Angle grinder as bowl sander?

[Bill Bolen]

I’m thinking about buying an inexpensive angle grinder from Home Depot to use as a bowl sander. Don’t quite know if they have any kind of kit available to install the pad or extend its reach for deeper pieces. What kind of set-up do you use? Any recommendations for an inexpensive system?
Thasnks...Bill

[Greg Savage]

Bill....Lots to consider here....How will you attach the sanding pad?....RPMs may be a little high......Lots of noise!......I use mostly shop rolls torn into @8 inch lengths and fold them in half to keep the heat off of my fingers (This is a Neanderthal method, I know, but it works well for me).....Or, I use a sanding pad with the velcro head on a cheap DeWalt drill. A drill would be more versatile.....and you can add extender to your sanding pad. I don't think that I would recommend the angle grinder as a sander.

[George Tokarev]

Too fast. Makes disaster too easy to come by. I would go slower, do in fact, using a 1725 motor powering a flex shaft. Not heavy, not too aggressive, and certainly not noisy.

[Brian Myers]

HF has a 3" velcro pad kit that fits angle grinders, but the speed is too fast . Best bet is a variable speed angle drill with 2" velcro pad. Easier to control plus you can get a 1" and 3" pad if needed later. Check here for a nock off of the Soiux drill. http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1529930

[Bill Bolen]

Thanks all! I didn't consider the speed. That sioux set up at overstock seems to be the one. Should work fine with my 2" pads. Appreciate it!
Bill

[Rick Levine]

Bill,

You might want to consider this one also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93629