How to Turn Your Router Into a Spindle Sander
Routers can make great sanders. They have a extremely high RPMs, which adapt well for delicate sanding chores. There are all kinds of attachments to turn your router into a sander, and all different sizes of grits are available. You don't even need a router table to use your router as a sander. It's easier to clamp your router upside down to the top of your worktable and then use the base of the router as a sander base.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Hand router
- Wrenches that came with router
- 2 Hand clamps
- Sanding drum, 1/2-by-2-inches
- Hammer
- Sanding sleeve, 1/2-by-2-inches, 100-grit
Instructions
-
-
1
Insert the shaft of the sanding drum into the router collett, where the router bits usually fit. Using the wrenches that came with the router, tighten the spindle sanding drum onto the router just as you would when putting in a router bit.
-
2
Slide the router base all the way toward the motor of the router until it bottoms out. It should be at the maximum depth if you had a router bit in place. Lock it down.
-
-
3
Turn the router upside down on your workbench. Clamp the router securely to the top of the worktable using the router handles to hook the jaws of the clamps across. The other end of the clamp jaws should extend underneath your worktable top.
-
4
Place the sanding sleeve on top of the sanding drum spindle. It should fit snugly. Tap it down with the hammer onto the sanding sleeve until it's flush with the top of the spindle.
-
5
Lay the workpiece to be sanded on the base of the router. Turn on the router and begin sanding.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A plunge or fixed base router will work as a spindle sander, but be sure to lock the plunge feature on a plunge router before clamping it to the table.
Always wear breathing and eye protection when working with wood.
References
- Photo Credit man using power tool image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
