Using bigger sanding drums in a Dremel?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
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I tried making an adapter so I could use the drums that usually have a .250" shaft in my Dremel (usually uses 0.125") but at that speed even a slight shift in balance and the shaft bends.
Anybody else tried this? Is .125" just too small for the added mass of the drum?
 
Not only will you bend your adapters, you will ruin the bearings in your Dremel.
Use a drill press for the larger drums.
Rotary tools are for delicate work.
 
Sand on your milling machine. With a chuck it handles the side loading better than a drill press. You won't get 15000 rpm out of it, but thats life.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Not only will you bend your adapters, you will ruin the bearings in your Dremel.
Use a drill press for the larger drums.
Rotary tools are for delicate work.
Click to expand...

+1 here. Dremels werent made for all that extra load and hard work. Use a press or a milling machine. You could even get pretty into the setup and drill a hole in a board so you can use a larger drum and get the most out of your sandpaper.
 
If you are doing lots of sanding drum work, get an inexpensive router and table and a speed control switch. I use this set up regularly for doing curves in metal bolsters - after hoagging them out with a 60 grit belt - for my folders. Frank
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I will look into that router idea.
I also saw some (Bruce Bump I remember) using bigger drums but I believe it was with Foredom machines, not sure.
 
You need a real die grinder. ebay is your friend...
 
What you can quickly make a mess of with a Dremel can be destroyed INSTANTLY with a die grinder. :D Don't ask me for any details. :(
 
Patrice, The router set up works super !!!! To see some of my folders, go to customknifegallery.com and scroll down on the left hand side.
I got the variable sppeed swich from Busy Bee and the router and table from Canadian Tire. Frank
 
This is what you need.
499817d9-56ba-4a51-9145-b6ec7bcb5a0a_300.jpg
 
Chuck is that an oscilating spindle sander? If so it could be made like one I had and soon wouldn't maintain a corect perpendicular stroke.Frank
 
Patrice Lemée;7948498 said:
I tried making an adapter so I could use the drums that usually have a .250" shaft in my Dremel (usually uses 0.125") but at that speed even a slight shift in balance and the shaft bends.
Anybody else tried this? Is .125" just too small for the added mass of the drum?
Click to expand...

A Rotozip or similar tool will accept .250 shafts (either the changeable collet models or chuck models) and should handle the lateral pressure better than a Dremel. I've put mine through plenty of crap and it's held up fine. The router idea sounds better though.
 
You make some good looking folders Frank. I will definitely look into the router option.

Chuck, I go one of those. I was looking for more control.

R.C. I did not think of a flexshaft for the drill press. That might just be what I was looking for.

I have a rotozip but that sucker spins so fast, scares the heck out of me.

Thanks again guys.
 
Patrice Lemée;7950679 said:
R.C. I did not think of a flexshaft for the drill press. That might just be what I was looking for.
Click to expand...

They make those little variable speed bench grinders with the built in flexshaft which I think are neat. Cheap and multipurpose but don't know what size shafts they take or if they're any good.

I have a rotozip but that sucker spins so fast, scares the heck out of me.
Click to expand...

Yah, looking at mine now I see it only adjusts down to 15,000 RPMs, so yeah that may be a bit fast for a drum. :o;)
 
You can use a standard foot rheostat with the Roto-zip. www.micromark.com has then for $20.
You can also use these with Dremels (even the variable speed models) for much better control.
 
Electric or air die grinder works well, but I prefer flapper wheels instead of drums. An angle head die grinder works relay well with surface conditioning disks too.
 
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