Some people never learn Odie. If you use high speed sanding device like that pneumatic, you
can't get a good surface because of the heat.
My answer, still cheap, easier on the arm than any drill motor and reaches everywhere easily, is the flex shaft. Doesn't make loud, unpleasant noises, either, since it has an induction motor. Use it like a rotary abrasive scraper, supported on the toolrest.
Yes, very true, MM.......
There is a learning curve to properly use higher speeds in sanding. There is a time to use it, and there is a time to avoid it. Basically, it's best to just "keep it moving". For a novice, who is still getting deep tear-out, this is problematic at best, because it's tempting to sand hard and fast on the tear-out, which nearly always results in burning the wood. Sometimes the wood is burnt, but isn't really detectable until one puts a finish on his bowl.......and THERE it is!!!!! About the only thing you can do, at that point, is say a angry epithet, and LEARN from it.
I'm just like everyone else who has gone through the early stages of learning how to make a bowl......I've burned a bunch of bowls, made adjustments in my tool techniques, as well as sanding techniques and applications.
I started out using a Makita electric drill, similar to what John Lucas is using. Then I went through a stage of using all pneumatic tools......high speed die grinders, as well as variable speed straight and in-line pneumatic drills. The pneumatics will work ok, but I sure got tired of oil spitting on my work, or hands, which ended up on my work.
When I finally bought my first Sioux angle drill, that one "stuck on me"!
If I'm not mistaken, I bought the passive sander in the early 1990's.......after I had already gone through a progression of sanding techniques. It was easy to see the passive sander didn't have much value to me.......BUT, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it!
I believe Ed Moulthrop was using a flex shaft, like you are MM......but, on a very large scale. I can understand how you would really like it because of the light weight......does make some sense.......and, on the same note, I am fully aware there are some excellent turners that use a standard electric drill to to their sanding, too.....
I must stress, however, that whatever I say in this thread, or this entire forum for that matter, is strictly my OPINION. I am telling it as I see it through MY eyes, and am not attempting to say what I've evolved to is what everyone should evolve to......or even think is a good way of doing things. I feel comfortable doing things the way I have learned to do them, and I acknowledge that I may not be seeing things on the same plane as everyone, or even anyone else does........
ooc
![Sioux angle head sander [2].jpg](/community/data/attachments/2/2144-69dbc1199ff3289a8086a15f51536fcf.jpg)
