Highlights:

• Cordless
• Attaches to a vacuum 
• Variable speed

There aren’t many cordless detail sanders on the market, and this Porter-Cable is a shining example of the category. You can attach a cordless vacuum to the rear end of the tool to make cleanup easier, though this shouldn’t be as relevant to 3D-printing-related applications. Another welcome feature is the variable speed dial to switch between polishing finer details and removing entire support structures, which means this detail sander could be used in more than one stage of the sanding process. 

Because of its form factor, however, you might find it more useful to lay this detail sander on its side and move the 3D printed model rather than the sander body. After all, it was designed to be used in larger woodworking projects. Overall, this is a fantastic up-to-date tool to give you a break from bicep-wrenching manual labor. 

Porter-Cable Cordless Detail Sander

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Highlights:

• Compact size
• Dust collection option
• Proprietary sanding pads

Of course, the well-known power tool brand Black&Decker has its own offering: the BDEMS600. It’s called the “Mouse”, and for a good reason, given that it’s small and fits in tight spaces. That’s great news for us 3D printing enthusiasts, who will rarely unleash this detail sander on a kitchen chair, but instead press its rough toolhead against plastic models.

This detail sander will be quite happy rubbing away at your palm-sized models, and you won’t feel like you’re grinding away too much fine detail that took hours to print, either. 

But make sure you get extra proprietary sanding pads when purchasing this tool, because many users have reported that generic sandpaper does not always fit the tool’s mounting holes. Otherwise, it’s a reliable detail sander with a good form factor for finishing your 3D prints. 

Black&Decker Mouse

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Highlights:

• Well-loved
• Unique form factor
• Affordable, given a myriad of functions

One of the most popular detail sanders among DIY hobbyists, the GMT15A comes with tools for cutting and scraping as well as sanding. And although these functions might not be immediately useful for polishing your 3D models, they might come in handy the next time you have a nozzle jam and you just want a clean start. (We’re joking. Cutting off your 3D printer’s nozzle intentionally is dangerous and not recommended.)

As for sanding, the GMT15A’s unique form factor might suit some users better. Controlling the sanding tool with the wrist rather than moving your whole arm to manipulate a palm-held variant provides more control and finesse. This advantage quickly becomes obvious when you start sanding a curved surface. Many home hackers have found this tool quite useful, and it’s a solid helper in the model finishing process.

Genesis GMT15A Multi-Tool

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Highlights:

• Relatively small
• Cheap
• Good reviews

This one is too cheap and too good to not be on the list. Another option from Genesis brings you a tiny detail sander designed for detail work — perfect for smaller 3D models.

At this price, it’s also a better option for those who won’t be sanding very often, or just need the detail sander for a one-time project. But don’t be fooled: With two years of warranty and a strong chorus of positive reviews, the GPS080 Palm Sander will be sanding away quite well for a long time.

Genesis Palm Sander

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