oleranger Posted April 3, 2021 Report Posted April 3, 2021 I’m looking to purchase some new sanding equipment for my intarsia work. Up to now I have been using a dermal tool with flex shaft, but it’s too slow and messy for most pieces. I have done some with a drum sanding unit on a drill press. I have been looking at the Fordom variable speed bench lathe, or maybe a slower speed grinder with a flex drum sander.... what do you folks use.... advise... thanks for you input, I need it... oleranger.... aka Max Quote
Dan Posted April 4, 2021 Report Posted April 4, 2021 A belt sander helps for rough sanding, removes a lot of material where needed. I don't have this but some folks use a pneumatic drum sander which can be used on the lathe. Quote
JimErn Posted April 4, 2021 Report Posted April 4, 2021 I got an 8" grinder like this one. Took off the wheels and replaced them with the sanding drums. I choose 8" so that there was more room between the sanding disk and the work bench as opposed to the 6". https://smile.amazon.com/WEN-4280-Variable-Speed-Grinder/dp/B01M9FVT0W https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0002IXQ4W Roberta Moreton and GrampaJim 2 Quote
Pictures in wood Posted April 4, 2021 Report Posted April 4, 2021 I use two inflatable drums that work great, I picked up two and a stand cheap! new are pricey but money well spent! Jim Finn and amazingkevin 2 Quote
Dave Monk Posted April 6, 2021 Report Posted April 6, 2021 I bought a bench grinder, took the grinding wheels off and use these flex sanders on one side and a drill chuck on the other. Bpardue, Jim Finn and GrampaJim 3 Quote
Zoot Fenster Posted April 7, 2021 Report Posted April 7, 2021 I am new to intarsia, but I like tools and it was a good excuse to buy some more. So what worked and what did not. The Rigid oscillating belt sander with a 60-80 grit belt makes fast work of rough shaping. A Worksharp 3000 platter with 120-220 grit paper flattens small wood pieces that have been cut down. The 700 rpm slow speed is perfect for safely shaping small pieces. It is essential if one must cut and flatten the back side of an intarsia piece. A Delta spindle sander with 1/2 - 3/4" diameter spindle touches up small inside curves. It is the best tool for a light touchup to fit two pieces together. I am moderately satisfied with the Flex Drum setup. The original off-brand grinder motor had oversized shafts and wobble. Luckily, I dropped it on the floor and had to replace it with a Rikon slow speed grinder. Much better quality. I did cut off the shaft threads so that I could mount Klingspor mop sanders. Typically, one side uses 80-120 grit to shape, the other side has a 180 grit flex drum for final shaping and sanding. The Flexdrums are slightly off center and do not run perfectly concentric, but they are quite useable. Would I rather have an 8" pneumatic drum sander? Yep, maybe someday. A 120 grit mop sander nicely rounds sharp edges. A 180 grit mop sander puts a final sand and polish on the pieces. The 320 grit mop sander leaves no noticeable improvement. The 120 grit mop lives in the drill press. I built a Flatmaster sander setup and wish I had spent the extra money for a Sandflee. The Flatmaster is okay, but not great. And I think I could get away without one totally. Dremel 1/4" - 1/2" sanding drums always seem to leave a rough surface, but sometimes there is no choice. Often, I would rather just chisel out the small area. But they are the best choice for light rounded corners when the Flex Drum is too aggressive. I have resisted the purchase of a Foredom bench lathe and drums, but I can see where they would be useful for smaller pieces. My skill level does not justify it yet. Quote
Dave Monk Posted April 8, 2021 Report Posted April 8, 2021 You might give one of these a try. It comes in medium and fine but I like the fine. https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Brite-Fine-Finishing-Sander-9416NA/dp/B00004Z4DK/ref=asc_df_B00004Z4DK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312114876132&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13673178882125161565&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027306&hvtargid=pla-436221069745&psc=1 Roberta Moreton 1 Quote
trailfndr Posted April 8, 2021 Report Posted April 8, 2021 I used the Seyco system https://www.seyco.com/ris-20-heavy-duty-dual-flex-drum-sander-with-stand/ for several years, but last year, I upgraded to the Grizzly Pneumatic Sander https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-drum-flap-sander/g8749 It comes with two different sized drums as well as the Flap sander. I will never use the flap wheel, but I love having pneumatics, makes sanding smooth and easy, allows me to control how soft or hard my drum is which allows smother contouring without flat spots. I also use the https://katools.com/guinevere-minature-finishers/ system for smaller areas and tight spots, and a dremel for the really small areas. preprius and GrampaJim 1 1 Quote
Roberta Moreton Posted April 9, 2021 Report Posted April 9, 2021 On 4/3/2021 at 6:22 PM, oleranger said: I’m looking to purchase some new sanding equipment for my intarsia work. Up to now I have been using a dermal tool with flex shaft, but it’s too slow and messy for most pieces. I have done some with a drum sanding unit on a drill press. I have been looking at the Fordom variable speed bench lathe, or maybe a slower speed grinder with a flex drum sander.... what do you folks use.... advise... thanks for you input, I need it... oleranger.... aka Max I just saw the Fordom bench lathe today. I think I might buy it because of the variable speed. I think that should give more control. Quote
amazingkevin Posted May 18, 2021 Report Posted May 18, 2021 I like having a sheet all around the drum sanders as parts go flying and I don,t want to look for them or make another one. Quote
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