The abrasive coating of sanding bands and drums removes surface material to smooth and shape wood. They are available in different grits with higher grit numbers indicating finer grains and lower grit numbers indicating coarser grains. Sanding bands with higher grit provide less aggressive material removal for fine sanding while bands with lower grit provide more aggressive material removal for rough shaping or removing rust. The bands slide onto a rubber drum connected to a shank, which attaches to a rotary tool. They are replaceable and are compatible with a drum in a diameter and length matching the band. Sanding drums typically include one or more bands.

The cutting teeth on drum rasps and files provide rough material removal from wood, plastics, and other soft materials. Also called rotary rasps and files, they cut grooves and prepare materials for sanding and smoothing. Their shank attaches to the rotary tool. Drum rasps have pointed teeth for more aggressive material removal than files. The wider spacing between the teeth makes them less likely to clog. Files have linear teeth that leave a smoother finish for controlled material removal and shaping.