Lathe Disc Sander

WW'nTip-of-Day #068: Lathe Disc Sander
Transmogrifying the lathe today to make a poor man's Disc Sander.
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Bonus: Megan Fitzpatrick's Rude Mechanical Press
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[@jarmstrong2843]

I made my own face plate out of maple and threaded it for use on my lathe. Then glued and screw it down to the MDF sanding disc. One thing I have noticed that over time, the sand paper seems to clog up with wood, glue or what ever. I use to use one of those sanding belt erasers to unclog the sandpaper. But some of those erasers are a little expensive to buy. So, I used the sole of a pair of tennis shoes to act as an eraser. Works great. Try it if you have not done so. It might save ya a few bucks.

[@tpobrienjr]

It has been a long time since I last saw "transmogrify" used in a sentence. This (making a disc sander) is a great idea, especially if there's a lot of sanding to do. Thanks again Shawn.

[@wortheffort]

BIll Watterson changed an industry. It's his term.

[@markb8954]

Great tip. My ShopSmith came with one steel disc sander, but the downside is the paper gets super attached to the disc, so you are “stuck” with whatever grit disc you first apply. Too expensive to remove... so, I ended up making a second disc just like you have crafted here in this excellent video. Now I can have a coarse grit on one disc and a fine finishing grit on the second. By the way, the ShopSmith steel sanding disc costs close to $60.00 (without any discs). So making one or two extras with different grits is pretty economical. Really appreciate your efforts in making these videos.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@imortaldeadead]

Nice and simple add on for your lathe 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Now you just need a buffing wheel, and you’re golden

[@wortheffort]

Got the Beall system on the mini.

[@RealRuler2112]

If you have a Beall tap, you can thread the MDF directly to eliminate the need for a face plate. Soak it in super glue and let dry and you have some tough threads. (I've used one for well over a year and you can't tell.)

[@wortheffort]

Good tip

[@skizzity7180]

Another selling point for ShopSmith. Lathe and disk sander at the same time.....even with an aux table for your sanding disk.

[@0macky0]

I tell everyone that you are the man with the knowledge

[@wortheffort]

To bad it's on a cheat sheet in my pocket and not archived to memory.

[@SkylersRants]

My dad made his lathe into a disc sander back in the 70's. Frankly I think that's all he ever used it for!

[@wortheffort]

Ugh, put that lathe to use.

[@russveinot5754]

great idea and video. 2 things, I found polyurethane works well with sealing MDF. using it on the face (and edge) also allows easy removal and glue clean up between sand paper replacements. instead of using an expensive (over $20?) faceplate, i glued and screwed a 2" square MDF block to the center on the back and use my 4 jaw chuck to hold on lathe. keep up the great videos.

[@wortheffort]

good tips

[@markallred1953]

When I saw the title of this video, I thought,” Oh, no! He’s going to ruin his ways with the grit.” So I had to watch to see how You addressed this problem. I conclude that the vacuum box is crucial. I am surprised that my concerrn isn’t found among the rest of the comments.

[@wortheffort]

The sandpaper never touches the rails (ways) so I don't see the issue. I did mention making a box.

[@suesheldon5325]

Another very useful video Shawn! Thanks for the tip!

[@wortheffort]

Thansk

[@danmottesheard5294]

sent this to a friend that has a lathe. thanks

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@dallasmandy]

Thank you for the link. That's kind of ingenious.

[@garymccoy2888]

Thanks for the tip on cutting that sand paper. I just built the this and ordered a 16 inch disk from Amazon for $15.00.

[@wortheffort]

The disks make it much nicer.

[@TheOlsonOutfit]

Great idea. When I get around to building a lathe, I'm going to make a grind stone attachment for it. I may have to make one of these as well!

[@wortheffort]

That'll add to the flywheel effect.

[@watermain48]

Great build Shawn. Thanks.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@BurningTurtle98]

Between this and pocket83's strip sander lathe mod, I'm getting rid of my sanders to save some space in my tiny workshop XD Nice build!

[@wortheffort]

Space is a limited commodity.

[@knmo3050]

First of all THANKS for all your shared knowledge, thank you. Second, you also could weld a horizontal plate on one metal stick which have the same diameter of your toolrest"feet" and hold it where your toolrest sits so you create a little, movable table in all directions to sand 90 degrees... hope I make myself clear ; )...

[@wortheffort]

KN MO I don’t do any metalwork other than hardening already made plane blades.

[@chevroletdieselnation]

Awesome idea. You could build a box that fits in the gap on the lathe and have it to where the disc goes into it so u can have a table and a spot for dust collection

[@wortheffort]

Yep

[@atx_krause1546]

Great and easy build! Thanks!

[@wortheffort]

thanks

[@Santamonicadrainco]

Now this is a great tip. I tried making one once and made my tenon to big and it always had a wobble to it.

[@wortheffort]

ya, something always goes a little off with me on tenons too. This way it's always flat.

[@brianmiller9365]

No, I didn't sneak in earlier but I remember you saying a while back you might do something like this. So after your reply I went to website and ordered one. I was just joking around in the previous comment. Thanks

[@wortheffort]

Well thanks, wasnt' planning on announcing them until tomorrow but I think it's a needed modification that'll make beginners better quicker. You're the second on the list now.

[@glennmoreland6457]

I see the channel is called: "WORTH THE EFFORT"... And it was...

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@Augcliffe]

I've watched him for a long time and I've never seen that!! Always just read it as Worth Effort

[@Rhysnga]

Another great video.I shared this to my pinterest page.I hope you dont mind.thanks👍🏽

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@JackRockBLC]

I may actually build one of these this weekend.

[@wortheffort]

Do it.

[@robnhannon]

Great idea and explanation. Alcohol based shellac should not swell MDF. Same is true for oil based finishes.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@boltbolter8933]

I’ve got a faceplate with an mdf wheel that has green polishing compound on the edge for super fast stropping. It takes a little finesse but you can polish an edge in no time with it. Just make sure that you don’t use the top of the wheel where it’ll shoot the blade out of your hands right at you, and don’t ask me how I know that.

[@wortheffort]

good idea

[@alfiversen7023]

Nice idea, and great philosophy. Please get a noise reducing system going for your mic.

[@wortheffort]

Alf Iversen I don’t think you realize how little income I survive on.

[@alfiversen7023]

wortheffort I hear you! Your videos are worth that effort, though. Insightful, fun and full of energy.

[@brianmiller9365]

Pretty darn handy with that band saw. I'm saving up for one myself. By the way, was that my saw handle I saw. Pretty sure it was.

[@wortheffort]

Only 3 power tools I wouldn't want to do without. Lathe, Band Saw, Thickness planer. All others I'm about as fast with hand tools but they are nice to have. If you are the one who snuck in before I announce their sale tomorrow then... no, these are all prototypes. Done about 20 so far refining my process.

[@benaldi2]

love it. Thank you.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@drewman428]

I use a screw chuck in my supernova jaws, plywood instead of mdf, and the 16" sanding discs from 2sand.com. I haven't checked prices in while, but they were the cheapest I could find at the time.

[@wortheffort]

good additional info

[@drewman428]

Double checked...and still cheaper than anything on Amazon 2sand.com/psa-16-inch-sanding-discs-aluminum-oxide-cloth-backed no matter what grit you choose. I think that goes for all sizes actually. If anyone knows of a cheaper place, I'm rabbit ears. The main reason I went with screw chuck is that I can quickly change grits without dedicating multiple face-plates to the "disc sander". If you have one of them really long screws, you might have to glue on a mounting block to compensate. :)

[@wortheffort]

Price of sand paper always shocks me...

[@MakeThings]

I didn't know "transmogrify" was a word...I learned a few things from your video today! Love what you do buddy. Just as a side note, if I bought some of your shirts, would you mind if I wore them while I make my videos? I'll give you credit in my description...

[@wortheffort]

It isn't. Paying hommage the Calvin and Hobbes.

[@MakeThings]

It actually has a definition. I looked it up thinking maybe you had come up with it.

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

I would like if you could speak different kinds of hammer. Very good video thank you for sharing

[@wortheffort]

Good idea. I'd have to study up on that though.

[@meanders9221]

Popular Woodworking has been my favorite magazine for the last few years, they seem to go deeper than others. So I've been noting (with a bit of trepidation) the generational turnover, the handoff has been a little rocky, lots of editing problems, typos, etc. besides the change in emphasis to millennial-style DIY or "maker" projects. So that's what Megan F is doing now. Good to know. But doesn't Chris Schwarz have that niche covered with Lost Art Press? (though I can't afford his pubs.)

[@wortheffort]

It's always been Fitzpatrick's niche just now it's her own company, own risk. It's a brave move.

[@fishhuntadventure]

transmogrified

[@pauleyedwin6056]

What model of JET lathe do you have?

[@wortheffort]

mini, midi and 1640

[@makerbuildercrafter3579]

Just a light coat of shellac,Just use 50 Oz is enough. XD

[@wortheffort]

Huh?