Contour sanding w/ a drill press

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BChou-E29

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Dec 4, 2009
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Hey guys. Seeing as how they dont make a small wheel attachment for the craftsman 2x42", is there any way to utilize a drill press for contour sanding? I was thinking I could chuck up some die grinding stones into my press but seeing as how its designed to sustain vertical pressure would the lateral force be harmful? Thanks guys
 
Before I got a small wheel on my kmg, I did all my fine contours with a half round file followed by hand sanding. I do think you can get sandpaper drums at home depot, though I wouldn't use too much sideways pressure on your drillpress. I personally think files and paper are nearly as fast....
 
The lateral force will wear the bearings much faster than drilling. A cheap HF drill press is the ticket if you need one for side-cutting tasks, so your main drill press stays tight. A hand-held drill works also although it is not as easy to be precise.

You can buy sanding drums and sleeves at many hardware stores but I have yet to find sleeves with a good-quality abrasive for grinding metal. Before I got a grinder with a small wheel I used an angle grinder and files when I needed to cut a small inside radius, then use the sanding drums in a hand drill to finish it up. Trying to take all the metal off with the drums did not seem effective to me at all, the abrasive just wasn't up to it.
 
I use a 3/8 wood dowell that I made a cut down the middle. Chuck it into your drill press on the slowest speed. Slide a piece of your favorite sandpaper in the slot and let 'er rip. Would work better with a steel rod, I suspect.
 
I think I'll stick with files then. I just don't have space for another press but I'll have to try out the hand drill method. Thanks for the replies guys.
 
jkf96a said:
I use a 3/8 wood dowell that I made a cut down the middle. Chuck it into your drill press on the slowest speed. Slide a piece of your favorite sandpaper in the slot and let 'er rip. Would work better with a steel rod, I suspect.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing for a lot of finishing tasks, except just use duct tape to attach the sandpaper instead of slitting the dowel. Again, I do the vast majority with a handheld drill to save the bearings on my drill press but honestly a small HF press probably costs about the same as my handheld drill.
 
how about a Dremel? ahhh.. i was in your shoes not too long ago. Nice to have a KMG now....
 
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