Got any tricks for sanding the *inside* of a large tube?

[cvanc]

Hi troops-

I've got a nice efficient way to sand the outside of pretty much any diameter tube. So naturally right now that isn't what I need to do LOL.

I need to sand the I.D. of a 6" diameter 6" long AV bay switchband. Doing it by hand is gonna be real tedious. Do any of you have good tricks for sanding the beejezus out of the inside of a tube? Thanks.

 

[blackbrandt]

I know this isn't much help, but I will have to say that the first thing I thought of was this:



(Troj's son, for the Delta III project)







OK, now, seriously, I would say "Do you have a Dremel?"

Then I would take the carbide wheel, and just make a ton of scratches on the inside of the switch band. Other people probably have better ideas, but that is what I thought of.

 

[G_T]

Flap sander and a drill.

Gerald

 

[hornet driver]

If it's already semi smooth--no real big knots and such--a cylinder honing tool will work on the end of a drill. It's pretty fine but will work. If your sanding on something none pourous--glass etc--you can use water as a sandind lube. Any good auto parts store should carry them. They are spring loaded so they keep constant preasure on the inner walls. ---H

 

[mikemech]

Gerald has it right. Flap sanders come in many diameters and grits. Drill extenders are also out there if you need one. You might be able to train a squirrel...?
What is your "nice efficient way to sand the outside of pretty much any diameter tube."?

Mike

 

[blackbrandt]

Another thing:



Paint stripper that goes in a drill.

 

[fyrwrxz]

If it's glass or carbon-a ball cylinder hone:
(sorry-won't load pic)

 

[cvanc]

Gerald has it right. Flap sanders come in many diameters and grits. Drill extenders are also out there if you need one. You might be able to train a squirrel...?
What is your "nice efficient way to sand the outside of pretty much any diameter tube."?

Mike

This. I spin 'em in a drill press and just hold a sheet of sandpaper up against them. Works very well.

 

[cvanc]

If it's already semi smooth--no real big knots and such--a cylinder honing tool will work on the end of a drill. It's pretty fine but will work. If your sanding on something none pourous--glass etc--you can use water as a sandind lube. Any good auto parts store should carry them. They are spring loaded so they keep constant preasure on the inner walls. ---H

Thanks Hornet Driver, do you mean something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLEX-HONE-...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac175f972

 

[Sooner Boomer]

Thanks Hornet Driver, do you mean something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLEX-HONE-...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac175f972

View attachment 123737

That's a ball hone. It might work. This is a cylinder hone...

 

[Hardline]

These all suspiciously look like power tools....I will be starting my Super Jart project soon and was getting concerned about how much sanding was involved. I wonder if I can get Wayco to let me use the Drill Press?

 

[mikemech]

The ball and cylinder hones may be a little strong for FG. They are designed for cast iron.

Mike (Retired mechanic)

 

[JP Morgan]

Maybe glue your sandpaper to some tubing, say from you local sign shop. They usually have paper tubes anywhere
from 3"-4" diameter tubing. Usually 15" - 24" and even longer.

JP

 

[gpoehlein]

Maybe glue your sandpaper to some tubing, say from you local sign shop. They usually have paper tubes anywhere
from 3"-4" diameter tubing. Usually 15" - 24" and even longer.

JP

That's what I'd do - find a length of tubing that is just a bit smaller than the inside diameter of your tube, glue a piece of sandpaper around the outside of it and sand away.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

The ball and cylinder hones may be a little strong for FG. They are designed for cast iron.

Mike (Retired mechanic)

They tend to clog with composites.

 

[troj]

I just picked up one of these at the local hardware store.

Seemed to work pretty well.

-Kevin

 

[Steve Shannon]

Hi troops-

I've got a nice efficient way to sand the outside of pretty much any diameter tube. So naturally right now that isn't what I need to do LOL.

I need to sand the I.D. of a 6" diameter 6" long AV bay switchband. Doing it by hand is gonna be real tedious. Do any of you have good tricks for sanding the beejezus out of the inside of a tube? Thanks.

Well, if you have a real efficient way of sanding the OD of a tube, why don't you sand the OD of the tube the switchband is going to fit. How much has to come off?
For IDs I use a drum sander on a drill press and keep the tube moving.

 

[cvanc]

Well, if you have a real efficient way of sanding the OD of a tube, why don't you sand the OD of the tube the switchband is going to fit.

I already did. I've got the coupler (the actual AV bay) fitting the upper and lower body tube sections just fine. Everything fits everything else, except the switchband. So the switchband is the thing that's gotta change.

Thanks everybody for the ideas. I did not realize you could get flap sanders and such in 6 inch sizes. I have 2 or 3 floating around here but they're all 4". I'll hit the usual local emporiums for one of those.

 

[cvanc]

McMaster-Carr to the rescue! (as usual LOL)

I've ordered a 6" diameter x 3" wide flap sanding wheel (80 grit) & the adapters needed to mount it in my drill press. Should make short work of things. Thanks everyone for the ideas!

(I was really intrigued by that ball hone)