What are the key differences between a pad sander and an orbital sander, and which one would be more suitable for my woodworking project?

The key differences between a pad sander and an orbital sander are the motion they use to sand. A pad sander moves in a back-and-forth motion, while an orbital sander moves in a circular motion.

For woodworking projects, an orbital sander is generally more suitable as it provides a smoother finish and is less likely to leave swirl marks on the wood. It is also more versatile and can be used for a variety of sanding tasks.