Dremel Tips For Polishing and Sanding?

**sapito318** · 07-29-2009, 04:30 PM

I have done a lot of online searching and have found a few tips for polishing and sanding metal, namely over at SRP. There is not really a "concrete" list of tips that are proven to work.

The main reason I ask is that, after beginning hand sanding on a W&B restore, my minor carpal tunnel like symptoms from work are returning, which worries me. It is apparent that I am going to be unable to do hand sanding without making my wrists even worse. (and before you ask, yes I was using a "jig" to sand, my jig being an eraser with sandpaper clamped on with a heavy duty paper clip --see link) The eraser jig worked well, but still the sanding motion was really messing with my wrist.

Anyways!

Here is what I am considering doing. I have the 10.8 cordless lithium battery Dremel tool, which is absolutely incredible

very happy with it. I plan on also picking up the Flex-Shaft Attachment along with the Dremel Workstation (eventually) as well as the Dremel 16 pc Polishing kit. I feel that this should prove to be a formidable opponent to rust, pitting and so on. I know how a lot of you feel about using power tools for sanding and such on straights, but it is my opinion that if you take it slow and are vary careful you will be allright (but we'll see, yes?

)

I like the flex shaft attachment as it will allow me a greater amount of flexibility with the tool and also allow me to have a lot more control. This would also allow me to sit on the couch while watching Lord of the Rings (extended edition of course!) and sand away at low speeds as to not interrupt the movie

The workstation has a variety of uses to me, namely the drill press feature. Although it is certainly not up to par with a $400+ drill press machine, it should be able to tackle pins and wood holes no sweat, as I have complete faith in the Dremel. Also, it allows the Dremel to be mounted vertically and horizantally, essentially changing the Dremel into a "bench" grinder of sorts. Also, woodcraft sells longer sanding rods which should work the the Dremel (I think up to 3") which would allow even more room to work.

Lastly, the polishing kit should work just fine too. I plan on concocting a solution of vaseline or baby oil with a mix of crox powder and use that on the felt pads as my polishing compound, along with just a plain felt pad in between. Also, for sanding I plan on using a split mandrel such as found here

What are your thoughts on this? Does it seem like a good plan?

(I hope I dont get any of you in trouble with the SWMBO with these ideas

)

**PolsBirthday** · 07-29-2009, 08:35 PM

Sounds like fun, I got my dremel 300 rotary tool with a flex shaft and worm light and a case for 30 bucks because somebody returned their 95 dollar dremel without the pittance of bits/accessories it came with (probably like 20 bucks worth) So I bought a nice big set of bits and polishing wheels(almost 8x as much as what came with it originally) for 25 bucks on sale! score! $55 CAD total

On a business note, the flex shaft is really good for close work (though i don't use it for polishing since I like to mount my dremel for that) If you're doing any major restores, pick up a nice flapwheel bit, I had some good luck with one recently.

Soon I will see how the sanding drums fair in scale manufacture, though I might have to switch to the rounded end of my belt sander sooner or later...

**leighton** · 07-29-2009, 09:47 PM

I'll just let you know that if your planning on removing pitting with a dremel.... forget it. It polishes the pits pretty well, but will never remove them. You have to hand sand or live with wavyness in the blade.

Other than that, sounds good!

**sapito318** · 07-29-2009, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by leighton

I'll just let you know that if your planning on removing pitting with a dremel.... forget it. It polishes the pits pretty well, but will never remove them. You have to hand sand or live with wavyness in the blade.

Other than that, sounds good!

I can live with hand sanding pitting, that should be OK, but otherwise, I think I would like to stick with the Dremel to save my hands

.
Thanks for the encouragement folks, tips and suggestions are most welcome

**Fnord5** · 07-29-2009, 10:20 PM

Harbor freight has lots of "rotary tool" bits and bobs. Often lots cheaper than dremel branded stuff.

Oh, and WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES!
Does not matter what you are doing with it, wear them.

You can be polishing with a felt wheel, on your car(wont get thrown in your face by the dremel) and the polishing compound and bits of felt will fly off at incredible speed. Polishing compound and felt dust does not feel good in the eye sockets.

Cut-off wheels explode, no getting around it. I go through 3 about per razor. I have had the chunks bounce off my goggles.

**pmast** · 07-30-2009, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord5

Harbor freight has lots of "rotary tool" bits and bobs. Often lots cheaper than dremel branded stuff.

Oh, and WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES!
Does not matter what you are doing with it, wear them.

You can be polishing with a felt wheel, on your car(wont get thrown in your face by the dremel) and the polishing compound and bits of felt will fly off at incredible speed. Polishing compound and felt dust does not feel good in the eye sockets.

Cut-off wheels explode, no getting around it. I go through 3 about per razor. I have had the chunks bounce off my goggles.

No kidding!! I once had a piece of cut off wheel about the size of a half a grain of rice imbedded in my eye because I was in a hurry and only needed to do one small thing... It was no fun prying it out and thankfully it didn't have enough oomph to make it all the way though. I always wear glasses now.

**sapito318** · 07-30-2009, 09:43 AM

Fnord, Can you attest to the quality of the Harbor Freight stuff? I was looking at them as well, but was not sure if they would hold up to the job or not.

**Fnord5** · 07-30-2009, 09:48 AM

For consumables, the felt wheels, cutoff disks, yeah, just about as good as the branded stuff, but lot's cheaper.
Harbor freight is a disposable tool store. You buy a special tool for a certain project, and if it still works afterwords BONUS.

**blackfoot** · 07-30-2009, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord5

For consumables, the felt wheels, cutoff disks, yeah, just about as good as the branded stuff, but lot's cheaper.
Harbor freight is a disposable tool store. You buy a special tool for a certain project, and if it still works afterwords BONUS.

That is about right. For consumables, it's a great deal. Everything else, it just depends on the product and what you want. Rotary bits are fine, IMHO.

**sapito318** · 07-30-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord5

For consumables, the felt wheels, cutoff disks, yeah, just about as good as the branded stuff, but lot's cheaper.
Harbor freight is a disposable tool store. You buy a special tool for a certain project, and if it still works afterwords BONUS.

LOL, thats kinda what I thougth too. A friend of mine buys lots of tools from there but most of them only last for one project

Cool, I think I'll pick up a few parts from there. Thanks.

**Fnord5** · 07-30-2009, 10:56 AM

I've actually been thinking of getting a belt sander for scale work.

**blackfoot** · 07-30-2009, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord5

I've actually been thinking of getting a belt sander for scale work.

What about a detail sander? Some of the tips for that seem to be about the right size.

**Fnord5** · 07-30-2009, 11:01 AM

I mean for flattening, and shaping the scales. I have my dremel for any detail work

**sapito318** · 07-30-2009, 11:02 AM

I plan on using a regular belt sander, and by use of a jig will mount it upside down and clamp it down. Do a Google seach on "Inverted belt sander". Look in the google images too. Some pretty good examples, and they should be pretty simple to make.