Originally Posted by
Reed Gray
I used to keep a loose count of bowls sanded before the drill failed. First of all, they are drills, not grinders, and we use them as grinders. I can't tell that the dust does any thing serious for wear, especially if the bearings are 'double shielded' rather than 'shielded'. I used to get 300 plus bowls per rebuild. I started sanding at low speeds, never more than half a trigger pull, and with very light pressure, which lets the abrasives cut far better than they do if you are sanding at high speeds. I almost always use 3 inch discs. The bowl count went up to 450 or so. I have replaced the cases on all of them at least once. I had one cheap knock off brand, and it didn't last a month before the case failed. Looking for some thing better, but thinking a flex shaft would be the way to go. The Fordham set up can take 3 inch discs, but don't think they would be pushing the limits with 3 inch discs, even with their larger motor, and it would be good to be able to run 5 or so inch discs... One like Olaf has would be a bit of overkill, but I don't think I could wear that one out before my birth certificate expires...
robo hippy
i too have thought about the flex shaft. For not much more than a Milwaukee drill one could get a 3 phase with controller. The flex shaft isn't cheap so total will be over $200. The three phase would give variable speed. Perhaps a foot switch to turn off and on.
Member Illiana Woodturners