Any better for power turning? *LINK*

Re: Any better for power turning?

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Ron,

IMHO this would work, but it is bigger in the head than the Milwaukee Close Quarters drill.

Email Terry Daniels, he has some Milwaukees for sale for less than this Dewalt goes for.

Mark

Re: Any better for power turning?

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Angle drills are great for power sanding. Last fall I wrote a long survey article discussing nearly all the tools for power sanding and listed pretty much all the then available drills, including the angle drills. It is likely in the archives under my name and something like sanding survey part two, or you can get the back issue from More Woodturning where the article was printed.

I have the Sioux swan neck drill and I generally prefer the angle drills. I find them easier to hold and control. I don't, however, suggest any battery operated drill for cost of operation reasons. Though more expensive at initial purchase, the corded drills are more rugged and will have much lower costs over their life (not to mention, you won't have to deal with keeping batteries charged).

I know of one professional turner who uses a Dewalt angle drill as his main power sanding device, but frankly I think there are better options out there right now. I think what is likely the best of the current angle drills is the new Makita. It has a smaller head, has an LED light, is lighter in weight, and has a higher maximum speed, than most of the others. You can find it on Amazon.

There is also a new angle drill that Packard is selling. I haven't tried this drill yet (kind of want to though), but it looks like it may well be a winner.

Either way, I think angle drills have a lot going for them, but only if you stick with a corded model.

Re: Any better for power turning?

Greg

>Lyn,

Brad (Packard) showed me this new drill they're carrying, and it does seem to be heavy, I think. It's been a few months since I've seen it, but I also think it has a 90 degree head, right? I'm presently looking for a good drill for sanding, so I don't have a lot of hands on experience, but that one to me simply looked too heavy, and I'm not sure about the angle of the head.

Thanks Lyn and Mark

Ron Sardo from PA

>

Re: Any better for power turning?

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>I have only seen photos of the new Sioux 8800ES, so mostly rely on Brad's usually good judgment and the Sioux reputation. The 8800ES is advertised as weighing 3.5 pounds while the more familiar Z neck 8000ES Sioux is advertised as 3.1 pounds, though mine weighs closer to 3.5. These weights are pretty much the same as the more traditional angle drills, with my prefered Makita DA3010F being on the light side at 3.1 pounds.

Of course if you really would prefer light weight, an air sander setup is the way to go.

No offense to Brad, but you can pick up the new 8800ES drill for about 40 dollars less than his price.

Here is what I wrote earlier on the power sanders:

b. Angled Head Electric Drills: Sioux, Milwaukee, (Sioux makes the Milwaukee, but there are minor differences in configuration between the models). These are relatively expensive models and few are going to be happy considering them consumables. Many have found they occasionally require replacement of the bearing on the "tail end" of the motor shaft because the bearing does not run in a pool of grease like the other end near the reduction gears. I have heard reports of as little as 200 to 300 hours of sanding between bearing changes, but my model has seen a lot more use than that without requiring work. Replacement bearings can be obtained from Milwaukee or Sioux, and it might be good to have a spare set on hand. The traditional versions of these tools had a smooth Bakelite housing, current production uses a textured thermoplastic that makes for an easy grip. In the configurations most commonly found, the Sioux and Milwaukee differ little; the Milwaukee is usually found with a top speed of 1300, while the Sioux can be had in both 1300 and 2500 RPM versions. All models are rated at 3.5 amp, .38 hp, and weigh approximately 3.5 pounds. The drills are paddle operated variable speed, which I find somewhat awkward to regulate; both are reversible. You can get either with a quick change chuck, but I find the standard keyed chuck to be preferable as it extends out less from the drill body, allowing greater access inside curved forms. The 55 degree angle of the chuck (I consider it a �duck neck,� Sioux calls it a �Z� neck, Milwaukee calls it a �Close-Quarter�) on the Milwaukee and Sioux work fairly well for sanding inside curved forms, and allow you to get the drill in closer to the surface, making for easier control. Sioux makes a pneumatic version of this style that is almost a pound lighter, more compact and can be obtained in a 1/4 inch chuck version, which should make it even more desirable for internal work. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity of evaluating this tool.

c. Right Angled Drills: DeWalt 160, Makita DA3000R and DA3010F, Hitachi D10YB as examples. Generally 3/8 inch variable speed and reversible. This style seems to have gained relatively little press compared to the duck necked Sioux drills, perhaps because they generally cost even more. Most have only modest top speeds (e.g., approximately 1300 rpm for corded models�only 800 for a cordless), but the new Makita DA3010F has a no load top speed of 2400 rpm and the Hitachi is 2300. Nice about these newer drills is that you can set and lock the speed. Weights are generally in the 3-3.75 pound range. The DeWalt tends to be one of the slowest and heaviest, the new Makita the fastest and lightest and with the least nose projection. The Hitachi is interesting in that it allows for a side handle, which can come in handy for external sanding. I like this style a lot and find the large head and longer body to allow for a wider range of grips, and to be more comfortable than the smaller Sioux. These are generally industrial duty drills and have good life spans.

Re: Any better for power turning?

Greg

>Lynn,

thanks for the excellent info, as usual!