Best sander for a cedar deck?

Hey everyone, first time poster here. I'm planning to refinish my old cedar deck this summer. It's about 300 sq ft, pretty weathered. I've got a circular saw and drill already, but need a sander. Should I rent a drum sander or get a random orbital? Budget around $150. Any advice?

If you value your fingers, go with a random orbital. Drum sanders are aggressive and can dig into the wood if you sneeze. Also, wear a respirator – cedar dust is nasty. Don't forget to check for loose nails first.

I did my deck with a cheap RO sander from Harbor Freight. Took forever but turned out fine. For 300 sq ft, you might want a 6-inch pad to speed things up. Get extra sandpaper packs. My two cents: use 80 grit for stripping, then 120.

I second the RO sander. A Makita BO5041 is within your budget if you shop around. It's got good dust collection and won't beat you up. For a deck, consider a mouse sander for the corners. And whatever you do, test on a hidden spot first!

Thanks for the tips! I'll go with the random orbital. Leaning towards the Makita. My buddy has a cheap one I can borrow for corners. Appreciate the safety advice too – I'll grab a respirator.