Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Bruce Markwardt

I have had a Makita for about 25 years. Brutalized it. Dropped it on the floor at least 100 times. It still runs like a charm. It's not "compact" but it works.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Cyril Griesbach

El Cheapo from Harbor Freight...also not compact. Had it about 10 years.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

John Veerkamp

garage sale recycles sanding dust can be hard on them. throw away and get another when it dies. brand doesn't matter much to me.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

John K Jordan

Jimmy, I've had the Milwaukee for well over a decade and it works flawlessly. Some have reported bearing issues with both this and clones but I've had none - maybe it helps to blow the dust out occasionally.

That said, I quit using it for sanding a few years ago. I learned to use hand scrapers instead of most sanding on bowls and platters. When I power sand now I use a tiny Grex pneumatic random orbital sander, much gentler on the surface. I think it gives a better surface and does not make clouds of dust. It does require a healthy air compressor.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HFPDJQ

JKJ

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Rogern MO

I use an HF air die grinder, throttled down speed wise. A bit bulky but has worked for several years.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

John C Lucas

Im different than most. I use a standard dewalt drill i bought for $60. I like using 2 hands to control the drill. Its less tiring and i have more control. i learned to sand that way with a cheap drill. I used to burn up the cheap ones about once or twice a year. This one ive had for 15 or so. I tried an angle drill similar to the Milwauki but was too thick and tired my hand out trying to hold it.

I also sand all bad places with he lath off. I use my index pin to lock the chuck in position. Once ive sanded the bad areas the rest can be tou hed up very quickly with the lath on slow speed either by hand or power sand.h

Now days i only power sand the larger bowls. Smaller ones are usually cut clean enough that just a little sanding wit 180 is all thats needed for the few small.areas that need it . I an do that by hand.

I had a similar question just recently *LINK*

JL

I purchased the Neiko 10529A Close quarter drill from Amazon.

It was a close call between that and the Harbor Freight. But I figured the Harbor Freight was the same price ($39.99) and I could order the one from Amazon and get it shipped free if I ordered $9 more. So I did.

It works well.

Here is the url for the Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-close-quarters-drill-with-keyless-chuck-95877.html


Neiko Close quarter drill

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Ric Taylor

I like this one from The Sanding Glove. It is inexpensive, not very heavy and it lasts for several years. With any power sander, be sure to blow out the sanding dust after each use, which will make it last much longer.

I use the keyless model with the Jacobs chuck.

http://thesandingglove.com/Angle-Head-Drills.asp

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

robo hippy

I use the angle drills rather than the right angle drills. Easier to fit inside a bowl. I will get 400 to 500 bowls from a drill before the bearings need to be replaced. You get best cutting action from drill speeds of about 600 rpm or less, and use very light pressure, no more than the weight of the drill at most. The pistol type drills do work, but I have no idea what speeds they run. I have a friend who used the Makita pistol type drills. I had a cheap drill once and it didn't make it a month before the plastic case wore out, not the bearings. I use the Milwaukee and older Sioux drills. I think the cordless drills/screw guns would work better, but they would need to be hard wired because any battery that will last for more than one bowl will be very heavy. Flex shafts can work, but you need about a 1/2 hp motor to run a 3 inch disc for production work, and you need to figure out some sort of holder for the mandrill and disc. 2 inch discs are not as much of a problem with them though. Some one needs to make an angle grinder that runs at about 600 rpm. Drills just don't have a strong enough bearing set up...

robo hippy

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

David Walser

...I tried an angle drill similar to the Milwauki but was too thick and tired my hand out trying to hold it. ...

John -- That's a common complaint with the angle drills. A fix that works for many people is to use a rubber band to hold down the trigger. That way, your hand doesn't need to completely enclose the drill and you can change your grip from time to time to reduce fatigue. This approach worked for me.

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, I quit using angle drills because they wore out so quickly. But, that was when I had just started turning. Back then, I used my "80 grit gouge" do a lot of shaping (in addition to sanding), and my dust collection system wasn't as good as it is today. So, I expect one of these drills would last me longer today than they did in the past.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

bill tucker

Consider leasing a right angle drill with different sanding pads. I say leasing because good old Harbor Freight will run them on sale for $30 or so, add the 2 year extended warranty for $10 and you have a 2 year lease for $40. Just keep the receipt and when it craps out, take it in with the old drill and get a new one.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Jimmy Edwards

Thanks for all the many replies. Guess I'll keep shopping and surfing

I agree with Mr. Lucas (either of him)

Barry Irby

I had a Dewalt regular pistol grip drill I grew to hate. (It had a crappy keyless chuck.) I had about ten sanding pads with the quick release hex shafts on them and put the diver for them in the drill more or less permanently. Could unsnap and change grits in a second. Tried my best to kill that hated drill. It would not die. On the rare occasion I used and angle drill on a friend's lathe I found it to be awkward and cumbersome.

Like John, I used two hands and had better control and less fatigue. I clamped the dust collector hose into the banjo and then played games sanding. I could direct the stream of dust into the suction. I could leave the lathe off and free wheeling and spin the bowl with the disk, or make it sit still and work on a spot.

I finally killed the drill working on a house. I felt badly about killing my old nemesis and gave some thought to fixing it. Not much thought.

Re:  Compact right angle drill for power sanding?

Ralph Lindberg

I also use the HF angle-drill, I use their frequent 20% off coupons to push price even lower.