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I finally made myself something that I have been wanting for a long time: a stationary vibrating 1/2 sheet pad sander. It was inspired by Doug Stowe's version, which is apparently just a sander sitting on a half-inflated wheel barrel inner tube.

Simple but effective… gotta love it. Very Doug Stowe.

But I just can't help trying to improve on any design. So I came up with this idea for a box that the sander would sit in, which would, of course, include the dust port to suck out all the sawdust.

Integrated dust collection… gotta love it. Very Blake.

(If you know me at all, you know that every tool gets a dust port in my shop.)

The box will just be held fast in my vice, and then stored easily under the bench. It works beautifully and I highly recommend this design.

For those interested in the full story, read on…

I have a mini production run of small boxes in the works for Christmas presents. They all need quite a bit of sanding. I had been wanting to make one of these so today I finally splurged and spent a whopping $8 on an old Craftsman half sheet sander at the Used Tool Store, where I work.

I built the box and the original version had an inside shelf which was just the right size for the base of the sander to rest on (it sort-of wrapped around the midriff of the sander). I made sure that this shelf was well padded to cushion the whole thing from vibration.

Well, this didn't work. The sander made the box, the bench, the floor, the walls, the cabinets, and the mice living in the cabinets all vibrate like crazy.

So I ripped out the shelf and installed two pieces of rubber to cradle the sander. This design was much simpler and much more effective. The rubber straps were temporarily held in place with carpet tape and then sandwiched down by the top piece of the box.

Now the mice can sleep peacefully.

I epoxied a hose coupler into a hole on one side of the box to connect to my shop vac. The opening around the sander is perfect to create enough suction to make it dust free.

I think this will be one of my favorite new tools. It's just right for "softening" edges of small projects.

Gallery

Comments

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looks like it is a success!

Well done. Lucky Mice
 

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Looks pretty good, does the sander stay in its cradle OK?
 

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9,848 Posts
cool idea. good place for the ole sander
 

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Yep, very Blake. I'm glad the mice got to go back to sleep. Good luck with it.
 

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2,000 Posts
It's handy to work in a used tool store! Great idea, Blake!
 

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Sample snippet from my to-do list: Make sure every tool has a dust port-very Blake…

Nice job!
 

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But, but, but if the motor housing is allowed to move freely on rubber straps, then how does the sander do its oscillations and orbits? I too have clamped my sander into a vise and shook the china all the way to the neighbors house, and it did work, and I'll do it again…how well does this unit work? Maybe I'll have to try it to see for myself. I like the dust collection idea too. Then, by using "transformer" technology, I'll make it into a toaster too! LOL!
 

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262 Posts
Cool. I tried the clamping method and broke my sander. O well.
 

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Hey, this is neat ~ I'm going to post it on Toologics.com and link back to your project.
hopefully it will generate more traffic to Lumberjocks.
 

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Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Dadoo, It works perfectly. Dust free, vibration free pad sanding.
 

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2,185 Posts
I still have one of those sanders. A nice option on it is to do both orbit and straight motions. The straight is great for the final pass. The orbit is not random, but still does an OK job. (At least on mine.)
 

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Nice job. Hadn't thought of a cradle. I've clamped mine in a Workmate and it's done well.
 

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I'll have to see if I can hang my square pad sander, it doesn't have any wide shoulders like yours.

Maybe bungee cords would work.
 

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1,429 Posts
Blake, A great idea. I to may have to gve this a try with a unit I just received.

CtL
 

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9,145 Posts
Great idea Blake. Nice job.
 

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Nice job Blake - Doug would be proud.
 

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OK…I'm gonna try it someday.
 

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neat-o
 

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Blake I love your idea, I may have to make one myself. I also like that front vise you have. Probably because I have the same one. Snap a few pics of how you mounted yours for me when you get a chance - I would appreciate it greatly.
Thanks,
 
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