Better than small wheel adapter?

T

Tin.Man

Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
876
I have 2 2x72, as well as a disc sander. Can anyone recommend a tool(foredom, spindle sander etc, something I've never beard before)

To sand small curves inside handles (tomahawks and finger choils Ideally .5 inch and 1.5 inch circles. Even with an added wheel on my small wheel attachment to drop the angle of the belt it still wont quite get inside the curve.

I need something say 220grit to 400/600. Hand sanding works but not my favorite with the stock is .375 thick.

Appreciate any help gents or ideas I haven't thought of.
 
I use either a lone .5-1" drum chucked up in my drill press or a boredom tool.
 
I just put the belt over my top wheel of my platen so the belt uses 3 wheels not 4,and extend out my tooling arm on the platen so it's tight
 
The small wheel adapters for 1/4" to 1" wheels have an idler wheel as well as the small wheel. This is called a Billy-Roll arm. This brings the belt to about 1" apart so the belt angle isn't a problem.
ss-BJ-crv-with-belt.jpg
 
I have never seen that before...neat!
 
Just google/search "Billy Roll Grinder Arm" and you will find them. They usually run $150 area, but anyone mechanical can build one easily.

I'll try and draw a plan later today. It should cost about $30-40 to make one if you already have a small wheel attachment arm.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Just google/search "Billy Roll Grinder Arm" and you will find them. They usually run $150 area, but anyone mechanical can build one easily.

I'll try and draw a plan later today. It should cost about $30-40 to make one if you already have a small wheel attachment arm.
Click to expand...
I may be wrong but I think he already has the added wheel on his small wheel attachment...

"Even with an added wheel on my small wheel attachment to drop the angle of the belt it still wont quite get inside the curve."
 
Yeah, I see that now. I was reading it as talking about the small wheel. Maybe a photo of his small wheel setup and the recess in the blade he is grinding would help.

BTW, the Reader type small wheel attachment can utilize roller wheels, too.
https://reederproducts.com/shop?olsPage=products/small-contact-wheel-attachment

BTW, an oscillating spindle sander does a good job on many curved places.
 
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Stacy - I have never found sanding sleeves with anything but Alum. Oxide grit. S35VN and M390 make short work of those sleeves. Even at Harbor Freight those sleeves are not cheap. Have you found them with a better grit?
 
This is my setup. It makes for a pretty narrow angle around the small wheel. I've seen a similar setup, I think on this forum, with two idler wheels (ie one on each side) making for an even tighter setup.

CErGkAi.jpg
 
The oscillating drum standers really are insufficient. I replaced one of my platen idlers with a 2" contact wheel which helps, but still suffers the angle problem. No small wheel attachment yet - other shop investments are up first.

Thanks for the McMaster tip, Navman.
I've wrapped SC paper on my drums using John April's method with some success, but it can be fiddly.
 
Does anyone have a good oscillating drum stander recommendation? I can see how they could come in really handy in a pinch for a specific part of the handle
 
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