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Steve Rollinson

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Gifu
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Angle grinder with a variac
Mar 2^nd, 2015 at 8:01pm

I have been using an angle grinder for sanding but the high speed makes for a stressful and aggressive sessions. I found and old variac and I've been using the two together and what a difference! I can sit and turn the piece by hand, sand and polish accurately at slow speed. I've read this will burn out the grinder but so far everything is running cool and quiet. Around here I can replace the grinder 2nd hand for about $5.00. Anyone else try this?

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Anthony Yakonick Senior Member Offline Posts: 413	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #1 - Mar 2^nd, 2015 at 8:41pm The question I have is, why a grinder for sanding??
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Steve Rollinson Senior Member Offline If you're like me, and I know I am... Posts: 456 Gifu Japan Gender:	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #2 - Mar 2^nd, 2015 at 9:04pm I'm in Japan and finding an offset drill is hard. I like the leverage from gripping the tool from the side.
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Don Bunce Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 256 Valparaiso Indiana USA	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #3 - Mar 3^rd, 2015 at 1:09am I use an angle grinder with 40 grit paper for sanding stacked MDF or plywood. Full speed, never saw a need to slow it down. Makes a ton of dust, a good dust collector is required. Needless to say, this is for rough sanding, and final shaping.
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robo_hippy

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Eugene, OR
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Re: Angle grinder with a variac
Reply #4 - Mar 4^th, 2015 at 11:45am

Why a grinder? Well, because they would be built to withstand the stresses of 3 inch discs, where an angle drill is made for drill bits, maybe up to 1/2 inch. Huge difference in 'purpose'. The main problem with the angle grinders is that they spin at speeds or 10,000 or so, where sanding with 220 grit should be done at around 500 or so. I am working on it...

robo hippy

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Ed Weber

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Wilton
California
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JET 1642
Grizzly G0584

Re: Angle grinder with a variac
Reply #5 - Mar 4^th, 2015 at 1:20pm

robo_hippy wrote on Mar 4^th, 2015 at 11:45am:

I am working on it...

IMO There's really not much to "work on"
You can buy a speed controller (typically sold for routers) These provide the variable speed control you want/need for sanding and are not that expensive
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This is just one of many possible solutions

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Tony Rozendaal WR Addict Online WR Rocks! Posts: 990 East Troy, WI Wisconsin USA Gender: Robust AB Grizzly 12x20 Midi Lathe Delta 10x16 Mini Lathe	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #6 - Mar 4^th, 2015 at 1:30pm Angle grinders have a universal (brush type) motor so the use of a variac should have a minimal effect on motor life.
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Steve nix Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 323 Iota Louisiana USA Gender: 1642 Jet, RobustAB	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #7 - Mar 4^th, 2015 at 1:53pm Ok, I need a little help. How are you attaching sanding disc to grinder?
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Steve Rollinson Senior Member Offline If you're like me, and I know I am... Posts: 456 Gifu Japan Gender:	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #8 - Mar 4^th, 2015 at 3:05pm There are velcro discs available. The variac does work very well.
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robo_hippy WR Addict Offline Posts: 3,638 Eugene, OR USA	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #9 - Mar 5^th, 2015 at 1:00am Dang it Ed, now you got me thinking again.... Oh the strain.... Do they have jacobs chucks that can adapt to an angle grinder? robo hippy
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Steve Rollinson Senior Member Offline If you're like me, and I know I am... Posts: 456 Gifu Japan Gender:	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #10 - Mar 5^th, 2015 at 1:20am Reed, you'll need a long extension cord!
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Don Bunce Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 256 Valparaiso Indiana USA	Re: Angle grinder with a variac Reply #11 - Mar 5^th, 2015 at 11:27am Arbortech makes a contour random sander that mounts on an angle grinder. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Grant Wilkinson

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Ottawa
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Re: Angle grinder with a variac
Reply #12 - Mar 5^th, 2015 at 8:00pm

I have a Walter variable speed angle grinder for sanding. I made an adapter to take the stock male "spindle" down to a 1.4" x 20 female. I can screw my mandrels from Vince into that. I made another adapter that takes the hexagon male shanks and I made mandrels using wood and velcro for all of the grits. As others have said, the beauty of the grinder is that it is made to put up with dust and hard use.

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« Last Edit: Mar 5^th, 2015 at 8:02pm by Grant Wilkinson »

Grant Wilkinson
Ottawa ON

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Harry Robinette

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turners do it with a spin

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Re: Angle grinder with a variac
Reply #13 - Mar 10^th, 2015 at 9:43pm

Robo
Check and see if Bill Needow's web site is still up.
If not call me 330-221-4779 any time between 0900 am to 1000 pm est.
I have the info on how to mount you sanding disk to the grinder and slow the grinder down.
Bill was a outstanding turner and he studied sanding turnings for like 9 years. Bill was also a friend.

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Harry Robinette-Woodspinner

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Jennifer Hasan

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Beacon, ny
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Re: Angle grinder with a variac
Reply #14 - Mar 11^th, 2015 at 7:23am

For heavy duty sanding I use 4-1/2 inch 120 grit flap discs with my angle grinder. Very aggressive but works like a charm. And cheap! Only $3.99 a disc.

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Jenn

Ps did not know about the Arbortech Contour Random Sander. That looks fabulous.

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