I rigged up a home-built sandling spindle on my drill press. At first I thought it would be a satisfactory stand-in for a spindle sander. However, after using it a bit I found that it left significant scratches in the direction of sanding even with high grits such as 220 and 320. The spindle diameter was 3/4" and I ran it about 1800 rpm. Even with a very light touch and moving the work a bit up and down I got much deeper scratch marks than I was happy with. Is that an indication that the spindle needs softer padding? Any other suggestions? Or do I really need to spring for an oscillating spindle sander?
The objectionable scratches are deeper and more widely spaced than what one would expect from the grit that I'm using. For example, I had 220 grit on the spindle, but to sand out the scratches by hand I needed to go to 100 grit. I had 320 on the spindle and had to go to 150 grit to get those out. And the scratches are spaced nominally 1mm apart.
I had exactly the same experience as you when I did the drillpress/drum sander route plus my paper seemed to load up REALLY fast. I went to Harbor Freight [gasp], bought their oss for less than $100 and have been really happy with it for over a year.
I can't answer your original question because I've never used the drill press/drum sander but I recently bought the HF OSS and it works great. I've only used 80 grit on it so far and am amazed at the good finish. Less than $100 on sale.
Your sandpaper is loading up because you are using only a small part of it and it gets HOT. Resin sticks causing dust to stick, and it cooks into a rock-hard mass that will scratch anything it touches. A OSS avoids that by moving up and down allowing more paper to be used and to cool. I too have the HF oss, paid $80 for it and am thrilled. Used it last on cherry, and no blemishes or burns. Get one.
Steve - When I am sanding the entire width of a 9" panel is in contact spindle that is 10" long, so I'm actually using the whole spindle, kinda like a mini drum sander. I am sanding the end grain of a raised panel. I didn't notice the sandpaper loading up much, but I didn't check too closely for that. I was using very light pressure and it started on the first panel after changing the paper.
Karl - IDK why a slightliy higher RPM would work, but that is easy enough to try.
Yeah, a spindle sander is probably in my future. So far I've been able to stick to my New Year's resolution - no new power tools. Last year was a big year for that category. I'm looking at the HF OSS and the Rigid belt/spindle sander, but for now I'm waiting for the after XMas sales.
I don't know what causes it, but I used to have the same problem with a drill press mounted spindle sander. Then I bought my Ridgid spidle/belt sander combo have had no more problems. I don't know how I ever lived without that thing.
Since the oscillation is what helps to remove the sanding marks here's a trick that might help without buying a new sander right away. http://www.youtube.com/user/noho91#p/a/u/2/gd_fU8jIZak
Its a thought to try, but if your as coordinated as I am its easier to buy an oscillating sander for around $100. I bought a Wilton for around that much.
i have the same setup as William and can echo his comments. I am using it constantly.
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