Sander for refinishing deck - which one?

Hey guys, I'm about to refinish my 12x16 deck. It's got some old stain that's peeling and I need to sand it down before restaining. I've got a budget of around $100. Should I get a random orbital sander, belt sander, or something else? Never owned a sander before, so appreciate any advice!

For a deck, a belt sander is gonna be your best bet for removing old stain fast. But be careful, they can gouge the wood if you're not careful. A random orbital is more forgiving but slower. If you go ROS, get one with a good dust collection or you'll be breathing sawdust for days. What brand are you looking at?

I've done a dozen decks and I swear by my Bosch ROS20VSC. It's a 5-inch random orbital with a variable speed dial. For $99 it's a workhorse. But for heavy removal, you might want to start with a belt sander like Wendy said. Just don't press down too hard, let the tool do the work. Also, wear a mask!

As a roofer, I've sanded many a deck. Belt sander is great for the initial pass, but for the final smoothing, ROS all the way. Also, consider a detail sander for corners and between boards. And make sure you use the right grit - start with 60 or 80 for removal, then go up to 120 or 150 before staining. Don't skip grits!

Thanks for the tips! I think I'll get a belt sander for the rough stuff and maybe borrow a ROS from a friend for finishing. Any specific belt sander recommendations under $100?