Tool Review: Lights for your Sander

Lighting the way

Surface imperfections can slip past even the most skilled woodworkers. One way to improve your odds is with proper lighting. Fortunately, toolmakers are on the case, and I had the opportunity to try two new options for enhanced lighting during sanding.

Dutton Tools Individualized Sander Light, duttontools.com	Easy to attach. Mount the Dutton light by simply sliding it into place.	Light it up. The light comes with a 16-ft. cord, and zip ties are included for cord management.

First up was the Individualized Sander Light from Dutton Tools. I used the one for the Festool ETS 150, but the company offers models for many Festool and Mirka sanders, as well as some Dewalt, Bosch, and 3M sanders. The light is a 3D printed plastic clip with an embedded LED strip. The light mounts onto the sander by simply sliding it into place–no tools required. In use, the light did not vibrate or come loose.

It provides strong light, illuminating several inches near the sanding disc–right where your eyes are already focused. The light comes with a 16’ cord–plenty long enough for any shop, and small zip ties are included for easy cord management. The lights clip on and off easily, but in my shop, it is likely to remain attached most of the time. Dutton is developing a battery-powered option as well.

The other tool I tested is the Festool ETSC 2 150. This battery-operated sander has a light built into the machine. Unlike the Dutton light, there are high and low settings with default brightnesses built in. These settings can actually be adjusted through the Festool app if you want to dial them in. I have used Festool sanders for years, and this one performs just as well as I’ve come to expect.

I was a bit skeptical of the dust bag and tend to prefer using a vacuum for sanding operations. However, the internal Festool system for pulling dust away from the workpiece and into the bag worked really well. Generally, I’ve always thought of cordless sanders being more useful for sitework and installations, but given the collection power of the bag and strong light, I can see this tool getting a lot of use in any shop, particularly in tight spaces like the inside of cabinetry.

Either of these lights work great for helping you find any imperfections in your surface preparation and avoiding post-finish surprises. There are small differences between the lights worth noting: First, the Festool light is slightly stronger, casting a larger halo of light than the Dutton light. Another small difference: the Dutton light has a small shadow ring surrounding the sanding disc; the Festool does not have this shadow.

Finally, the Festool light is a cooler temperature than the Dutton. When it comes to price, the Dutton light is $49.99 and easily snaps onto the sander you may already own. However, if you’re in the market for a new sander, the ETSC 2 ($499 for the 6”; $399 for the 5”) is a great choice.

—Adam Godet, a woodworker in Washington, D.C.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner

This joinery machine revolutionized woodworking for so many. There is no easier way to get mortise and tenon joints—but it comes at a cost.

The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.

Among the most powerful HEPA-rated shop vacs on the market, Fein’s Turbo II is quieter, more compact, and nimbler than the rest.