Small electric sander?

Is there a small hand held electic sander that you guys could recomend. I want one for sanding body tube spirals and balsa fins so nothing real powerful. My hands cramp up badly within minutes of sanding with sand paper.

If your hands cramp holding a vibrating sander might exacerbate the problem. I would suggest a small bench belt/disk sander.

Here's an inexpensive example:
https://a.co/4FJknym



Steve Shannon

Steve Shannon said:

If your hands cramp holding a vibrating sander might exacerbate the problem. I would suggest a small bench belt/disk sander.

Here's an inexpensive example:
https://a.co/4FJknymbo

Steve Shannon

Click to expand...

That particular sander is a belt only, and is a lot less expensive from Harbor Freight. I have one, but recently replaced it with a 1" belt/5" disk combo Rikon sander.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-x-30-in-belt-sander-61728.html

https://www.rockler.com/rikon-50-151-1-x-30-belt-sander-5-disc-sander

For a small handheld sander, I have a Craftsman NexTec multi-tool that has several sanding attachments. I really like it, but it might be difficult for you to hold. Home Depot has several cordless handheld sanders.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-nex...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

https://www.homedepot.com/s/cordless%20sander?NCNI-5

qquake2k said:

That particular sander is a belt only, and is a lot less expensive from Harbor Freight. I have one, but recently replaced it with a 1" belt/5" disk combo Rikon sander.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-x-30-in-belt-sander-61728.html

https://www.rockler.com/rikon-50-151-1-x-30-belt-sander-5-disc-sander

For a small handheld sander, I have a Craftsman NexTec multi-tool that has several sanding attachments. I really like it, but it might be difficult for you to hold. Home Depot has several cordless handheld sanders.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-nex...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

https://www.homedepot.com/s/cordless%20sander?NCNI-5

Click to expand...

Thanks for catching that. I have an older one from Dremel, but if I were to do it again I'd get something bigger.


Steve Shannon

Steve Shannon said:

Thanks for catching that. I have an older one from Dremel, but if I were to do it again I'd get something bigger.

Steve Shannon

Click to expand...

I have a big stationary sander. But the 1" is very handy.

something I do that makes sanding body tubes quick and easy is using sandpaper that comes on rolls.

https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-stikit-gold-sheet-2-34-sandpaper-rolls-p-11340.aspx

tear off about 16 or so inches, put the bt in a cradle and use it in the fashion the gut in this video is using it at about the 20 second mark. both ideas he has are pretty good.

[video=youtube;fh6YIvFLa2g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh6YIvFLa2g[/video]

I also do this with 9 by 11 sheets for smaller diameter body tubes- cut about a 2" strip and put duct tape on the back. years ago I made some blocks to put on both ends of the sandpaper. made it easier to grasp and use

for sanding the fins, ya may want to look at at a detail sander/multi tool

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-0-4-Amp-Corded-2-7-8-in-Detail-Sander-DS1200/206354298

I see your a new member, Welcome to the Forum!
I use the exact same rolls as tomsteve above.
I have a 18" long, 8" wide piece of melamine coated particle board I stick different grits to.
I sand all my tubes and fins on that. You just turn the tube as you do a criss cross action.
This may not be solving your cramping hands problem though.
But I can tell you from experience, a vibrating sander will make you cramp up faster.
You should see you doctor about it. There may be a more serious underlying problem causing this.
One of them oscillating tools are nice. They can cut slots in tubes for TTW fins real easy.
Also can be used for cutting off tubes, nice for fiber glass and carbon fiber tubes.
Also cutting out fins. If I had the money, I'd buy a Fein.
Just make sure you get a variable speed tool, either the oscillating or hand held sander so you have greater control.

Spanky said:

Is there a small hand held electic sander that you guys could recomend. I want one for sanding body tube spirals and balsa fins so nothing real powerful. My hands cramp up badly within minutes of sanding with sand paper.

Click to expand...

Here is one I found but be warned, it is from Micromark and therefore expensive.
https://www.micromark.com/Micro-Sander

I was very reluctant to buy it because of its price tag but I have been very impressed with it. It is very high quality. The replacement heads can go into a lot of places that fingertips cannot. The head only oscillates back and forth, not in a rotary motion, but with the rounded rod head, the rod goes back and forth. It is great for small fillets!

Eyesinthesky said:

Here is one I found but be warned, it is from Micromark and therefore expensive.
https://www.micromark.com/Micro-Sander

I was very reluctant to buy it because of its price tag but I have been very impressed with it. It is very high quality. The replacement heads can go into a lot of places that fingertips cannot. The head only oscillates back and forth, not in a rotary motion, but with the rounded rod head, the rod goes back and forth. It is great for small fillets!

Click to expand...

It surprises me that it is not a variable speed.

For a similar price, get yourself a disc/belt sander. The disc sander will come in handy when you get into sanding down rings or beveling. Here's a decent one for $75.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HRL9YI8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Woody's Workshop said:

It surprises me that it is not a variable speed.

Click to expand...

I haven't noticed the need for one but for about $20 I'm sure a router speed control from HF would work fine.
https://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html
I use it on my Dremel tool all the time.

Someone posted recently about turning a dollar store vibrating toothbrush into a micro mini sander. Looked intriguing.

See here:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?139369-Micro-Sander-fr-Toothbrush