Sanding drums or rotary files?

trentu

trentu

Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Messages
1,120
I have been going through 1",1.5" and 2" sanding drums like water. I use them to clean up the handle and finger guard curves on my WSK knives. Does anyone know of a good rotary file that works well on metal or maybe someone that sells good sanding drums for metal work? Thanks guys!!
 
Very good question. One thing I've thought about using would be different size dowel rods with wet/dry sand paper since the sanding drums I can find seem to wear out so quick.

Charles
 
Google search the following

carbide rotary files or diamond cut rotary files

There are a variety of sizes available. I use the 1/8 inch carbides with a 1/8 inch shank for folders and fixed blades on my dremmel router table and they work great. I just set the height of the bit so the smooth part of the shoulder on the bit rubs against the metal and this will allow only the scales to be shaped for a perfect fit. The bits will also cut the bolster material but just need to take it slower as not to burn up a good dremel or break the bit.

Hope this helps.
 
This may be heresy, but have you tried the "old tech" approach? I often use a (synthetic) stone $30 bench grinder for small tasks. We have a whole milk crate full of old wheels of varying grits & sizes, and you can also round off the corners to use the width rather than the diameter. In fact I keep an old motor mounted with a used chop saw blade, to use like a bench grinder with a wheel only 1/8" or so thick, which is very handy to get in tight spots, or basically any place you might need a chainsaw file.
 
trentu said:
I have been going through 1",1.5" and 2" sanding drums like water. I use them to clean up the handle and finger guard curves on my WSK knives. Does anyone know of a good rotary file that works well on metal or maybe someone that sells good sanding drums for metal work? Thanks guys!!
Click to expand...

I get mine (4 1/2" long sanding drums) from McMaster Carr.

I too go through them like water. I use mostly the 3/4" and 1" dia. ones on my spindle sander for finger grooves, choils, etc.
 
Carbide rotary files work good.
For finger grooves, I just put a small wheel arm on the Bader and use a 3/4" wheel.
Stacy
 
I find that using my belt cleaning bar on the drums keeps them working a little longer when sanding handle material. I have a set of drums up to 2" that I use with a flex shaft rotary tool. I only use them for clean up though and can't get finer than 150g, so still finish by hand. The belt cleaner prolongs their life quite a bit.

The other thing I have seen, but not tried, are the spindle sander bobbins designed to take abrasive strips rather than pre-formed cylinders.

Like this:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Carroll-Drum-Sander-21816.htm

That way you could possibly even use old grinder belts, and go to finer grits too.
 
As Stacy mentioned, the small wheel attachment for the 2x72 grinder is by far the most efficient tool for the job. I quit using small drum sanders long ago.
 
sunfishman said:
As Stacy mentioned, the small wheel attachment for the 2x72 grinder is by far the most efficient tool for the job. I quit using small drum sanders long ago.
Click to expand...

Yep...what you and Stacy said. :thumbup: This is the way to go since it is more effecient, less wear and tear on the abrasive, etc.

Gotta get little wheels for the grinders :)
 
Rob's edge grinder modded for 72" inch belts looks like it would work quite well. The problem i have with the small wheel attachment is that it is freehand grinding hell and that's not good for a newbie like me...lol
 
I have a "Double Billy Roll" attachment for my Bader III. I use 1" and 1/2" wheels that work great for me. I can use anywhere from 40 grit to 600 grit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top