Craftsman V20 Cordless Sanders and Corded Alternatives

Best for
Corners and vertical panels on V20 batteries

The CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX Cordless Detail Sander, CMCW221B, is the V20 tool for places a round pad cannot reach. It offers variable speed from 9,000 to 12,000 OPM, so you can slow down on delicate veneer and speed up on bare wood. The D-handle grip is built for comfort and control during vertical sanding, such as the inside of an arcade cabinet or the uprights of a bookshelf.

Dust is handled by an included dust bag or a 1-1/4 inch vacuum connection, and a dust-sealed switch adds durability. It is VERSATRACK compatible, measures 11.4 x 6.7 x 3.9 inches and weighs 1.18 kg, about 2.6 pounds. The battery is sold separately. Some specification fields, such as a 20 amp amperage capacity and a single 60 grit number, do not fit a detail sander and look like data errors. It suits makers who already run V20 batteries and need to reach corners; for large flat panels, it gives way to the orbital sander below.

• Variable speed, 9,000 to 12,000 OPM
• D-handle grip for vertical sanding
• Dust bag and 1-1/4 inch vacuum connection
• Dust-sealed switch

Best for
Desktops and shelves, cord-free

The CRAFTSMAN V20 Orbital Sander, CMCW220B, is a 5 inch cordless random orbit sander rated at up to 12,000 OPM for fast material removal. Craftsman positions it for surface preparation, smoothing seams and removing paint or varnish, which covers most of what a desk or shelf build needs before finishing.

A low-profile, lightweight design adds control and reduces vibration, and it weighs 2.6 pounds. Dust collection uses an onboard bag or a 1-1/4 inch vacuum hose, and the switch is dust sealed. In the box you get a dust bag and one sheet each of 60, 80 and 120 grit paper, enough to go from rough shaping to a smooth surface. It is a bare tool with a 3-year limited warranty and VERSATRACK compatibility. The listing does not mention variable speed. This is the core sander for V20 owners, and a Craftsman 20V vacuum on the same batteries makes cleanup easier.

• 5 inch random orbit, up to 12,000 OPM
• Low profile for control and reduced vibration
• 60, 80 and 120 grit papers included
• 3-year limited warranty

Best for
V20 owners buying refurbished

The CRAFTSMAN CMCW220BR V20 Lithium-Ion Cordless Random Orbit Sander is a renewed version of the CMCW220B sold through Amazon Renewed. The features match the new tool: a 5 inch pad, up to 12,000 OPM, onboard dust bag and 1-1/4 inch vacuum connection, low profile, dust-sealed switch and the same dust bag plus 60, 80 and 120 grit sandpaper. It weighs 2.6 pounds.

The listing contradicts itself. Its features say tool only with battery and charger sold separately, while its description mentions a 2Ah battery and variable speed from 7,500 to 12,000 RPM. Based on the title and features, expect a bare tool, and do not count on a battery or variable speed. The manufacturer warranty is a 90-day limited warranty, compared with 3 years on the new tool. It suits V20 owners who sand occasionally and accept a refurbished unit.

• Same 5 inch V20 random orbit design
• Dust bag and three grits of paper
• 90-day limited warranty
• Battery and charger sold separately per features

Best for
Flattening rough stock fast

The CRAFTSMAN Electric 7 Amp Belt Sander, CMEW213, is a different class of tool. It runs a 3 x 21 inch belt at up to 800 feet per minute from a 7 amp corded motor, which is what you want for flattening glued-up desktop panels, leveling uneven joints or stripping old finish quickly.

An angled belt design lets it sand closer to adjoining surfaces, a tool-free release makes belt changes quick, and an onboard dust bag handles collection. A 3-position over-molded handle improves comfort. At 6.6 pounds and 15.37 x 6.8 x 7.1 inches, it is the heaviest sander here, and it removes material fast enough to gouge thin veneer if you are careless. It suits the early, rough stages of a build; hand the surface to an orbital sander for finishing.

• 7 amp motor, 800 FPM
• 3 x 21 inch belt, angled design
• Tool-free belt release
• 3-position over-molded handle

The CRAFTSMAN Orbital Sander, CMEW231, is the corded counterpart to the V20 orbital. It uses a 3 amp motor to deliver 12,000 OPM on a 5 inch random orbit pad, and Craftsman positions it for the same jobs: surface preparation, smoothing seams and removing paint or varnish.

It has a low-profile design for control and reduced vibration, a dust-sealed switch, an onboard dust bag and a connection for a 1-3/4 inch vacuum hose, larger than the 1-1/4 inch port on the V20 tools. It weighs 3.4 pounds and carries a 3-year limited warranty. The box includes the sander and a dust bag; the listing does not mention sandpaper. This suits makers doing long finishing sessions at a bench, where a battery would need swapping; if you move around a lot or already own V20 packs, the CMCW220B is more convenient.

• 3 amp, 12,000 OPM
• 5 inch random orbit pad
• 1-3/4 inch vacuum connection
• 3-year limited warranty

The CRAFTSMAN Detail Sander, CMEW210, is a corded mouse sander and the fastest tool here at up to 14,000 OPM. The title says it includes two attachments, sandpaper sheets and a dust bag, and the detail attachment helps it reach hard-to-access places such as cabinet corners, trim profiles and the inside of drawer openings.

A rubber over-molded grip adds comfort and helps reduce fatigue, the switch is dust sealed, and a one-handed locking dust bag attaches securely. It is VERSATRACK compatible with a hook rather than a clip. It weighs 1.25 kg and measures 5.9 x 4.5 x 11.2 inches. The listing gives fine and extra fine grit types with a 120 grit number. It suits finish work and detail at the bench, and gives way to the CMCW221B when you want to work away from an outlet.

• 14,000 OPM
• Detail attachment for tight spots
• Rubber over-molded grip
• One-handed locking dust bag