FordTrax
Member
I have a pen mill but it really does not seem to work that great. I have been thinking about going to a disc sander to square the ends of the blank. I know I will need to make a jig or get the PSI jig to hold the pen tube square to the disc. (If anyone knows a better jig than the PSI please let me know.)
My question is this - a friend has a 5" disc sander with a 1" belt I think it is a Delta 31-080 (?) that I could get for $25. However, not having used a disc sander I wonder how effective the small disc will be at removing material and I am not sure what I would use the belt for. The great things about it are - it is small so it would not take up much space, light enough that I could store it on a shelf and just move it to the workbench when needed, and 5" discs are common and easy to get.
However, I wonder if a 12" disc only sander (like the $170 Grizzly - G7297) would not be a better investment in the long run. Heavier duty so longer lasting, more efficient material removal on pens, and maybe more useful for other wood working projects. The downside is more $, and heaver and bigger it may need a more fixed place in my shop.
I would like some advice on what disc sander you use and which of these options you would suggest? If there are other options please let me know since I am rather new to all this. Thanks
My question is this - a friend has a 5" disc sander with a 1" belt I think it is a Delta 31-080 (?) that I could get for $25. However, not having used a disc sander I wonder how effective the small disc will be at removing material and I am not sure what I would use the belt for. The great things about it are - it is small so it would not take up much space, light enough that I could store it on a shelf and just move it to the workbench when needed, and 5" discs are common and easy to get.
However, I wonder if a 12" disc only sander (like the $170 Grizzly - G7297) would not be a better investment in the long run. Heavier duty so longer lasting, more efficient material removal on pens, and maybe more useful for other wood working projects. The downside is more $, and heaver and bigger it may need a more fixed place in my shop.
I would like some advice on what disc sander you use and which of these options you would suggest? If there are other options please let me know since I am rather new to all this. Thanks