Revolutionize Woodworking with Bowl Sander Tools

DIY Spinning Bowl Sander: A Simple and Effective Solution for Sanding Bowls

Whether you’re a woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, sanding is an essential step in creating a smooth and professional-looking finish. In this article, we’ll introduce the spinning bowl sander, a simple yet efficient tool for sanding bowls that can be easily made at home using basic materials. A video tutorial detailing the entire process can be found here, while a link to free downloadable templates for this project can be found in the video description. Let’s dive into the steps involved in making your own spinning bowl sander.

Requirements and Materials

Materials needed for building the sander include plywood, sandpaper, foam, velcro, bearings, bolts, nuts, washers, and glue. In addition to these basic materials, you will need several woodworking tools such as a drill, lathe, chisel, and Forstner bit, among others. The templates provided in the video description include detailed instructions on how to build the sander, so please refer to those for additional information.

Assembling the Spinning Bowl Sander

The first step is to cut and glue the plywood pieces together following the templates provided. Make sure to cut them roughly with about a 3-millimeter overhang for a smooth finish. While the glue dries, you can work on other parts of the process.

Creating the Sanding Pad

Draw a 50-millimeter circle on some more plywood and cut it out. To attach the pad on the arbor, you will need to embed a nut between two layers of plywood when gluing them together. Hammer the nut into a hole in the smaller circle, then glue the two pieces together.

Assembling the Arbor

The arbor is made of a bolt, two bearings (usually taken from rollerblade wheels), spacers, two nuts, and a thick washer that acts as a flange. Make sure to select a thick washer as it improves stability during use.

Drill holes to accommodate the bearings and make sure they fit snugly by adding a layer of tape around them if necessary. Assemble the arbor by placing the first bearing on one side, the second bearing on the other side, and then lock them using a nut. A spacer should be placed between the bearings to prevent them from locking when the nut is tightened. Finally, lock the second nut into the first nut to complete the assembly.

Attaching the Sanding Pad

The sanding pad can now be attached to the assembled arbor using a bolt and washer. Attach the pad to a lathe and sand it evenly as it spins, ensuring a smooth and flat front surface.

Preparing the Soft Pad and Velcro

Glue a piece of dense foam onto the sanded pad using high-quality foam glue. Trim the foam round then attach the high-quality velcro onto one side. The basic sanding part is now complete, and you can move on to creating the handle.

Creating the Handle

Make the handle using a scrap piece of hardwood, ensuring the front part matches the dimensions outlined in the templates. Carve out a square section for the carriage bolt to be locked in place, drill a hole for the locking screw, and sand the corners of the handle. Attach the handle to the arbor assembly and ensure it moves smoothly.

Creating and Using Sanding Discs

Buy pre-made hook-and-loop sanding discs or save money by creating them yourself using a hook-and-loop sandpaper roll. Cut out the desired disc sizes, then simply attach them to the velcro side of the soft pad.

The spinning bowl sander offers several advantages over traditional hand sanding. It creates a random pattern of sanding marks, preventing noticeable deep scratches. The continuous motion of the spinning sander also helps clear sanding dust more efficiently, reducing clogging, especially with higher grit sandpapers. Interchangeable dense, medium, and soft pads can be used to prepare for virtually any sanding job on a bowl.

Conclusion

A DIY spinning bowl sander is a simple, cost-effective, and efficient solution for sanding jobs on bowls. With this tool, you can achieve a professional finish without investing in expensive commercial sanding equipment. You can find the free templates in the video description, as well as links to online shops that offer the necessary materials for this project. Happy sanding!