Informative, thanks. Your shop floor looks like mine.
I appears as though the Metabo sanding dust is ported out through the back of the handle. Does the unit come with a collection bag?
I try to keep the floor clean, but I turn almost every day... Hard to keep up, lol. Odie, I love the way you hang the drills!! That's my next project!!
You know......we have people around here that won't show us their shop, because it needs to be cleaned up. I don't know why that is. If somebody is going to use that shop, that's just the way it is. We're all in a "brotherhood", of sorts. My shop is a bit messy all the time......and, I'm like everybody else, just don't worry about the usual signs of activity.
(Note: Our woodturning sisters are included in that statement about brotherhood.....as if they didn't already know! Do I really need to point this out! )
I do use interface pads... and don't use a vacuum, I use my dust extraction system...Dennis, thank you. Do you use a softer interface pad for sanding the curved surface of your turnings?
(Note: Our woodturning sisters are included in that statement about brotherhood.....as if they didn't already know! Do I really need to point this out! )
I use the 3M pad in between coats of lacquer, I have to try to use it like you do... Learn something everyday...Here's my main sanding tools... Not a fan of the beer, but old Milwaukee is my choice for angle grinders (and non-wood turning drills, etc...)
I put Abranet in there, because I do fine details by hand from 180-600 grit (that I can't powersand). I have tried most hand sandpaper out there, and I keep coming back to Abranet.
I also included 3M synthetic steel wool, since that's always my last step of sanding...just a quick run over everything at a medium higher RPM. Really brings out a shine and also shows any sanding errors before the bowl comes off the chuck.
You can buy the extra attachment to hook it up to a vacuum. I prefer to use my dust extraction system. I use regular 3 inch hook and loop discs. They sell the one for the metabo, with holes, so you can use the vacuum...I appears as though the Metabo sanding dust is ported out through the back of the handle. Does the unit come with a collection bag?
Does the unit accept standard hook and loop discs or must one use proprietary Metabo brand discs?
I appears as though the Metabo sanding dust is ported out through the back of the handle. Does the unit come with a collection bag?
Does the unit accept standard hook and loop discs or must one use proprietary Metabo brand discs?
My guess is that the machine is a large factor with aluminum oxide - aluminum oxide is durable but not as sharp as silica carbide. Silica carbide lends itself to slower machine sanding with less pressure and also with low pressure hand sanding.
Machines have their place but to have the best machine and not so good sandpaper makes no sense - it's the paper that does the work. And the paper works best when applied evenly - at least for me, I'm much more uniform with hand sanding - never had a burn through
- For sanding wood I like the 3/32 orbital available from Dynabrade or a Chinese version available from Bruce Hoover at the Sanding Glove. I prefer Eagle Abrasives silica carbide which allows lower pressure.
- For orange-peel I use the 3/32 sander 3" or 5" with Eagle "yellow" - it's paper backed which is necessary to flatten (eliminate orange-peel)
- For surfacing after orange-peel removal, I have begun hand sanding with Assilex from Eagle. I can take a clear-coated piece all the way to 3000-grit "dry sanding". A friend took a piece of unfinished oak all the way to 3000 - it is beautiful.
Just got my Metabo. On close inspection the allen screw actually holds the port itself in place. It is not plugged. Since I don't intend useing sandpaper discs with holes, sanding dust will not be an issue.From the factory, the Metabo port has a plug secured with an allen screw. No bag is available, as far as I’ve seen; the port is for a vacuum hose.
One solution that I really like is a large flex shaft tool. I picked up an older version of this
Its basically a large Dremel, but with a 1/2 hp motor.
What I like is:
- the motor is powerful and quiet.
- it accepts a 1/4" bit on the end of the shaft, so there's tons of options.
- has two speeds: 1400 and 9600
The nice part is this will run hard for hours without overheating - an issue I had with the electric hand sanders.
The wand end is very compact so I can get far inside of a piece. Last weekend it allowed me to sand the inside of this piece
http://www.olafvogel.com/uploads/4/7/6/2/47621777/7030052_orig.jpg
Where could never figure out any other solution.
I also have a 90d attachment so I can do larger flat spots.
Olaf, I'm not familiar enough to know. Would I be able to install hex shank chuck in one if these?
Its a normal chuck, 3 teeth / prongs (?), for 1/4" bits. I see no reason why a hex bit of the appropriate size would not fit in there. All you really need it the shaft and a motor to connect it to. There's a few retail versions around (Lee Valley for ex.). The heavier commercial versions are longer and will take more torque. With Either version, you just need to be turning the motor in the right direction. Go backwards and it just winds itself up.
Mark, one solution is http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,130,43409&p=63449
I dont know who makes it, seems rebranded to me. I have one, it works, should meet most needs.
The heavy duty ones are hard to find now. Used to be popular and seemly still are in India. I found mine on eBay. Suhner seems to be the only current manufacturer and their stuff is REALLY expensive. So look for used.
The aircraft mechanics also have some incredible tools, but also awesome prices.
I occasionally use a a right angle drill drive on the end
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-49-22-8510-Right-Angle-Attachment/dp/B000BYEJ02
Very useful as well. The only quibble with this setup is that the drill chuck sits around palm of your hand. So my ghetto solution is a cut up Coke can taped over the rotating parts.
For a motor, use anything of 1/2 hp or more at the speed you like
(in the right direction - don't ask how I found out!
For me that means any old used furnace motor, wired to a light switch box, mounted on the wall.
I wonder if a furnace motor could be adapted to a variable speed controller? I know I don't want to spend a small fortune on a controller, and I'm sure a dimmer switch would just catch on fire in about 5 minutes if it even worked. I don't even know if such a setup would be possible without damaging the motor.
But I bet someone here on this forum knows
That's one of the things I was mulling over; a coupling.
Olaf, on the shaft that you got from Lee Valley, are you using the dust collection capability that it has?
I also have the Milwaukee, and the WW. My favorite is the Makita angle drill, which puts all others to shame.I scored an old style Milwaukee drill sander and it just arrived. Boy what a difference between that and the WW sander! Its heavier but has more torque, the variable speed runs much smoother and is easier to hold at a low speed which make the sanding much better. On top of that its quieter. The WW drill has a high pitched scream that will hurt the ears after a while. I’m happy.
Side note I had noticed the WW unit acting a bit odd, thats why I went looking for the Milwaukee, soon as I put the order in for the Milwaukee the WW quit. Spiteful little thing!