We are engaged in a project that requires sanding an 8-inch diameter inside curve. Our spindle sander only goes up to 4-inch diameter. Has anyone come across an idea for this, or a spindle sander that can take different size drums from 4- to maybe 10-inch diameter? Seems availability of sandpaper would be a problem, but a 4×24-inch belt would just about fit that 8-inch drum.
All ideas gratefully accepted.
Replies
I know they are out there somewhere, I have used one..it was inflatable and mounted horizontally..Check out Jet industrial type pedestal sanders.
I have not seen that dia. in an ocillationg spindle config. But maybe one is out there some where..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Every human choice bows like a slave in submission to the absolute creative will, yet this does not deprive us of freedom or fear of taking responsibility for what we choose
( Mansavi V,(3097-98_)))))>
Wouldn't be that hard to make a head, would it? A couple discs top and bottom (maybe a third in the middle) with dowells to keep them paralell?
Fasten that vertically to a bench so it can spin freely. Get some of those real long sanding belts they sell for stationary belt/disc sanders - get whatever width matches your belt sander. Then clamp your belt sander on it's side the appropriate distance from the head you made. Slip one end of the sanding belt over the head, the other over the drive wheel of your belt sander.
Maybe I'm missing something but that seems like it could work. Not?
If I read you corretly, the plan would be to make a drum of the appropriate diameter that runs off the drive drum of our belt sander. With the speeds and pressures involved, I'm thinking pillow blocks and steel shafts, not to mention copious amounts of grease. We are exploring that avenue. I must confess to hoping for something cheap, down and dirty, or commercially available. There is not enough product to warrant a major investment.
Thanks for the ideas. It's a good one.
Sphere,Thanx for the idea. We did find some inflatable sanding drums. Curious that we found the sandpaper tube in 8†but the drum was not offered. We will be making phone calls on Monday.
What material? How many pieces? If it's wood and not too many pieces, I'd think you could do it with a spokeshave in less time than it would take to build a sander.
Uncle Dunc,Material is poplar. Looking at between 50 and 100 table legs with an intricate pattern.Thank you for the suggestion.
Edited 1/23/2005 5:16 pm ET by capn john
Try the Kingsford's. There specialty is sandpaper, including all kind of specialties. So they will have the paper if it is avaible and would know who makes drums.
They did sell some tools and accessories. And they have flap sanders and inflatable drums that might work.
Correction: make that Klingspor...that's what ya meant?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Every human choice bows like a slave in submission to the absolute creative will, yet this does not deprive us of freedom or fear of taking responsibility for what we choose
( Mansavi V,(3097-98_)))))>
The funny thing was that I could not thing of the name.Kingsford, which is the charcoal compay, is the only name that would come to me.I was going to post that waying that I knew that it was not the right name, but I figured that would remind someone else of the right name.But I remembered that I had their catalog so went and got the name, but still put down the wrong one.
Yes, Sir, Bill. Checked all the catalogs. We might be on to something there. Thanx for the ideas.
Instead of trying to spin a huge drum, you can use a 3" drum with a template guide. Woodcraft sells a Robosander that's inexpensive and can do any shape accurately.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=257
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Second on the Robosander. The drum tends to be a bit convex, so space the workpiece off the template so the drum is centered on the workpiece. Works well and is cheap.
Love the sentiment, Hammer. Beat to fit, paint to match. Will continue to peruse catalogs. Seems easier than building something.
Just looked up Robosander. Kind of had this picture in my mind of Robocop meets Bob Villa. The idea looks interesting. My first thought is that with a few thousands dollars worth of sanders in the shop we end using the drill press. But, what the hey, if it works. . . This could be the simple answer.
Thanx for the ideas.
If you have more than a home shop, you may want to consider doing the project with templates. If the piece is small enough, you can use rub collars on the shaper. If the pieces are larger, you may want to use a router with a template guide. Another option is to rough cut the shapes with a jig saw, place an actual size template on the work and use a flush trimming bit. With fresh cutters, you may not need much sanding, if any. It's a little rare, that you need a sander to actually fit a shape perfectly but I don't know specifically what you need to accomplish.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanx for the suggestions. We have an almost full-blown shop with a plethora of sanders available. What we may be trying to overcome is our habit of using sanders that match the curve. It looks as though we have settled on using a template with router or Robosander type drum. Sometimes the answer is right in front and you don't see until it falls on you. Thanx for the help.