Recommendation Needed

[pop pop]

Need a small electric or air grinder? sander? to get into small contours to do body work on a fiberglass body. I've got to remove and taper the damaged area, so removing fiberglass the reglass and smooth. Tight areas, so must be small /agile.

 

[espyking83]

What's your price range?

 

[espyking83]

I use my Blue Point pistol grip DA sander on all kinds of stuff, so i'd say something like that so you'll be getting more use out of it than just this one job.

 

[Stooge]

which do you prefer, air or electric? small as in a confined area or just a small open space? I've been eye balling the air belt sanders for hard to reach areas for awhile, Astro has a few down to about 3/8" and up but would have to be accompanied by a larger sander. if it is an open area but just a small space, a pair of die grinders, straight and right angle with appropriate bits. my straight one is an IR 307B which im very happy with, powerful but really small and easy to handle. I forget who makes the right angle one I use but its an older one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L50MKJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ritestuff]

Do a little research on the Foredom flex shaft machines and accessories. I do all types of restoration work, and over the years, I have been able to solve any difficult, hard to reach, or compound angle grinding or sanding situations using my Foredom stuff. I do a lot of fine, precision work with fiberglass sometimes, and there are a few small rotary carbide cutters available that remove material fast and precisely.

Once you own one of these tools, you will wonder how you ever survived without one. I currently run three different machines and have a cabinet full of accessories. My machines probably make me an extra 60 grand per year in my line of business.

 

[Jazz1]

i like air die grinder with the 70 degree angle. Its my favourite ,,,just seems easy to use in task such as your. You can also adjust speed on air die grinder.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Boom

As small as you're going to find, and more power than most RA die grinders

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...lishers/onyx-micro-2-sander-velcro-0-4hp.html

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...o-2-random-orbit-sander-velcro-3mm-orbit.html

____________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[anndel]

Thanks Chris, I got the 3/8" Nano impact wrench and ratchet. I love those and I reach for them first before my ratchets.

 

[the gypsy]

Thanks Chris, I got the 3/8" Nano impact wrench and ratchet. I love those and I reach for them first before my ratchets.

I think you are posting in the wrong place.

 

[pop pop]

I use my Blue Point pistol grip DA sander on all kinds of stuff, so i'd say something like that so you'll be getting more use out of it than just this one job.

We've got a DA. Too big for small corners etc., but thanks for the advice.

which do you prefer, air or electric? small as in a confined area or just a small open space? I've been eye balling the air belt sanders for hard to reach areas for awhile, Astro has a few down to about 3/8" and up but would have to be accompanied by a larger sander. if it is an open area but just a small space, a pair of die grinders, straight and right angle with appropriate bits. my straight one is an IR 307B which im very happy with, powerful but really small and easy to handle. I forget who makes the right angle one I use but its an older one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L50MKJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I guess we'd call it an open area, but tight small space. I've got a die grinder and carbide "files". Can try that, but finish work needs sanding. I have a straight, air grinder. Will search for angled one. Any help on tooling, i.e. sanding pad for the head? Guess I'd prefer air, but if electric is the only tool, would work.

i like air die grinder with the 70 degree angle. Its my favourite ,,,just seems easy to use in task such as your. You can also adjust speed on air die grinder.

Sounds workable with tooling. I'll search for one.

Boom

As small as you're going to find, and more power than most RA die grinders

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...lishers/onyx-micro-2-sander-velcro-0-4hp.html

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...o-2-random-orbit-sander-velcro-3mm-orbit.html

____________
Chris
Product Manager

Chris, that is a neat tool. I've seen times that would work, but right now I'm looking for something with a smaller work tooling/head area. Think the die grinder path may work best for access and flexibility. Just will need something less aggressive than the die files I have at present.

Thanks guys, great thoughts!

 

[pop pop]

Do a little research on the Foredom flex shaft machines and accessories. I do all types of restoration work, and over the years, I have been able to solve any difficult, hard to reach, or compound angle grinding or sanding situations using my Foredom stuff. I do a lot of fine, precision work with fiberglass sometimes, and there are a few small rotary carbide cutters available that remove material fast and precisely.

Once you own one of these tools, you will wonder how you ever survived without one. I currently run three different machines and have a cabinet full of accessories. My machines probably make me an extra 60 grand per year in my line of business.

Will definitely check this out.

Thank you.

Update: Those are nice. Definitely upgrade from Dremel. Didn't see anything on the part that actually touches the item you're working on. The abrasive, cutter, etc. Just see the tool and accessories. Where do you get your consumable abrasive/cutters etc.?

 

[ritestuff]

Will definitely check this out.

Thank you.

Update: Those are nice. Definitely upgrade from Dremel. Didn't see anything on the part that actually touches the item you're working on. The abrasive, cutter, etc. Just see the tool and accessories. Where do you get your consumable abrasive/cutters etc.?

There are countless different "handpieces" that "quick attach to the flex shaft. Some run a collet set up, where you can install any cutter, wire brush, sanding drum, abrasive stone, etc., that has a 1/8" shank or 1/4" shank. There is also a handpiece that uses a small, keyed Jacobs chuck. Basically, you can spin any consumable that you would use a Dremel (1/8" shank), or a pneumatic die grinder (1/4" shank).

They also sell a 90 degree angled handpiece that has different adaptors that allow you to spin 2" hook and loop sandpaper, and an adapter that allows you to use any of the 3M and other's ROLOC type abrasives.

Just to get an idea of what's out there, go to Ebay and do a basic search of the word "Foredom". You'll be surprised at what's available to use with these machines. They even have "low RPM-high torque" motors that allow you to run up to 4" wire wheels, or swing big, beefy grinding stones. I run 3 different machines from a wheeled hanging bracket, and keep different attachments on each one. You just have to keep track of which foot pedal is running which machine, lol. I swear, these things are a game changer, if you do a lot of resto work or fine detail, and need precise control and perfection in your finished product.

 

[Two Door]

Is an oscillating multi-tool (like a Fein) completely out of the question?

 

[pop pop]

Two Door, I've got one of those. Had not thought to use it! Thank you.
Thanks for all suggestions. I really like the shaft drive righstuff is talking about. Especially like the thought Jazz1 mentioned. So, today before tomorrow's snow storm I stopped in Harbor Freight. Picked up a 70* head air grinder with some accessories. We'll see how that goes. If great and the need continues, we'll see about upgrading. Otherwise move up to rightstuff's recommendation. Kind of min investment and creep up on the right solution. Wouldn't expect this one to last forever, but then I'm not going to either. Thanks to Two Door I'll drag out the multitool with it's box of fittings.

You guys are great. Thanks.