Following on from David's post (#4), does anyone know is someone makes a flat surface support that would fit in the lathe banjo?

I used to have a Shopsmith and the disc sander was one of the most used tools for me, so I can see how this might work.

There are also lots of YouTube videos showing disc sanders, being made for wood lathes, using a faceplate and MDF.

I've been looking at the 12" Rikon Disc Sander ($250-$300), but I think I'll try the DIY approach first, plus it's one less tool to find space for.

I also do segmented bowls. With my cheap homemade Wedgie Sled, the only real area of sanding is running a glued up ring through my drum sander to make sure it's perfectly flat, on both sides, before glueing the rings together.