Pneumatic drill recommendation for sanding bowls?

[Michael McNally]

It's that time of year again. My bowl sanding drill has died of dust exposure, again. I did my best to clear it of dust this time. I swear. I was wondering if anyone else uses or has used a pneumatic drill for bowl sanding. I have the compressed air already at the lathe for clearing stuff off. The pneumatic drills can be relatively inexpensive, small and won't be bothered by dust (please tell me if I am wrong, I don't own one and guessing). After looking at them for a day on line..... The pneumatic drills are (mostly) high RPM (1800+) and I want 300-500 RPM for bowl sanding so don't burn out the paper or over sand. Also easy quick reverse is a big feature of me. You can find pneumatic sanders with finger speed control but many on line complain it's kinda hard regulate the speed with the controls on air drills.. OK, all the context out the way: Can you recommend a pneumatic drill for bowl sanding or is this a goofy idea?

 

[David Gilbert]

I tried a small Grex orbital hand sander (random orbital sander). I liked the random orbital feature but the high speed and low torque didn't work for me. Maybe the pneumatic drills will be better.
I have tried the angled drills and hated them They were noisy and were really hard on my hands. I eventually moved to a flexible line attached to a motor hung from my rafters. It has a 3/8" jacobs chuck so I can change sanding pads. It runs too fast (1725 RPM) but with a light touch it works very well. It's quieter, has the power to really sand when needed and is always ready to work. I use this system on my bowls. My smaller boxes and such are normally hand sanded.

 

[Michael McNally]

I tried a small Grex orbital hand sander (random orbital sander). I liked the random orbital feature but the high speed and low torque didn't work for me. Maybe the pneumatic drills will be better.
I have tried the angled drills and hated them They were noisy and were really hard on my hands. I eventually moved to a flexible line attached to a motor hung from my rafters. It has a 3/8" jacobs chuck so I can change sanding pads. It runs too fast (1725 RPM) but with a light touch it works very well. It's quieter, has the power to really sand when needed and is always ready to work. I use this system on my bowls. My smaller boxes and such are normally hand sanded.

I am not a fan of high speed bowl sanding at all because of the hard grain/soft grain issue with lots of wide grained wood that I love to turn and accent. The Grex thing looks neat but probably wouldn't be go to for me either. I am feeling done with the angled electric drills approach as well for the reasons you mention and they always burn up too soon. Interesting idea about the over the head sander - like the Dremel flex shaft? The Dremel type device will let you set the speed which would be nice. I wonder about the shaft limiting access to deeper stuff.... but there all those fun attachments. Sander-n-carver? Maybe some other brand a more flexible shaft. Googling and reading will being. Thank you.

 

[Ron Solfest]

I have a couple of the cheap knock-off angle drills from Harbor Freight or some such. They’ve lasted me longer than the more expensive Sioux I bought 30yrs ago. I think the current ones are 10-15yrs old, if I recall correctly I threw one away between the Sioux and these two. I find them heavy and uncomfortable to hold for long so I just use them for heavy sanding with 120 or 150 grit; a 3” mandrel sits permanently on one, a 2” on the other.

Several years ago I bought a pneumatic RO from WoodTurners Wonders that I like a lot, light and comfortable. A year or two ago I had problems with it and had to clean it out a couple times. During this time I purchased a Grex pistol grip RO. I like the WW one much better, but now use both with twist off pads for various grits and sizes; the WW is probably used ~80% of the time.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

I have a Grex ros for finish sanding inside surfaces with a kludged trigger limiter - still probably runs at 3k+. I often use an electric Festool 5" ros for outside surfaces. For rough sanding I get the most mileage out of a Milwaukee rotary sander/polisher that runs in low range at 2800 rpm. I don't think you will find an air tool that runs at the rpms you are looking for.

I don't have a problem with high rpms as long as the velcro discs don't fly off. Just keep the tool moving. You can burn with dull abrasives or grind out of round at any speed.

I know a couple of pro turners (including Al Stirt) who use high speed (8k+ rpm) air grinders for sanding. They use glue or mechanical means to hold the discs in place. They turn clean so they don't have to remove a lot of material. I'm still working on that aspect.

 

[Michael McNally]

I have a couple of the cheap knock-off angle drills from Harbor Freight or some such. They’ve lasted me longer than the more expensive Sioux I bought 30yrs ago. I think the current ones are 10-15yrs old, if I recall correctly I threw one away between the Sioux and these two. I find them heavy and uncomfortable to hold for long so I just use them for heavy sanding with 120 or 150 grit; a 3” mandrel sits permanently on one, a 2” on the other.

Several years ago I bought a pneumatic RO from WoodTurners Wonders that I like a lot, light and comfortable. A year or two ago I had problems with it and had to clean it out a couple times. During this time I purchased a Grex pistol grip RO. I like the WW one much better, but now use both with twist off pads for various grits and sizes; the WW is probably used ~80% of the time.

Neat. I went and looked and found this:

PROS Mini Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better. We have been asked for this in the past and now it is a reality. Our Mini PROS is the most aggressive sander you will have the pleasure of putting into the palm of your hand. It weighs barely a pound and is made with the latest technology...

woodturnerswonders.com

Is this the one you use? The look interesting for sure! Thank you.

I was not thinking a random orbital sander would work on a bowl effectively as one come up against to beads and base forms. What is your experience with the use case for coming up close to the edge of forms with a random orbital sander?

 

[Kevin Jenness]

I was not thinking a random orbital sander would work on a bowl effectively as one come up against to beads and base forms. What is your experience with the use case for coming up close to the edge of forms with a random orbital sander?

Can't be done effectively (by me) with a power sander without smearing the details.

 

[Ron Solfest]

@Michael McNally - yes, that’s the WW I use and like.

You are correct that you can’t get close to crisp changes in a curve with an RO, a drill mandrel does better but still won’t keep crisp transitions. Fortunately the simple curves and designs that I like don’t have those transitions often. When they do I try to cut very cleanly and sand minimally.

 

[john lucas]

Ive been using s standard 3/8" Dewalt corded electric for 20 years. It just wont die. I find the angled drills dont fit my hands very well and I constantly hear about them dying. I bought a second dewalt at a yard sale in case my first one died but it just keeps hanging in there.

 

[Wally Crawford]

I use the WW random orbital as well, but not the one pictured. I use the smaller palm variety. Last time I checked they were out of stock, but now that he is back at the helm of WW they may be available again. Give Ken a call and he will give you straight up info.

 

[Tony Rozendaal]

I ran a air drill for sanding for a few years and ended up going back to an electric drill. The particular air drill I had would not reverse and the air compressor ran a lot and I had to contend with condensation in the air line. I personally am using a Performax® 5-Amp Corded 3/8" Right Angle Drill from Menards. It's OK. I would still be running my last Harbor Freight drill but cannot find brushes for it and have worn the originals out.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Ive been using s standard 3/8" Dewalt corded electric for 20 years. It just wont die. I find the angled drills dont fit my hands very well and I constantly hear about them dying. I bought a second dewalt at a yard sale in case my first one died but it just keeps hanging in there.

Hi John. I've tried a conventional pistol-grip style drill a few times but found the operation somewhat herky-jerky, not very easy to control. The handle, situated at about 90° to the disk, wants to twist out of control. Any advice to share?

I've had a Sorby sander forever, but rarely use it because it just feels light and cheap.

 

[Darryl Fective]

For me, I don't like the high speed and noise of the air tools. I think the best deal out there is the Bauer angled drill form Harbor Fright, especially when they're on sale. I keep 2 of them near the lathe, one with a 2" mandrel and the other with 3 inch. They've fallen off the bed ways, been in piles of dust, but still keep going. If it died today, I'd be OK with it and gladly get another.