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Poor results from a sanding spindles that doesn't oscillate

2K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  donwilwol 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
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?
 
#3 ·
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.
 
#4 ·
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.
 
#7 ·
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
 
#8 ·
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.
 
#10 ·
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.
 
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