Opinions on Disc Sander

[Tom Neeson]

Hi Guys
    I've realized I need a disc sander. This one is on eBay for $32.00 + shipping. I use mostly styrene for building, and this one says it spins at 11,000 rpm. Is that too fast for plastic, will it just melt it? Are there disc sanders with variable speeds? What do you think.

Thanks for your help,
Tom

[finescalerr]

It looks similar to the one from MicroMark but may or may not be from the same manufacturer. Either way, you would need a foot pedal rheostat for it to slow down the wheel. Without it, you definitely will melt any plastic you sand with it. Certainly an extremely useful tool and every modeler should own one.  -- Russ

[Tom Neeson]

Thanks Russ,
    I've decided to get serious and order the Microlux 5" sander with foot pedal from MicroMark. I have a coupon for free shipping. I'm assuming some of you on here have this one and like it....yes?

Tom

[finescalerr]

I do and it is my most used power tool by far. I have no criticism of it after some twelve years. -- Russ

[Chuck Doan]

Any sander considered for modelling should have a speed control.

[marc_reusser]

I have the MM 10" and have been really happy with it. It has a built in variable speed control, but I don't adjust it much.
It is one of my most used tools.

Marc

[RoughboyModelworks]

I don't own nor have I ever used one in the model shop. However, I have had experience with a large 3' dia. disc sander in a cabinet shop (that thing could take your knuckles off in the blink of an eye!) and there are four important issues. One, as pointed out already is speed. 11,000 rpm is much too fast, so a speed control would be essential. I wouldn't recommend a foot-operated control as it is very difficult to maintain a constant speed with those. A dial-operated speed control would be much preferable. You don't want the speed to be oscillating while in use as can happen with a foot control. The second important point is the rigidity of the table mount. The table needs to perfectly rigid in whatever position you set it relative to the sanding disc, otherwise accuracy will suffer. The third important point is the table should be as perfectly flat as possible. It would be a good idea to lap the table on a known flat surface, again to insure accuracy in the sanding operation. And lastly, the sanding disc itself should also be as perfectly flat as possible. Again, it would be a good idea to lap the disc on a known flat surface to remove any high spots being careful to keep the surface at 90° to the spindle axis.

Paul