one edge or the other. Many also have a trigger lock that can be locked in the On position with one hand.

Most finishing sanders with a dust bag or vacuum connection include a template for punching the pattern for the dust-routing holes in replacement sandpaper.

Variable speed adds control by letting you sand more slowly and carefully.

A long cord lets you dispense with an extension cord near an electrical outlet. A carrying case makes storage easier and neater.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Lots of choices for power sanders mean more considerations when shopping. Here are some of the major features you should be thinking about:

Decide how you’ll use it. Determine which of the four types of power sanders meets your needs. If you’re buying just one sander, you’ll probably prefer a random-orbit or a finishing sander, which offer the most versatility.

If you’re buying a finishing sander, choose a one-quarter-sheet model for mostly small jobs and a larger, one-third-sheet model for the occasional tabletop.

Consider your strength. A heavier sander tends to remove more wood in less time, since more weight helps the sander contact the wood more effectively. While the added heft isn’t an issue with most types of sanders, it could be with belt sanders, some of which weigh 11 pounds or more. Particularly for belt-type sanders, try lifting and holding the sander at the store. Then choose the heaviest model you can handle comfortably.

Check the grip. For added control, especially with larger, harder-working models, make sure the sander is easy to grasp with one or both hands.

Look for a bag and a vac connection. Many sanders now include at least one of these features. But most of the low-cost models lack an attached dust-collection bag, a port for connecting a wet/dry vacuum hose, or both. A vacuum connection is especially important. Besides capturing dust more thoroughly than a bag, attaching a wet/dry vacuum helped speed sanding with several models we tested.

Look for easy paper changes. Even small projects may require that you replace the sandpaper several times. The hook-and-loop pads now common on random-orbit and detail sanders are the easiest to change. Some sanders of other types also make changing the sandpaper relatively convenient.

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