Angle Sander Recommendation?

[Wes Henson]

Sadly my 55-degree angle drill I used for power sanding died.
What would people recommend for a power sander?
I'm thinking electric because my only air power is a small Harbor Freight compressor that is crazy-loud.
I'm almost thinking getting a cheap 3/8 angle drill off Amazon for about $40 and hoping it lasts a few years.

Any thoughts would be great.
Thank You
Wes

[Dwight Rutherford]

I have been using a Harbor Freight 3/8” variable speed close quarters drill for years. $30.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-...ill-60610.html

[Dave Bunge]

I've also been using Harbor Freight 3/8" close quarters drill for years. I have one like Dwight linked. I also have their model with keyless chuck. It costs a little more, but is convenient when changing mandrels. https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-...uck-63119.html

[Mike Goetzke]

I've also been using Harbor Freight 3/8" close quarters drill for years. I have one like Dwight linked. I also have model with keyless chuck. I costs a little more, but is convenient when changing mandrels. https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-...uck-63119.html

+1 But mine is blue/gray.

I made my own sanding pads based on info I got here and at a local turning club (Bob B.). I have 8 ea. 2" & 3" with variable stiffness pads. I bought the pad holders (https://www.amazon.com/HYCC-Sanding-...%2Bholder&th=1 - wow I pad about 1/2 this price) and use the 1/4" straight shank and can change pads in seconds with this drill.

Mike

[Richard Dooling]

I have been looking at the 55* angle drill that Ken Rizza sells at Woodturners Wonders. Looks to be well made and Ken is a great guy. I met him at a recent symposium.

He also has a small ROS that I think my compressor can handle.

https://woodturnerswonders.com/collections/unique-tools/products/angle-drill

[Richard Coers]

I like the variable angle Bosch cordless. https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/bos...view-134488-p/

[Dennis Ford]

I have worn out a few of the 55 deg drills and one of the Harbor Freight tools listed above. The Harbor Freight drill seemed to last longer but is less comfortable to use.

[John Keeton]

I don’t do a lot of power sanding, but in the 9 years I have been turning a Neiko sander lasted 7 years and I opted for the HF unit referenced as a replacement. It seems durable and functional, but I would agree with Dennis that it isn’t quite as comfortable to use as the Neiko. I don’t find that a hindrance, but again, I don’t use it that much.

i do think blowing dust out of any of them after each use is critical for extended life.

[Jack Tyree]

I have used and abused a Milwaukee for about 10 years and the only problem I've had with it was the trigger switch went wonky. The nice part is that just about any reputable electric motor repair shop stocks or can get parts for them and they're reasonable to repair rather than replace. Downside though is that it's on the heavy side.

[Bill Blasic]

Another point out for Woodturners Wonders, the best I have ever used.

[Pat Scott]

I use the keyless chuck angle head drill from The Sanding Glove. https://www.thesandingglove.com/Angle-Head-Drills.asp

My first one from them lasted maybe 10 years before the gears wore out. I bought a replacement drill with standard chuck and then swapped over the keyless chuck to the new drill (and saved $30). Works great.

I like the new drill from Woodturners Wonders with metal gears but wish it had a keyless chuck. I asked Ken if he had plans to sell one like that and he said they were looking into it but thought the keyless chuck might be too big. I don't know how it could be since my drill is just fine with a keyless. Maybe he's getting a keyless chuck from a different place than Sanding Glove.

[John K Jordan]

I do almost no heavy power sanding and haven't used my close quarters drill for years (except to drill some holes!). However, I do use gentle power sanding with fine grits, usually no coarser than 320 or maybe 220 on occasion, mostly 400 and finer. (I do most smoothing with hand scrapers so not much sanding is needed. If interested in this, send me a note and I'll point you to something I wrote about this.)

For my use, nothing beats the pneumatic random orbital sanders. I have a couple of the Grex models with 1" and 2" sanding pads and a palm sander with 3" pads. I sand off the lathe, never with the work spinning.

grex_ROS.jpg sanding_IMG_20171212_094330_319.jpg

The beauty of these is they can be used at very low speeds and the random action makes a beautiful surface, much like hand sanding. The downside is you need a reasonably-sized air compressor. My compressor is also crazy loud (a 5hp 60 gal) but I built a closet for it and the cyclone dust collector. I put a loud compressor outside at a previous shop with a roof to protect it from rain.

BTW, the angled drills may last longer if you clean out the dust often.

JKJ

Sadly my 55-degree angle drill I used for power sanding died.
What would people recommend for a power sander?
I'm thinking electric because my only air power is a small Harbor Freight compressor that is crazy-loud.
I'm almost thinking getting a cheap 3/8 angle drill off Amazon for about $40 and hoping it lasts a few years.

Any thoughts would be great.
Thank You
Wes