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flexible shaft sander

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greg millert

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Dec 26, 2008
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Penn State Industries sells a flexible shaft sander kit for round pad sanders. Short of a Fordom type tool, I've not seen flexible shaft sanders advertised elsewhere. Does any one have any experience with this tool? The shaft is driven by a portable drill. It seems to me that the advantage is that it is much easier to use than holding a drill motor with a pad on it. On the other hand, does the flexible shaft adequately deliver the power. I'm just curious about others' experience. Thanks.

By the way, I am new to turning and this site has been a very valuable resource for me.

Greg Millert
 

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The problems I'd have with the flexible shaft are:

The end of the shaft is not flexible, it's very rigid and too long to accommodate getting back into the corners (even with a flexible rubber sanding disk on the end business end of the shaft)
The flexible shaft isn't very manageable and gets caught up in the machinery at the worst possible moments.
There is too much power lost in driving the flexible shaft

I prefer using an angle grinder/drill. Even with a power cord it's easier to manage than a flexible cable drive shaft.
 
One of my good friends uses a heavier duty flex shaft for all of his sanding. He attached it to a 1/2hp motor so it easily handles all of his chores.
 
flex shaft sanders

Garrett Wade Has a nice 52 inch flex shaft with 3/8" chuck for 32.00.

I use the flex shaft for sanding bowls seems to work good.

I have mine hooked to a old craftsman 1/2 hp motor, plenty of power at 1725 rpm's

I am just a novice turner tho.
 
Flex shafts are great. They don't force you to support a heavy tool with your wrist or against the work, but can be used as your turning tools, on the toolrest. Means they can move dust with very little heat, and when powered by a 1725 induction motor, almost no noise.

Do not buy cheap if it has sleeve bearings. They heat, require lube, and then grow sawdust beards. Pay the money for the ball bearings. I have used the one from Lee Valley, and found it inferior to the one available through Woodcraft or Woodworkers' Supply. Think I only got a year or so on it before the outside casing metal cracked.

One other benefit is that you can sit down beside the lathe and hold your warped glory in one hand and maneuver the sander in the other. Don't want some angle grinder working in my lap!

Outside, but inside's the same. http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/?action=view&current=150Sand-1.flv
 
I think there are valid arguments for both the flexible shaft and a right angle drill.
Splurge, get both. You can get a cheap right angle drill at Harbor Freight. I don't know if I would use a drill to power the flexible shaft though. I wouldn't think they aren't made for the duty cycle.
 
This thread has caused me to stimulate the economy! Picked up a motor on craigslist, an arbor chuck at Woodcraft and the sander from Garrett Wade. Next stop is somewhere to get discs and pads! I'll post, again, after the "system" is up and running.

John
 
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