Pianotech

  • 1.  oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-23-2019 21:20
    Anyone own an oscillating spindle sander?  Thinking of getting one...benchtop. Never having used one, having only spun spindles on a drill press, does the oscillating spindle sander have less of a tendency to "washboard" than the drill press version?

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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  • 2.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-23-2019 22:15
    I bought one several years ago. Yes, I would say it's useful. Just attach the exhaust to your shop vac or dust collection. Changing drums is quick and easy. Creating fixtures to use on it is relatively easy. Works fast and smooth.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-23-2019 22:41
    does it have less tendency to "washboard" than a drill press sleeve?

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-24-2019 08:31
    If you mean impart grooves relative to the grit of the abrasive the answer is yes. Much better result, IMO.
    If you mean something different by "washboard" then I'm not sure.

    It sure works fast...sometimes too fast. 

    Edit: I made a fixture for it to help duplicate those squared, slightly tapered Steinway pedal lyre braces. Very little hand sanding to complete. I don't know how I would have accomplished it without this machine. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-24-2019 08:58
    nope I don't mean sanding grit scratches. 

    "Washboard"...think of a country dirt road where a series of dips and troughs develop that bang the heck out of a cars suspension.  I find it difficult, with my old sloppy quill drill press, which is only used for spindle sanding, to avoid creating this non-flat regularly spaced uneven-ness very similar to what you find on a country dirt road.

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-24-2019 09:03
    My take is maintenance. I got tired of replacing the sandpaper because of the small surface area. And if you do a lot of sanding like i do, you may not like that part of it. I use a sander that has a belt 6 feet long and 8" wide, they last a good amount of time. I also use a 1" belt sander and the belts are 2' long and also last awhile. 
    -chris

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    Troubles are Bubbles, and they just float away.
    chernobieffpiano.com
    grandpianoman@protonmail.com
    Knoxville, TN
    865-986-7720
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-24-2019 09:14
    We'll, that CAN happen but I think it's more controllable on this unit. The up and down oscillations smooth things out. 

    For $100 on sale at Woodcraft I felt it was money well spent.  However I don't do GOBS of sanding, but it makes quick work when I need it.

    Edit: Generally not using it for long flat surfaces. Short, curved and odd shaped pieces for the most part. It's right next to the belt sander so whichever one works best is the choice. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-26-2019 10:52
    Hi, Jim - I've used a number of difference OSS's. I would say that they are less prone to the dreaded washboarding in that the oscillation does seem to make it a bit easier to keep the piece moving smoothly. The best way to avoid washboard is to use a guide bearing and a template, such as Robosander sustem. But this is prob not relevant here. The real benefit I find w/ OSS is in clean-up - I often don't need to finish sand after using an OSS; I almost always do after non OSS, even with template.  BTW, the OSS I have now is actually a small benchtop drill press that has an oscillating feature. Benefit here is that it allows me to make my own drums and use whatever abrasive I wish.
    Regards, John

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    John Fabel
    Adjunct Professor
    University of Massachusetts
    Amherst MA
    413-695-1380
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: oscillating spindle sanders

    Posted 04-26-2019 12:39
      |   view attached
    I've been using a Rigid from Home Depot for a long time. It also came with an oscillating belt sander attachment. But I see that they don't carry this model but other OSS's. There are 4 rubber sleeve carriers, .5"~2".  I get the sanding sleeves From Klingspor.
    I made a riser so that the hammer is square to the sleeve and the shank hangs off to the side. The plywood is clamped to the machine's surface. The scoop allows for the sweep of the shank when required. The shop vac plugs onto the port to clear the fluff.  Fast sanding and clean surfaces. A fine grit sleeve can really put the finishing touches on the surface. A must-have recommendation.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message