extend-a- sand: worth it , or other options?

[Robert Raess]

I need an ext. to my drill to clean up HF's, or a bowl.I have never used the extend-a-sand, but at $145, i think a drill out to be included.What do you use for a drill ext.?If you have an extend-a-sand do you like it, and able to justify the price? Any other extension options, that you like for an alternative choice?
Thanks Rob

 

[Tim L]

Do you have a picture or a link to the "extend-a-sand"?

I, myself have never heard of one and am interested in what you are asking.

Thanks, Tim.

 

[Rob Wallace]

Have a look at this web site to see about the Extend-a-Sand:

https://www.thesandingglove.com/The-Sanding-Glove-Extend-A-Sand.asp

I considered buying one at the Symposium, and will probably do so at the San Jose Symposium next year.

I have Bruce Hoover's "Sanding Solution" and it is extremely well-built and worth the money. One of the best passive sanders available - very versatile.

Hope this helps!

Rob Wallace

 

[Gynia]

This is a device (developed and sold by Bruce Hoover) which you chuck up to a drill.

https://www.thesandingglove.com/The-Sanding-Glove-Extend-A-Sand.asp

 

[Owen Lowe]

I'm pretty cheap when it comes to stuff like this. I use a standard 12" extension from Ace Hardware - less than $8 - on my Milwaukee angle drill.

When I looked at the $145 unit you mentioned, I thought that using a drill chuck at the end of the extension instead of the set-screws may center the sanding arbor better, but the size of the chuck may add fatigue or limit accessibility in some way. The offset of the set-screw extension is very minimal and I'm sanding for crying out loud, not attempting to accurately drill something.

The $145 extension does appear to have a nice hand-hold barrel on the shaft but I just use my hand on the bare extension. One could turn a wood barrel handle for the cheap extension too and slide it on -- I may just make one for myself.

I have no intention of keeping you from spending the $145 if you want to, but there are very inexpensive options out there that do the same job.

 

[Tim L]

Owen, that is exactly what I was thinking when I saw the first post. I have one of those extensions and I don't see why that wouldn't work. And, it would save a lot of money.

Just My Opinion, of course.

 

[hockenbery]

I use the 12" bit extenders. Why you want bruce hoovers device is with the wrong pressure and angle an oscillation develops in the shaft and it whips around uncontrollably. And the rim of the hollow form gets damaged or broken.

I do two things ( I don't know if it will work for other folks )
Usually I get away with wearing a thick leather glove and holding the shaft to dampen or minimize the oscillation.
If this isn't working for me or I think I might loose control. I have a 1" diameter dowel about 7-8" long with a hole through it so it slides over the bit extender. I put bees wax on the shaft and slide it through. I hold the wood with the gloved hand. With one hand on the shaft and one on the drill there is no hand to hold the piece. I rest the HF on a towel in my lap. There is always the risk that a whip from the drill extender can knock the piece off my lap.

Just remember it's only wood and it grows on trees.
There is a always a chance the oscillation will get away from you.

Have fun
Al

 

[Odie]

I have the Extend-A-Sand, and I probably wouldn't buy one, if I'd had the experience of using it prior to owning it. It's a well made contraption, for sure. It does work very well for it's intended purpose.

Other turners who have a need to sand down deep into vessels may have a use for it.

I've been one who has tried out a lot of different products that I've never used very much. From my perspective, the money spent led to an expensive conclusion......but, that conclusion is based on experience, rather than speculation or theory. Actually, I have quite a few gadgets that were only briefly tested.......someday, I'll probably end up selling them.

I also use the inexpensive drill bit extensions, and actually use them quite a bit. These are more applicable to my needs, but don't have the "reach" that the EAS has. I can see where some other turners, the EAS will be the best option, but most of us will find the drill bit extensions a good way to go. I have made hand holds for the shafts.......once you do this, you'll never go back to holding with bare hands........

ooc

 

[Owen Lowe]

I use the 12" bit extenders. Why you want bruce hoovers device is with the wrong pressure and angle an oscillation develops in the shaft and it whips around uncontrollably. And the rim of the hollow form gets damaged or broken.

Al, I've not had that experience with a whipping extension but then again, I sand at a pretty slow speed. If the lathe is running, it's rotating at less than 400 rpm or so; my variable speed drill is sanding at only 1/4 to 1/2 pull of the trigger whether the lathe is on or not. I'm sure some folks would find it excruciatingly slow speed - but I think it does a better sanding job for me, is more controllable, and the hooks and disks last a lot longer than when I was at full bore drill speed.

For those old timers here who remember newsgroups: rec.crafts.woodturning – Lyn Mangiameli enlightened me to slow speed sanding.

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[hughie]

I also use the inexpensive drill bit extensions, and actually use them quite a bit. These are more applicable to my needs, but don't have the "reach" that the EAS has. I can see where some other turners, the EAS will be the best option, but most of us will find the drill bit extensions a good way to go. I have made hand holds for the shafts.......once you do this, you'll never go back to holding with bare hands........

Yeah I have something along the same lines, although my own version of a extended enertia sander is a bit diiferent to the sanding glove set up.
It works ok, but I dont think deep internal sanding will never be a easy chore.