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Don Stephan

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Rotary Sanders
07/28/12 at 18:16:11

When sanding by hand on the lathe, those pesky sanding rings can be frustrating. Generally, keeping the sandpaper moving between center and rim minimizes the circular scratches, but occasionally one still slips by. Until I step up to power sanding (yes, I'll contact Vince) does anyone have experience with rotary or non-powered sanders? Or are they another historical artifact like so many tools in turning books and videos of a few years ago?

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Len Layman WR Patron Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 1716 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #1 - 07/28/12 at 18:42:29 Don, In my opinion they are OK but rather than spend money on them. Save it for a proper powered sander. I have spent way too much money trying to find a cheap, stop gap method for stuff cause I could afforded the right tool.
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JimQuarles WR Administrator WR Patron Online WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 10837 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #2 - 07/28/12 at 18:48:01 Those cheap unpowered sanders are more than half the cost of Vince's unit. And they don't do that great a job.
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Vinny Luciani WR Supporter Offline Just Go For It Posts: 37 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #3 - 07/28/12 at 18:50:22 You could use a 5 inch DA (random orbit sander) passive,with out air, and get great results. For outside sanding it`s great. You figure out the angles to hold it pretty quick.
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Rev. Doug Miller WR Patron Offline Working flat so I can support my addiction. Posts: 9602 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #4 - 07/28/12 at 19:09:02 I used one for a long time. Couldn't believe the difference when I switched to putting a mandril in a drill and sanding my work that way. So much quicker. Spend the money to get an angle drill and you'll be miles ahead.
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Breck Whitworth

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Re: Rotary Sanders
Reply #5 - 07/28/12 at 22:24:38

I have to agree with Rev. a sanding angle drill is the best way to go. I started by hand sanding using everything I could think of to keep my fingers from burning up and not wearing out my hands. When I got an angle drill for sanding I have never looked back. You can get them from vince or just get them on line like amazon.com I bought my last one for around $29 plus shipping that way and it is the exact same drill that everybody else sells. Including Klingspor and others. The non-powered ones usually have a name you have to pay for. They work better than by hand but they cost way too much for what they do. IMHO

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May the Lord Bless the work of our hands! And Necessity is the mother of invention:

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Don Stephan Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 282 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #6 - 07/29/12 at 07:04:41 THanks for the prompt replies. I'm happy not to spend money for a less satisfactory solution.
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hughie mackay

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Re: Rotary Sanders well worth the cost.
Reply #7 - 07/30/12 at 18:25:20

I have both power sanders [ a pistol drill ] random orbital sanders or enertia sanders. I have bought only one enertia sander all the rest I make myself as per my specific requirements.
Which do I prefer? Both have their place, I do have more enertia than power sanders. As I find them more convenient for the quick rub. I tend to have a couple on the lathe with different grits say 80 and 240.

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Richard Beversdorf

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Re: Rotary Sanders
Reply #8 - 07/31/12 at 05:39:33

Recently found myself in the same boat. My sander gave it up for the last time over the weekend. (It never was that great of a sander to begin with) And once again the vortex has been very demanding on it's desire to equip my shop with another toy. bang head

So I went shopping to see what is out there. It seems Vince has everyone else beat---prices and especially service.

Anyway, Vince has a reputable electric angled drill for just $55.

If you're ready to go pneumatic, he has a very nice pistol/angled pneumatic orbital sander kit on sale right now. Comes with pads, inner-face pads, sanding discs and case. An incredible bargain at $80 WITH shipping! Add it up and that's less than the electric option---if you don't need to buy a compressor.

Anyway, Vince also has a Grex angled random orbital pneumatic kit with 1, 2 and 3 inch pads and extensions at a very fair price.

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I've fallen into the vortex and been nicknamed "Wood Doctor" by a Mississippian! Life is good!

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robo_hippy WR Addict Online Posts: 1322	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #9 - 07/31/12 at 09:56:24 I have one pneumatic angle drill. It kept the compressor running non stop. Figured the electric bill would be a LOT less with the angle drill. robo hippy
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Robert Harper

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Re: Rotary Sanders
Reply #10 - 07/31/12 at 10:32:09

I made some early on. They worked OK but not as good as an angle drill with a 2" disk.

The way I made mine was to get a 45 degree elbow of PVC pipe, mount it on a dowel, then cut a disk of ply wood. Use recessed bolt to hold it in the other side of the eblow. Then I'd glue a foam pad and Velcro hooks on the disk. I still have them but don't use them because the drill/angle drill are so much better. You can get a cheep one from HF and if you don't push it too hard, it will last for quite a while.

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Live long, love life, and sail fast. Oh and turn fast too.

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Bill Cottrell WR Noob Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 14	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #11 - 08/02/12 at 14:48:34 Anybody got a pic or a link to the sanding system Vince is making?
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John Lawson WR Supporter Online Wombats rule! Posts: 1434 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #12 - 08/02/12 at 15:17:22 This is the link to his store: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Glenn Jacobs

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Re: Rotary Sanders
Reply #13 - 08/03/12 at 17:36:53

Just a plus for Vince. Last order I placed he forgot to drop in the 80 grit discs. Sent him an email, and he replyed, "Sorry about the mistake. I will send these out to you on Monday!" Oh that reply was on Sundy. They came in today and cost him more in shipping then the discs. SERVICE!! beer

Like I told my family,"It's Vince, don't worry. He'll make good." Yeah, he did. Thanks Vince. Glenn J.

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Chuck Beland WR Supporter Head WR Twit Offline I got my eyes on you. Posts: 12448 Gender:	Re: Rotary Sanders Reply #14 - 08/07/12 at 02:55:20 I used a HF one for 2 years until I dropped it & the case cracked. Sparks were coming out of it. I went & got one of Vince ones & even after dropping it 2 times It works perfectly.
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