The cost will depend on whether you only buy 1, a set, with or without belts, range of grits (80G, 120G, 180G, 240G, 320G, 400G and/or 600G).
Now don’t get me wrong, while some of yuze will look upon this as a JJ alternative (NO... no one can replace JJ), I didn’t post this in competition of his Philmore, as in my opinion anything that requires a thin, small, deep tool to reach in, in order to clean up a tiny spot, would not be visible/focusable, even by a sober, human, non-bionic eye… so why waste valuable drinking time.
For the metrics (as opposed to the glorious metric system), the belt is 6mm wide, with the tool adding another 0.5mm to the width and has a reach of approx. 15.925mm… just a tad too long to accurately measure with my 150mm digital calliper… even after some smart-rrrs suggested Io invoke its dreaded imperial setting.
The best use of this tool is primarily to get into those narrow thin openings and sand down thin, delicate surfaces normally hard to get at, even with my magical Rotex.
The sander consists of two spring loaded “halves” (well, actually not halves, but approx.. 2/3 and 1/3 proportionate lengths depending on you viewing angle,
otherwise 1/3 and 2/3)
that stretches the thin sanding belt tight on expanding the previously compressed spring… only mentioned this as there were no formal written instructions and I couldn’t read the fine print on the paperwork I inadvertently discarded with the packaging.
There is no movement of the belt while being used, and whether you need a fresh surface or not, can be rotated around the frame’s perimeter with a thumb push (or any other 9 fingers, 10 toes or whatever appendage(s) the user decides to use)… or even a similar inverse pull with the appropriate similar body part.
I was introduced to them while landlubbering on my version of The Bounty,
and not masticating on a ,
back in 2000, so the one in the first top pictured has endured 25+ years of duck shit, though I confess to negating the consideration that it’s the original belt.
Since then I have discovered it comes in multiple grits with a different coloured holder for each grit,
and I have stocked up on them
in my pursuit of the optimum sanding arsenal.
The tip will get into long narrow tight spots, but it’s surface is so small that only a few strokes would require a movement… preferably of the sand belt and not the one around your waist.
For all you techno heads, the non pointy end, has a diameter of 10.16mm naked, and 11.11mm loaded… so if you want to sand a perfect 11.11mm dia. round hole, this is the precise tool for you.
Belt changing is a two handed operation, however, it’s ease of mounting will bring a Cheshire's smile to any drum-sander owner’s face.
Sitting at my computer at 12:15am drafting out this review, I morbidly felt the impulse to conduct an autopsy on my original stick vs one of the newbies. On examining the two side by side,
it can be seen that considerable material has been saved on the newbie one (on top in the picture) with probably the caveat that it is lighter and thereby easier to use, however, I call bullshit as it was saving material so they can jack up the price… of course that makes sense.
There is also a noticeable difference in length by approximately 3.973mm (that decimal fraction must be some morbid imperial conspiracy). This seems to be at the expense of a shorter and weaker spring... attension a tension… with the strength of the original’s spring requiring that extra pressure to compress enough for the fitment of the belt.
I then noticed the original was stamped with “Patent Pending”…
the new one probably had the “Patent Plagiarised by China” imprintfiled off... which is what scored the 4* (-1*) in the review.
FYI all you mathematicians… it had me going, but AI informed me that is the correct spelling of this "filing" procedure,
If you decide to purchase one of these, I recommend you buy a circa 2020 version.
If nothing more, yazall have learn how to spell "filing" correctly unless you are doing paperwork… then FIIK!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Another fine and well appreciated product teardown Duck! Any way to attach a motor to that and get a mini belt sander?
Currently I just use small sticks (popsicle or tongue depressors), lay them side by side and slap on some PSA grit to the lot. I then separate them with exacto knife cuts between the sticks. Shop floor and benches are littered with them but one is always lurking near by. Handy items those mini sanding sticks (either metric or imperial!)
Currently I just use small sticks (popsicle or tongue depressors), lay them side by side and slap on some PSA grit to the lot. I then separate them with exacto knife cuts between the sticks. Shop floor and benches are littered with them but one is always lurking near by. Handy items those mini sanding sticks (either metric or imperial!)
In my household tongue depressors are big planks... will not fess up whether that's for SWMBO or me, for fear of death.
I used to eat popsicles by the dozens just for the sticks and also used them with thin strips of sand paper glued to it... However, I often found that I mainly use the tip, or the first 20.32mm end length of both ends and the middle was wasted. Cutting the tip off left a ragged edge that I sanded down with the tip of another popsicle, also wearing it down... and the loop goes on.
With these, I just roll the belt and get a new "tip" surface.
At my age, my second favourite word, after "vino" is "convenience"... just before my next favourite word which is prefixed by "Inconti", that being "nence"!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I have the same issue (worn tips), but just lop off 19.05mm with some shears.
I'd love a gaggle of these belt fed sticks, but with a drawer of rarely/never used measurement thingys, I need to preset a frugal face or SWMBO will assume anything goes equipment wise for what can be done at a much lower price point (like using a high dollar chisel to open a can of 15 year old, half used latex)
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