Need sander recommendations for building a backyard deck

Hey everyone, planning to build a 12x16 foot pressure-treated pine deck this spring. Never done a deck before but I'm handy with basic tools. What kind of sander should I get for smoothing all those boards? I see belt sanders, orbital sanders, random orbit... getting confused! Budget around $150. Thanks!

OP - For deck building, you'll want efficiency. Pressure-treated pine can be rough. I'd recommend a 5" random orbital sander (ROS) for most of it - get one with variable speed. Use 80-grit to start, then 120. For the really rough spots, a belt sander can save time, but ROS is more versatile for future projects. Look at DeWalt or Makita in your budget. And WEAR A MASK - treated wood dust is nasty.

Dave's right about the ROS, but if you wanna go pro, get a cordless one! I've got the Milwaukee M18 Fuel ROS and it's a beast - no cords on the deck is sweet. But yeah, for your budget, corded is fine. Also, consider a detail sander for corners and railings. Harbor Freight's Bauer ROS is surprisingly decent for $40 if you wanna save cash for other tools!

I built a small deck last year! The random orbital was perfect. One tip: sand the boards BEFORE you install them if possible - much easier than crouching down later. I used a DeWalt ROS and it handled everything. Don't forget to seal the wood after sanding! Makes a huge difference in longevity.

All good advice here. For restoration work, I'd add: check if the pressure-treated wood is wet - sanding wet wood clogs paper fast. Let it dry a few days if it's fresh. Also, consider a dust extraction system - deck sanding creates tons of dust. A shop vac adapter for your sander is worth every penny. Festool makes the best but pricey; Ridgid or Shop-Vac adapters work fine for DIY.