Upgraded Sanding Station FYI

[FrankEV]

A few of my recent post in Bragging Rights were of some solid wood projects.  There was the Heart Box, the Cat, and most recently the Kokopelli Band.  In comments back and forth specifically regarding the Heart Box, some were amazed that I did most of the sanding using my Dremel plus a lot of hand sanding and that I did not have or use a spindle sander.

My shop is very tiny and bench type Spindle Sanders are quite large and I just do not have the room to add one to my shop…at least that is what I thought.    Doing a lot of research, I found that Tritan and Wen both make a small portable unit intended for handheld operation.  Both are orange and look almost identical with the only apparent difference between the two is the name and price tag.  The Tritan sells for over $150 while I was able to purchase the Wen on Amazon for under $50.   

Although both are designed for handheld operation, both offer a set of L-bolts that allows it to be clamped to a bench in a spindle-up position.  The base/worktable of the unit is quite small, but I think it will be adequate for the type of projects I will be making.  Rockler offers a plate that can be mounted to make a larger table, but I’m not sure if it will be needed.  

I was able to mount the unit to my already existing Sanding Station, so it does not take up any additional shop space.  Here are some pics.

 

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by FrankEV

[preprius]

Frank,

That is great that you can get new items. 

They make a lot of dust fast.  The shop vac port helps alot but does not suck all the dust from top part of the spindle. Also a sandpaper eraser from harbor freight helps alot to clean the spindles. see attach pic.

The big diameter spindles will grab pieces and send them flying. But you wont have to go far to get them.

 

[OCtoolguy]

I've been trying to find a source for those "L-bolts" expecially if they have flattened ends. I watch a lot of videos put out by a Japanese woodworker and he made some things using them but his source dried up. I can't find them anywhere because I don't know what they are correctly called. Can anybody give me any ideas on what they might be called other than L-bolts? I've tried everything I can think of. I have a few projects that I need them for and if they are too short they won't work. Clamp blocks and fence accessories are in my playbook. If you ever want to spend some time watching a series of videos, there is no dialogue just soft music. Very relaxing. His name is OHYO56 and he is very imaginative.

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks for the info Frank. I’ll have to check the Wen out?

Not to hijack your thread, I see you have the yellow tool to the left, (can’t think of it’s name). How do you like that?

Also, you use the sanding mop with it!?

[dgman]

3 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

I've been trying to find a source for those "L-bolts" expecially if they have flattened ends. I watch a lot of videos put out by a Japanese woodworker and he made some things using them but his source dried up. I can't find them anywhere because I don't know what they are correctly called. Can anybody give me any ideas on what they might be called other than L-bolts? I've tried everything I can think of. I have a few projects that I need them for and if they are too short they won't work. Clamp blocks and fence accessories are in my playbook. If you ever want to spend some time watching a series of videos, there is no dialogue just soft music. Very relaxing. His name is OHYO56 and he is very imaginative.

 

Ray, google either of those sanders. You will probably find a manual and parts list.

[FrankEV]

9 hours ago, Gonzo said:

Thanks for the info Frank. I’ll have to check the Wen out?

Not to hijack your thread, I see you have the yellow tool to the left, (can’t think of it’s name). How do you like that?

Also, you use the sanding mop with it!?

That tool is the Guinevere Flexable Finisher from King Artur's T\tools that I use with a flex shaft.  Probably 20 + years old. Operates at 3600 RPM.  I use it with various rough gouge carving bits and I mount my Mops in it.  I works great.

In general, I do not have any problem with using the mop on delicate fretwork.  Of course you must be careful and not to apply tooooo much pressure.

Here are a some pics.

 

 

Edited March 16, 2022 by FrankEV

[NC Scroller]

12 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

I've been trying to find a source for those "L-bolts" expecially if they have flattened ends. I watch a lot of videos put out by a Japanese woodworker and he made some things using them but his source dried up. I can't find them anywhere because I don't know what they are correctly called. Can anybody give me any ideas on what they might be called other than L-bolts? I've tried everything I can think of. I have a few projects that I need them for and if they are too short they won't work. Clamp blocks and fence accessories are in my playbook. If you ever want to spend some time watching a series of videos, there is no dialogue just soft music. Very relaxing. His name is OHYO56 and he is very imaginative

Fastenal sells them and calls them "bent anchor bolts".

[BadBob]

12 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

I've been trying to find a source for those "L-bolts" expecially if they have flattened ends. I watch a lot of videos put out by a Japanese woodworker and he made some things using them but his source dried up. I can't find them anywhere because I don't know what they are correctly called. Can anybody give me any ideas on what they might be called other than L-bolts? I've tried everything I can think of. I have a few projects that I need them for and if they are too short they won't work. Clamp blocks and fence accessories are in my playbook. If you ever want to spend some time watching a series of videos, there is no dialogue just soft music. Very relaxing. His name is OHYO56 and he is very imaginative.

 

Would these work?

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-Universal-Fence-Clamp-4-Pack/dp/B09Q4LP3FC/

They are called L-Hooks. You can get the from McMaster-Carr although may be to large.

https://www.mcmaster.com/l-hooks/

 

Google search for "L-Hook"

https://www.google.com/search?q=L-hook

 

[kmmcrafts]

Looks like a great set up Frank.. I'm heading out in a few to my local lumber / tool supplier.. they are a Tritan tool dealer so maybe I'll see if they have one of those on display..

[barb.j.enders]

I bought the WEN after Steve Good did a review on it.  Love it.  Gave up my Rigid bench top sander as I had no space for it and it lived on my floor.

[Hawk]

Frank, 

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking there's one in my future and the Rigid. Like in Barb's example,  mine lives under the King SS.

Chris

[Norm Fengstad]

Interesting compact sanders. I live in Canada and looked on the Amazon under Wen sanders and the unit you show didn't show then went to Triton sanders and there is the Wen at 87 bucks

[FrankEV]

2 hours ago, Norm Fengstad said:

Interesting compact sanders. I live in Canada and looked on the Amazon under Wen sanders and the unit you show didn't show then went to Triton sanders and there is the Wen at 87 bucks

TRy this Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCTPCJQ?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-other-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-rscomp-feature-rscomp&ref=aa_rscomp&th=1