help needed to make a spindle sander - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

jim_mex · 10-14-2009, 03:28 AM

Hi Folks - I've been searching all around my my home town and the big city near by for a spindle sander and have had no luck so I thought I'd maybe make one. First off I have a couple of questions....

1) What would be a good speed to the run the spindles at ? I am thinking of driving a separate shaft via band and pulleys so I can hold the spindles in a standard drill chuck. As such it would be easy to run two or three speeds if required.

2) Any ideas as to how I could best make my own sanding spindles. Note that I'm really looking for small diameter ones (1" diam and lower) because the main use for this would be to rectify off-vertical intarsia pieces

Looking forward to hearing what you inventive types can come up with

Thanks in advance

Chris "The Wood Artist" · 10-14-2009, 03:52 AM

Jim, I took one of my old cheap scroll saws that had broke and made a table for the motor and made an spindle sander out of. The reason I gave so much detail is so you would get the idea of the speed control. I have variable speed. The only thing I don't have is an oscalating one. Though I haven't needed it yet. It works great. As far as the sanding pieces I made that also, I used round drill sanding attachments and also made a couple larger ones on the lathe and glue sandpaper to them with temporary spray. Hope this helps. I'd post blue prints on the one I built except I don't have one, I designed it as I went. I've heard of people using old washing machine motors also, though I don't think it has variable speed. I like being able to control the speed so I can do fragile pieces.

evilbadger · 10-14-2009, 03:58 AM

Jim

It sounds like you are not looking for oscillating spindle so then it is really just a drum sander check out this link they sell spindles and sleeves you can chuck in the drill. I will have to take a look at my Jet OSS and check the RPM for you. Almost for got the link Welcome to Supergrit.com
I'm sure others will post some ideas too.

Wood Dog · 10-14-2009, 04:06 AM

Will this help
How to Build a Spindle Sander | Content for Reprint

or maybe this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS2NWsaJD1w

DWSudekum · 10-14-2009, 04:11 AM

Jim,

One could use a router with a speed adjust dial and a drum sander in the chuck to get the same features .. minus the up and down of a true spindel sander. As for speed I would not go faster than about 1k rpm other wise the paper will tend to clog.

DW

jim_mex · 10-14-2009, 05:08 AM

Chris - I like the idea of using a variable speed motor as it would be more convenient than using variable pulleys. You've given me a couple of ideas to mull over

Tim - I'm trying to avoid purchasing anything from the US but I'll keep your link in mind if i come unstuck - thanks. If you can find time I'd certainly appreciate those speeds to make sure I'm in the right ball park

WD - that first article has some good info. As for the video - now that is one really inventive guy! but I think for now I'll pass on the oscillation but I do have another question - can anyone tell me how much up and down travel an oscillating spindle normally has?

DW - The router is something I hadn't thought of. I'll have to check how slow my variable speed one will run - Thanks for the suggestion

Ok -I reckon I'm now back on track - appreciate the quick responses
Thanks to all

Hobbyhorse · 10-14-2009, 06:14 AM

Jim the vertical movement on my sander is 3/4" and the rpm is 1420.

Rhys

jim_mex · 10-14-2009, 02:19 PM

Morning Rhys - thanks for the info. I think I now have almost the last piece in the puzzle. The good news is my wife mentioned yesterday that she seriously needs a new washing machine as our one is starting to show signs of age. The good news is the one we have has got a decent variable speed motor in it so I'm now looking for a way to encourage its demise - secretly of course!

aceofspades0990 · 10-14-2009, 06:02 PM

what i did was took a dermal sander piece and hooked to my drill press

Hobbyhorse · 10-14-2009, 06:36 PM

Jim your secret is safe with us!!

10-14-2009, 03:28 AM	#1
jim_mex 'Senior' member - no way! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pachuca, Mexico Posts: 1,788	help needed to make a spindle sander Hi Folks - I've been searching all around my my home town and the big city near by for a spindle sander and have had no luck so I thought I'd maybe make one. First off I have a couple of questions.... 1) What would be a good speed to the run the spindles at ? I am thinking of driving a separate shaft via band and pulleys so I can hold the spindles in a standard drill chuck. As such it would be easy to run two or three speeds if required. 2) Any ideas as to how I could best make my own sanding spindles. Note that I'm really looking for small diameter ones (1" diam and lower) because the main use for this would be to rectify off-vertical intarsia pieces Looking forward to hearing what you inventive types can come up with Thanks in advance __________________ Jim in Mexico “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” -Albert Einstein

10-14-2009, 03:52 AM	#2
Chris "The Wood Artist" Craftsman & Designer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Smith, AR USA Posts: 218	Jim, I took one of my old cheap scroll saws that had broke and made a table for the motor and made an spindle sander out of. The reason I gave so much detail is so you would get the idea of the speed control. I have variable speed. The only thing I don't have is an oscalating one. Though I haven't needed it yet. It works great. As far as the sanding pieces I made that also, I used round drill sanding attachments and also made a couple larger ones on the lathe and glue sandpaper to them with temporary spray. Hope this helps. I'd post blue prints on the one I built except I don't have one, I designed it as I went. I've heard of people using old washing machine motors also, though I don't think it has variable speed. I like being able to control the speed so I can do fragile pieces. __________________ Chris The Wood Artist "Keep Scrolling Along" Free Patterns: www.myspace.com/_woodartist_ and http://thewoodartist.blogspot.com/

10-14-2009, 03:58 AM	#3
evilbadger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 314	Jim It sounds like you are not looking for oscillating spindle so then it is really just a drum sander check out this link they sell spindles and sleeves you can chuck in the drill. I will have to take a look at my Jet OSS and check the RPM for you. Almost for got the link Welcome to Supergrit.com I'm sure others will post some ideas too. __________________ Tim "Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same." - -- Oscar Wilde

10-14-2009, 04:06 AM	#4
Wood Dog Senior member--Absolutely Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 3,448	Will this help How to Build a Spindle Sander \| Content for Reprint or maybe this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS2NWsaJD1w __________________ WD

10-14-2009, 05:08 AM	#6
jim_mex 'Senior' member - no way! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pachuca, Mexico Posts: 1,788	Chris - I like the idea of using a variable speed motor as it would be more convenient than using variable pulleys. You've given me a couple of ideas to mull over Tim - I'm trying to avoid purchasing anything from the US but I'll keep your link in mind if i come unstuck - thanks. If you can find time I'd certainly appreciate those speeds to make sure I'm in the right ball park WD - that first article has some good info. As for the video - now that is one really inventive guy! but I think for now I'll pass on the oscillation but I do have another question - can anyone tell me how much up and down travel an oscillating spindle normally has? DW - The router is something I hadn't thought of. I'll have to check how slow my variable speed one will run - Thanks for the suggestion Ok -I reckon I'm now back on track - appreciate the quick responses Thanks to all __________________ Jim in Mexico “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” -Albert Einstein

10-14-2009, 04:11 AM	#5
DWSudekum Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 254	Jim, One could use a router with a speed adjust dial and a drum sander in the chuck to get the same features .. minus the up and down of a true spindel sander. As for speed I would not go faster than about 1k rpm other wise the paper will tend to clog. DW

10-14-2009, 06:14 AM	#7
Hobbyhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 294	Jim the vertical movement on my sander is 3/4" and the rpm is 1420. Rhys

10-14-2009, 02:19 PM	#8
jim_mex 'Senior' member - no way! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pachuca, Mexico Posts: 1,788	Morning Rhys - thanks for the info. I think I now have almost the last piece in the puzzle. The good news is my wife mentioned yesterday that she seriously needs a new washing machine as our one is starting to show signs of age. The good news is the one we have has got a decent variable speed motor in it so I'm now looking for a way to encourage its demise - secretly of course! __________________ Jim in Mexico “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” -Albert Einstein

10-14-2009, 06:02 PM	#9
aceofspades0990 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 50	what i did was took a dermal sander piece and hooked to my drill press

10-14-2009, 06:36 PM	#10
Hobbyhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 294	Jim your secret is safe with us!!

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