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Self-powered sanders?

I built one. Just didn't like it. There are places where I either need to hand sand or power sand in one spot a d of course it won't do that. Was also terrible at sanding the middle of my mirrors. Don't need it at all on spindles so it just didn't work for me.
 
Tom......there are plenty of them for sale. Just get one and try it out. They are cheap enough that everyone should be able to give it a try......even me! There's not much difference in them, other than aesthetics......they all work the same. Mine is an inexpensive one that I used a few times, and it's been dormant for......hmmmm, it might be since last century when I used it last!

Do they work?.....Well, yes, they do.....but you can also dig a swimming pool with a shovel.....if you get my drift. o_O

-----odie-----
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Recommendations?

Tom, years ago before I had an angle drill to use as a power sander, I made this self-powered sander. As others have said, it works well for some parts of turnings but not for others. To its credit, however, it gives a softer scratch pattern than a simple power sander--more like a Metabo or other random orbit sander.

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I have a couple. They work great on hollow balls for Christmas ornaments.
A workable one can me made just drilling a hole 3/4” deep in a handle at an angel the size of a sanding pad shaft + 1/32 or 1/16.
Will work fine with no bearings. Bearings will make it feel smoother.
 
Why not just get an inexpensive die-grinder? Home Depot has them at $20ish. Harbor Freight, no doubt, less.
With a stiff paper-back silicon carbide disc on a die-grinder, you can apply minimal pressure and remove the toolmarks. You apply it at 7-o'clock just like a inertia type, only with much less pressure. If there is a low spot, time to sharpen the gouge.
 
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