Is there such a tool?

[Chuck Wood]

Hi All,

I'm looking for an angled die grinder-type tool that's electric and can't seem to find anybody who manufactures one. I know there are several pneumatic versions: high speed with 1/4 collet chuck. And several electric die grinders with straight heads but none with angled. If anybody knows who makes an electric version please let me know. The primary use will be for buffing and not necessarily on turnings.

Thanks!!!

 

[David Somers]

Check out the Sanding Drill by Sioux. They have several models with variable speeds ranging from 0 to 1250 and on up to 2500. They are electric and the housing looks like it is a 50 or 60 degree angle to the chuck. I haven't tried one but am intrigued by them.

I saw them in Craft Supplies catalog and on their web site at www.woodturnerscatalog.com

 

[Mark Mandell]

Hi All,

I'm looking for an angled die grinder-type tool that's electric and can't seem to find anybody who manufactures one. I know there are several pneumatic versions: high speed with 1/4 collet chuck. And several electric die grinders with straight heads but none with angled. If anybody knows who makes an electric version please let me know. The primary use will be for buffing and not necessarily on turnings.

Thanks!!!

Chuck,

Sioux tools make a series of close-quarter 60* head drills (same as Milwaukee) in 0-1500 or 0-2500 rpm. They also make a 90* model which is limited to 0-1500 rpm. You can check Packard's site under sanding and power sanders at

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/


There are 90* die grinders that have more rpm, but the only ones I know of are air powered. Some are listed on the same Packard site.

Note also that you can mount a bowl buff or small wheel on a long mandrel and use that in a flex-shaft chuck to get more rpm and deep access.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chuck Wood]

Mark / Dave

Thanks for the information. We are on the right track and getting closer. I was wondering if there is a unit that has a higher RPM: More like 12,000 or better. The 90 degree pneumatic version or a die-grinder (we call them Dotcos in our line of work) would be perfect if only electric. I'm wondering if there are limitations which prevent such high RPMs.
The Sioux looks to be close to what I'm after with the exception of RPM. The 50 - 60 degree angled head would work. If nothing else is available, I may get that one....and you guys can borrow it!!

Chuck

 

[Mark Mandell]

Bearings

Mark / Dave

Thanks for the information. We are on the right track and getting closer. I was wondering if there is a unit that has a higher RPM: More like 12,000 or better. The 90 degree pneumatic version or a die-grinder (we call them Dotcos in our line of work) would be perfect if only electric. I'm wondering if there are limitations which prevent such high RPMs.
The Sioux looks to be close to what I'm after with the exception of RPM. The 50 - 60 degree angled head would work. If nothing else is available, I may get that one....and you guys can borrow it!!

Chuck

Chuck,

I have the 2,500 model so I won't need to borrow, however, I will point out that while many turners use them, the Sioux / Milwaukee units are drills that are not specifically designed to operate in the dusty, gritty air of sanding or buffing turnings. Their bearings are therefore not double sealed, and since the bearings nest in the molded plastic case/handle, they may foul with dirt, overheat, and melt the plastic which means you go buy another drill. There is, however, a simple cure, and that is to change out the existing bearings with the proper double-sealed variety.

Those precise bearings just happen to be on sale at ENCO at

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

for about $2.50 each, part No. FP510-1961. If you get the drill, buy 4 bearings (they're small) and replace the stock ones. Hold the other two for a future change. These fit the 55* angle-heads; don't know about the Sioux 90* model.

BTW Proxxon makes a high speed electric angle grinder, but as far as I know, it cannot be fitted with a chuck as you requested. Google "Proxxon" and you'll find a bunch.

Good Luck

 

[Gynia]

Here are some oprions I can think of.

One is a right angle handpiece for a flexshaft machine. That will get you around 25,000 rpm. The one I amn aware of it limited to 1/8", 3/32" or 1/16" collets.

The other option is the "mini" right angle grinder like the one by Proxon. That has VS up to 13,000 RPM but I am not sure how you would attach the buff.

There is the rotozip which has a right angle attachment. But that is the grinder and I don't know how you would attach the buff.

At much lower RPMs there are several right angle drills. I like the Makita right angle drills.

I do wonder why you would want to buff at more than 2500 rpm.

Good Luck

 

[Bill Boehme]

Chuck,

I doubt that you will be able to find anything that can be used for buffing at that speed. That speed is far too high for anything except very small diameter cutting and grinding tools. It is unsafe if you are thinking about using something that looks like a traditional cotton buff at that kind of speed. There are two problems that I can think of:

1. the diameter and softness would probably cause it to disintegrate quickly
2. It would not be dymanically balanced and at that speed it would vibrate the tool apart and you might not even be able to hold it
3. it would be exciting for a while

Maybe you are talking about a different type of buffing wheel that is very small in diameter, but if not, please reconsider.


One thing to consider is the difference in kinetic energy of an object spinning at 2000 RPM and the same object spinning at 12000 RPM. At the higher speed the kinetic energy will be 36 times greater.😱


Can you provide more details on what you will be buffing?


Bill

 

[Chuck Wood]

Hi All,

I guess I need to clarify a bit on the intended use of the tool. As stated in my first post, the tool is not necessarly intended for turnings (hopefully I havent lost a bunch of you with that statement 🙄 ).
While I do have most of my emediate buffing needs covered for my turnings, I have come across several shop situations where it would have been nice to have an electric, high speed die grinder. I do have a right angle air version but my compressor does not have the capasity to spin the tool at the rated RPM (around 18,000 rpm I think)
At my 'real' job, it's this same tool that is often fitted with a 3" buff used in my line of work to polish acrilics and laquers (Aircraft windshields and interior furniture). Combined with a Novus (r) brand pilosh, the results are like glass. Sweet.
So, I was refinishing a table at home (sorry again, not a turning) with that exopy poor-on finish. A few minor flaws were worked out with Micromesh and polish, but again I was thinking how handy it would be to have the high speed tool with the 3" buffing pad to blend into a mirror like finish.
By the way, I wrote the manufacture of the epoxy asking how to polish and they didnt have a clue, but for the record, the stuff takes a polish beautifully: wetsand with 600 followed by Micromesh to 12,000 then polish after curing for 72 hours

Thanks..

 

[Ron Warman]

Epoxy melting point?

While I was repairing flat wood things epoxy was my last choice to repair broken legs etc. but it did have one property that made it nice. It would fill gaps where wood was missing. I found you had to be careful not to be too agressive with this repair or the epoxy would melt and smear all over. Just a memory of mine.

Ron