Hi I am trying to find out what type of grinder to buy and use for sanding boards, If you could help me with brand, RPM’s etc. that would be great. thanks alot. Nick
Be careful. You can get a grinder and put a pad on it (10,000 rpm) but until you get use to it you can smoke through the laminate layers way too easy (just bump the trigger). The grinders are pretty cheap $50 to $60. The variable speed circular sanders are nice and can be turned up to around 7,500 rpm. They have a dial on them that you can adjust the rpms depending on your needs. They are more expensive (I think they start at $225). I use a grinder with a pad on it (wish I had a variable), and a nuematic (runs off a compressor) DA palm sander. My buddy has a nuematic circular sander that they use to sand bondo on cars. It is adjustable (rpms) and is real heavy. It works super good for sanding fin and leash plugs and the initial sanding. http://www.shapers.com.au/category12_1.htm
Herb had mentioned one awhile back from Harbour Freight that he liked and was priced right. How about it Herb? If you were on a budget and could only buy one which one should it be? Thanks for the input!
YUP, It’s a 2-speeder,not much ratio between the 2 speeds,but I love mine it does approx. 90% of my grinding and I’m still on my first grinder after allmost 2 years.They cost about 40.00 on sale + tax,and normally 50.00 reg. priced.YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARCHIVE THE INFO. UNDER MY NAME IF NOT I WILL HAVE A LOOK SEE, IF YOU ASK!!!Herb.
YUP, It’s a 2-speeder,not much ratio between the 2 speeds,but I love mine > it does approx. 90% of my grinding and I’m still on my first grinder after > allmost 2 years.They cost about 40.00 on sale + tax,and normally 50.00 > reg. priced.YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARCHIVE THE INFO. UNDER MY NAME IF NOT I > WILL HAVE A LOOK SEE, IF YOU ASK!!!Herb. I have that Harbor Freight sander, link below. I also have a Sears 2.25 horsepower, 4500 RPM sander/grinder (big bertha). The $40 Harborfreight sander works great! At 2500 and 3000 RPM it’s versatile, and won’t sand or polish through glass too quickly. Big Bertha turns so fast that it slings sandpaper off my pads. Big Bertha is so quick at polishing that I have to bump the trigger and swipe the board. It will burn a board in a second.
I have that Harbor Freight sander, link below. I also have a Sears 2.25 > horsepower, 4500 RPM sander/grinder (big bertha).>>> The $40 Harborfreight sander works great! At 2500 and 3000 RPM it’s > versatile, and won’t sand or polish through glass too quickly. Big Bertha > turns so fast that it slings sandpaper off my pads. Big Bertha is so quick > at polishing that I have to bump the trigger and swipe the board. It will > burn a board in a second. The “Tim the Tool Man Special” huh Noodle?
Hi I am trying to find out what type of grinder to buy and use for sanding > boards, If you could help me with brand, RPM’s etc. that would be great. > thanks alot.>>> Nick I have 2 Makita Variable speed (1550-2800) grinders and they work great. One is 7 years old, the other is 3 years old and never had any trouble with either one,haven’t even had to replace brushs. They are about $200 to $250, but worth every cent. If you do a lot of grinding and polishing they’re the ones to use. They use a rheostat for speed adjustments,tune in your rpms and go.They weigh only 7.5 lbs, so your arms won’t get tired after grinding for a few hours
Several of my friends use the polisher/grinder from Harbour Freight and have been very pleased. Keep in mind these guys are garage shapers and only do 5 or 6 boards a year. If you are going to really crank out the boards you may want to spend more and get a DeWalt or Milwaukee with all the sealed bearings and fancy wording.