sanding

[Marcros]

This may be a silly question, but does anybody use power sanding on pens?

 

[WriteON]

Not a silly question.. I don't. Not necessary for a pen blank. If I wanted to mass produce pens I'd buy a CNC lathe... would turn and sand...but that takes the fun & craft out of it.
How would power sanding by applied?

 

[JimB]

I power sand bowls but I've never done it on any small Spindle turnings.

 

[gtriever]

I consider it 'power sanding' if you're sanding with the lathe turned on. And, I admit, I've used a coarse grit before at high speed to do some shaping... :redface:

 

[KenV]

Yes, but with the very very small sanding rounds or polishing bobs about the size of a pencil eraser. And then not unless there is a need to address issues with specific locations.
Foredom handpiece to provide the power.

I also use a 2 inch disc holder in a collet chuck to sand and polish ends of seam rippers crochet hooks and pen center bands.

 

[tomtedesco]

I consider it 'power sanding' if you're sanding with the lathe turned on. And, I admit, I've used a coarse grit before at high speed to do some shaping... :redface:

Me too.

 

[Marcros]

I consider it 'power sanding' if you're sanding with the lathe turned on. And, I admit, I've used a coarse grit before at high speed to do some shaping... :redface:

Me too.

I was referring to sanding with the lathe spinning, whilst using an arbour on a drill to sand with. the drill is also running.

The idea is that you don't get radial scratches

 

[frank123]

Why not try it?

Anything that works is fine, particularly if it works better.

You don't find out till you try.

I do wonder if, especially with the coarser grits, it would be easy to gouge the blank and ruin it. A variable speed Dremmel type tool might be easier to control.

 

[Marcros]

this is true. I will give it a go on a scrap blank

 

[Jolly Red]

I have used the non-powered inertial sanders to sand blanks, they will sand without leaving sanding marks. I have one of the Sorby miniature sanders, which uses 1" discs, and it does a good job. I think a power sander would be too aggressive and remove too much wood.