There are various tools used for cutting and shaping wood. But when you’re designing something made out of wood, you need a tool for smoothing out the edges and the intricate parts. A spindle sander is that fantastic tool which allows the user to achieve a smooth finish without putting in much effort.
Uses and benefits of the spindle sander
A spindle sander is one of those fantastic tools which you can use for multiple purposes. Let’s explore some of the usages and benefits of spindle sander;
Flat surface for a tabletop: A smooth surface is the most challenging thing to achieve. Especially if the raw material is wood, you can undoubtedly use sandpaper, but it’s both time-consuming and difficult to use. Instead, if you use a spindle sander, it will save up so much time and also it will give you the perfect outcome.
Power saving: there are different types of sander machines available in the market. If you do your research, you will see that only spindle sander offers the range of ¼-½ hp, which is enough to complete your work.
Room for storage: A spindle sander usually has plenty of drums along with some insert plates and sleeves. The best part is, the machine itself has an area where you can store them. In this way, your surface will be clean and you’ll get some room to keep your other essential tools.
Used for Commercial projects: There are different kinds of spindle sander, one of them is the floor model. This type of sanders is heavy to carry but extremely useful for commercial projects. When you’re working on big projects, you will need a heavy weighted durable machine. Spindle sander floor model can be used for this type of work.
Portable spindle sander for smaller projects: Smaller projects like designing a single chair or a center table don’t need gigantic machines. Instead, you can use a portable handheld spindle sander. You can carry it anywhere you go without causing any hassle.
Smoothing curved edges: No matter what you are trying to build, if the material is wood, there will be curved edges. The truth is, nobody wants to buy a rough wooden craft. A spindle sander is the best tool to smoothen uneven parts. You can work in detail and flat out all the critical corners.
Time-efficient: Before the invention of spindle sander, people used sandpaper to smooth out the wooden projects’ rough bits. But nowadays, everyone uses spindle sander to do the job, because it’s extremely fast and budget-friendly. Sandpaper can take hours of manual labor; on the other hand, spindle sander will do the work in a blink of an eye without putting in any extra effort.
Erase saw marks: When you use a hacksaw to cut wooden materials, it leaves several marks around it. In order to get the perfect result, you will need to remove those spots. A spindle sander can help you get rid of those saw marks.
Evens out inside hole cuts: A spindle sander usually has drums wrapped with dusty sandpaper. Inside hole cuts tend to be difficult to smooth out. As the drums come in a cylindrical shape, you can quickly even out the rough bits of the inside holes.
Variety of drum’s diameter: Drums are the vital element of a spindle sander. These drums come in different sizes. The larger the size of the drum, the bigger the area you can cover using a sander machine. You can choose the diameter of the drums according to the size of your surface. This unique feature allows the user to work fast and effectively.
How to use spindle sander?
If you are seeing an uneven curve and wonder how to smooth it out, then it’s time to pick up the spindle sander. Spindle sander can be used for various purposes, starting from small DIY projects to big commercial projects.
Any wooden project is incomplete without the touch of a sander. You can use a surface sander, file sander, spindle sander, etc. But among all the sanders, spindle sander is the easiest one to use. Carefully read the following process and you’ll end up having your dream project.
1. Prepare for the project: Before you start using the sander, gather all the necessary types of equipment that you might need. You have to ensure that you are measuring all the safety elements while using the sander.
2. Spot the areas of your material: No matter how confident you are, make sure you always mark the spot you want to smoothen. Do not mark over your desired spot. Because once you even out of the area, you can’t go back. So make sure to measure every inch correctly. This will help you achieve an accurate outcome.
3. Select the correct diameter of the drum: The main element of a spindle sander is its rotating drum which is usually wrapped with sandpaper. The best part is, you will find a wide range when it comes to the diameter of these drums. You should always start with the smaller diameter because once you’ve smoothened the area, you can’t go back. If you are using a relatively more giant drum, you might overdo.
4. Make a slow and gentle move: To get an accurate outcome, make sure you go slowly. Sanding is just like art. You have to make longer strokes in order to get a smoother effect. You have to let the drum do its thing. Make sure that you are holding the wood correctly and you have a firm grip. If you loosen your grip, you might end up with the unwanted flat area. Follow the above steps and leave the rest to your sander.
Bottom line
A spindle sander can be one of the most essential and practical tools for you if you love to work with wooden projects. It will save a lot of time and effort for you. Besides, they are quite budget-friendly. Make sure to do your research if you are planning to buy a spindle sander.
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