What type of Air Sander would suit my needs

[jweaver]

I asked this yesturday on the Tools forum and didn't get the answers I wanted and then I noticed there is a specific forum for "Air Tools" so wonder if I could try again.

I want an air powered sander, which uses cheap, readily available discs, which I can use to 'grind' edges/surfaces (i.e preparing metal before welding).

I don't think I want an 'orbital' sander, as I assume these are more designed for things like paintwork.. I want something which just rotates at speed and holds a pad.

Looking at eBay and can see lots of sanders, but they either have a large central collar which would make it impossible to use the flat surface of a disk.. Or they are orbital..

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for? Ideally it would be nice to get an orbital sander on which you can turn the orbiting mechanism off.. Some of the listings imply that this is the case, but none say it directly... Hence my question.


Jon

 

[piman]

Hello Jweaver,

I think most use an angle grinder for this sort of work, with either a grinding disc or a flap wheel. I don't know if you can get as powerful an air powered one for sensible money?

Alec

 

[jweaver]

Hello Jweaver,

I think most use an angle grinder for this sort of work, with either a grinding disc or a flap wheel. I don't know if you can get as powerful an air powered one for sensible money?

Alec

Good answer.. I only just discovered Flap Disks last week and on my electric grinder its awsome.,

In truth, I am probably expecting too much from air...

I currently use a 3" Air Cut Off tool for most of my work, and its pretty handy with a grinding wheel too.. .Its just a pain to change disks.. Today Aldi have the same tool for £9, and I am tempted to get one, just so that I can keep one with a cutting disk and one with a grinding disk fitted.. And perhaps the grinding disk will do what I went.

Thanks for the reply.

Jon

 

[superls]

i know what you mean if you have ever watched 'american hotrod' they all use them on there, not sure what there called tho

 

[piman]

Hello All,

although I've never used one with a cutting disc, the die grinder sort of cutter looks to be harder to use accurately than an angle grinder for cutting straight lines, Because it is at right angles to your arm I would think it's more likely to cut in an arc?

Alec

 

[jweaver]

i know what you mean if you have ever watched 'american hotrod' they all use them on there, not sure what there called tho

Exactly.. A lot of these types of show, have them.. And I am not absolutely sure what they are.. THere must be something which just spins fast and takes a 100mm disc.. Just for light 'cleaning'.

I picked up another cut off tool today, so armed with 3mm cutting/grinding disk it might do what I need.. My only concern is that its got a 9.5mm spindle, vs 10mm on my old one.

This answers a question I have had for years, as some of my cutting disks are 9.5mm (And fit my 10mm shaft with minor modification), and others are 10mm, which fit perfectly.

I wonder if the 9.5mm will take a 10mm disk without going off centre?

Going to have a play tonight.

Jon

 

[buckers]

There a plenty of this sort of sander on the bay for sale
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-OPERA...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3cbfa49ca4
They take a 75mm velcro pad. I use them all the time, albeit not on metal.
HTH

 

[jweaver]

There a plenty of this sort of sander on the bay for sale
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-OPERA...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3cbfa49ca4
They take a 75mm velcro pad. I use them all the time, albeit not on metal.
HTH

Thats exactly what I am looking for.. And the sanding pads are cheap

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-3-75mm...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item460d459363

I will do a bit more searching.. I got put off because most were Orbital.

 

[jacksparrow]

There a plenty of this sort of sander on the bay for sale
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-OPERA...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3cbfa49ca4
They take a 75mm velcro pad. I use them all the time, albeit not on metal.
HTH

i have similar for sanding but for grinding i have similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-6MM-A...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item43aa27e9df

 

[jweaver]

i have similar for sanding but for grinding i have similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-6MM-A...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item43aa27e9df

So thats just a right angled grinder (like a large dremil)? What do you put in to sand? Is it as simply as a rubber sanding pad and then stick on AluOxide discs?

I already have the tool, but mine is a straight version.. I guess I could just give get the sanding pad and give it a go...

Jon

 

[langy]

i know what you mean if you have ever watched 'american hotrod' they all use them on there, not sure what there called tho

Sounds like an angle die grinder with 2" or 3" Rolok discs.

 

[chevy2]

i have similar for sanding but for grinding i have similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-6MM-A...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item43aa27e9df

I bought two of these and keep different size arbors in each for using different roloc discs,
these ones are better and have insulated handles so arent so cold when running.

 

[langy]

I bought two of these and keep different size arbors in each for using different roloc discs,
these ones are better and have insulated handles so arent so cold when running.

Your suppord to be working not surfing

 

[chevy2]

Your suppord to be working not surfing

Ditto

 

[langy]

Ditto

I'm on a day off, on kitchen finishing duties

 

[graffian]

Do you mean something like an Ingersol Rand 317 sander? I had an older version which went walkies years ago, I had a look fora replacement, and being a tight **** I found there were some cheapo ones, Anchor tools on ebay had one for 15 quid.

 

[jweaver]

I ended up buying one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400327762043?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Comes with a 50 and 75mm pad, so can take 2 types of discs.. Seems idea for what I want, since pads are only £6.99 for 50!

Looking forwards to trying it out.

 

[langy]

I ended up buying one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400327762043?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Comes with a 50 and 75mm pad, so can take 2 types of discs.. Seems idea for what I want, since pads are only £6.99 for 50!

Looking forwards to trying it out.

In the first post you said you didn't want a DA

 

[jweaver]

In the first post you said you didn't want a DA

DA? Cant work out what this referring too. Something to do with Orbital? Since this item was listed as being idea, for sanding/grimding rust and welds, i figured it was worth a punt.. I believe its orbital, but it says that it will "grind" so i am willing to give it a go.

Edit: DA = Dual Action.. Worked it out

 

[tel76]

I have already asked a question about this product,scroll down and you will see that the experts say that they are DA and cannot be converted to a grinder,