Types of drill attachments for sanding wood

by Alexey | Tools Tips Decor Workshop | Tuesday, August 03, 2021

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Sanding is the first step in preparing wood for painting or varnishing. These secrets will help you polish your projects like a pro.

Excellent appearance begins with sanding the wood. Wood that is not sanded properly may have scratches or imperfections on the surface of the finished project.

What kind of sandpaper grit is there?

When we look at packs of sandpaper, we see words like coarse, medium, and fine . We will also see numbers such as 80, 100, 150 and 220. What do these words and numbers mean?

Sandpaper is rated by its coarseness. In other words, how aggressively or quickly it removes material. Coarse sandpaper will quickly remove a lot of material but leave a rough surface. Medium-grit sandpaper removes less material more slowly and produces a smoother surface.

We will see numbers such as 80, 100, 150 and 220. The lower the number, the faster more material is removed and the surface remains rougher. The higher the number, the less material is removed more slowly and the surface becomes smoother.

Advantages of drill attachments

The main advantage of using them is purchasing a multifunctional tool. This allows you to save a lot of money, since there is no need to purchase other devices for wood processing. The grinding attachments for the drill themselves are not expensive at all.

You can’t ignore the variety of attachments. They are presented in such a wide range on the market that they can replace any processing tool and perform work of varying complexity. Some of them require some skill.

Drill attachments

An important advantage is ease of use. You can choose exactly the model that will cope with a specific task better than others. There are special varieties for processing hard-to-reach places and small parts.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting lower productivity than that of specialized grinding machines. In addition, the use of many attachments requires experience - using them is not so easy, and sometimes not very convenient. But, despite the disadvantages, the advantages still prevail, and the invention is in great demand.

How to sand wood?

We start with a more aggressive sandpaper and gradually move to a less aggressive sandpaper grit.

For example, I will start sanding with 80-grit sandpaper if the wood I'm working with has nicks or the project has poorly fitting joints.

If my project does not have grooves or poorly fitting seams, I will start sanding with 100 grit sandpaper. Then move to 120 grit sandpaper once the piece is completely sanded with 100 grit sandpaper. I usually finish sanding with 120 grit sandpaper.

Conclusion

Thanks to the large number of woodworking attachments available, the drill is one of the most functional tools. It especially makes sense to use all kinds of tips in cases where the need to process wooden parts arises only from time to time. Of course, for frequent and especially professional work, it is necessary to purchase separate tools.

Read also: Homemade torque wrench from a pressure gauge

You can get some additional information on the topic discussed above from the video in this article.

The use of special devices clamped in the chuck of this power tool makes it truly multifunctional. For example, you can even cut sheet iron with it. Considering the variety of drill attachments for woodworking, it is unrealistic to go into detail about each of them in one article. We will deal only with attachments that allow using a drill to perform high-quality and quick surface mechanical processing of wood.

What is it? Preliminary cleaning of the surface (rough), removal of burrs, grinding and bringing to a mirror shine (polishing). All other technological operations with wood - milling, drilling, screwing in fasteners, cutting - do not belong to the concept of “processing”. This is what the author proceeds from. The difference in the listed types of work in relation to attachments is in the rotation speed of the drill chuck and the type of device. Which one to choose is decided mainly based on the required degree of processing of the tree and its species (that is, the density of the structure).

Don't play chase while sanding wood

Another lesson I've learned over the years is to sand parts on a non-slip surface. In our case, this is a rubber mat on the workbench, which minimizes the “chase game”.

Sure, the pieces still move around a little, but it doesn't compare to working without a mat. The mat also protects our workpieces from dried glue and debris on the workbench.

Making your own nozzle

Homemade devices allow you to save money, but this is not the main reason that makes people make things with their own hands. It often happens that you don’t have a nozzle of the required shape and rigidity at hand, and you can’t find a similar thing in the nearest stores. In such cases, you can make the instrument at home.

Based on Automotive Valve

To build a nozzle for sanding wood, you need several valves from the machine, or at least one. Their bottom should be flat. If you need a large product, use a release valve from a truck.

Manufacturing is carried out in several steps:

Automotive valve

• the valve surface is degreased;
• take a head of the required size - it can be rubber, foam, wood, or other dense material;
• parts are glued together with epoxy or polyurethane glue;
• a circle is cut out of sandpaper with a diameter equal to the width of the base together with the roundings;
• cuts are made along the entire circumference from the edge to the center, but not reaching it;
• the resulting petals are superimposed on each other along the direction of movement of the attachment in the drill and secured;
• the resulting sandpaper cup is glued to the base, and the edges are secured with staples.

For the most productive work, it is worth making several attachments of different sizes and degrees of paper grain.

A simple screw device

To make it you will need a long screw, sandpaper, a nut and two washers.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• put a washer on the screw;
• cut the sandpaper into square pieces;
• Make a hole in the center of all the pieces and thread them onto a screw;
• put the second washer on top;
• secure the entire structure with a nut.

The device can process cavities of wooden products. The disadvantage of this method is that when secured in the drill chuck, the thread becomes jammed, which makes replacing the sanding paper problematic.

Pencil is the main assistant

Can't remember where you sanded and where you didn't? Draw light lines across the surface and then sand them until they disappear. You will sand the entire surface without missing any areas. The finer the grit, the lighter the pencil lines should be. It takes forever to sand out dark lines with fine grit.

Advantages and weaknesses

Many manufacturers produce sanding attachments, but not all make sure that the product is reliable.

In competition, preference is given to making products cheaper, so quality suffers.

A third-rate tool will not last long, so you should not focus on the minimum cost. Although the price of high-quality attachments may vary significantly, such a purchase will still be less expensive than purchasing a special tool. Let's pay attention to some criteria.

Advantages

1. In some cases, only with the help of this device can you sand a hard-to-reach surface area.
2. Convenient for cleaning small parts.
3. Devices for an electric drill are cheaper than specialized tools and accessories.
4. You can make many sanding attachments yourself.

Flaws

1. The device is less convenient to use than a specialized tool.
2. You won't be able to work with some attachments without some skill.
3. Poor performance.
4. Sometimes you can’t do without a drill with adjustable chuck rotation speed.

Since the benefits are more significant, the attachments are popular and used by many people.

Where can it be used

Depending on the type of sanding attachment you purchase, you can use it to:

• clean metal from rust;
• remove paint from iron;
• polish metal;
• polish painted surfaces;
• polish wood parts exposed with varnish;
• polish glass;
• grind the edge of the glass;
• grind small parts;
• remove scale, burrs from metal and correct other defects in places where it is not possible to do this with another tool;
• perform grinding of products in places where grinding cannot be done with another tool.

This is an incomplete list that could be expanded.

Markings on sanding discs

Velcro sanding discs are great for sanding jobs and you can use them several times before they wear out. But it's almost impossible to read the markings on discs after you've used them once because the markings wear off. Whenever you open a new pack of CDs, use a permanent marker to write a gritty number on the back.

Types of grinding devices

The grinding attachment for a drill is made according to the same principle as replaceable blocks for polishing machines. The only difference is in the installation - the drill is connected to additional equipment using a pin for fastening, while specialized machines use a thread.

Their shapes and designs are varied and adapted for different types of work. Based on this feature, they can be classified into several groups.

Sanding wood with a drill attachment

Plate

A round nozzle with a flat base on which sandpaper is glued. The main difficulty in working with this tool is the need to hold the drill at a right angle to the surface, which is not always possible. Because of this, defects appear on the wood. To reduce the risk of damage to products, it is better to choose rubber attachments rather than plastic ones. Also, when purchasing, you need to make sure that there is a soft layer between the base and the sanding coating.

This attachment for sanding wood is used in the process of preliminary or finishing processing - it depends on its hardness and grain size. For ease of use, variations are available with the ability to adjust the angle of inclination.

Cup

This bowl-shaped variety helps remove old paint from the surface, sand the wood and bring out its texture. For each type of work you can find a special brush. When processing wood, metal ones release its fibers.

Therefore, after using it, you should sand the surface using a plate attachment, then you can apply a layer of paint or varnish. The natural wood grain will stand out on the product. The soft-filled cup attachment is convenient for cleaning and fine polishing.

Disk

Their device resembles a cup nozzle. But they have one feature - the bristles are directed from the center of the disk to its edges. Interaction with the surface occurs by the end method. They are also similar to the fan variety, when the blades are installed parallel to the base.

Their main purpose is to treat hard-to-reach places and remove old finishes. Using them requires some experience and dexterity, so it’s better to practice on an unnecessary product.

Drums

Such grinding attachments for drills are made in the form of cylinders, on the side surface of which sanding paper is glued. They are used for stripping wood, metal or glass. Most often they are used for sanding holes inside and for the end parts of the product.

Fan

They can also be called petal. This attachment is a grinding disk on which many blades are installed along the entire plane. They are petals of sandpaper; other abrasive material can also be used.

There is another variety, which is made in the shape of a cylinder, and the petals are fixed along the entire side surface of the drum. Such drill attachments are convenient for processing wooden parts of complex shapes.

Soft

They are used where gentle polishing is required. Such attachments are made of foam rubber, leather, felt or twisted rope. Suitable for processing varnished or painted products, as well as for removing dirt on surfaces that are sensitive to abrasion.

Face Grinding Wheel

This is a grinding stone made in the shape of a ball, cylinder or cone. There are variations made from soft material. It is most advisable to use it on small parts, in hard-to-reach places.

The abrasive attachment on the drill is used for metal and glass products. The principle of operation is like a file, only because of the speed, productivity increases.

Soft polishing discs are needed for finishing the product.

Mechanized wood sanding

Handmade is appreciated. But when using the simplest means of mechanization, wood processing occurs faster. The most widely used for grinding various materials are elastic supports for electric drills (Fig. 6) and angle grinders (Fig. 7) with Velcro. Somewhat later, manufacturers of supports began to sell a similar universal support (Fig. 8).

Rice. 6 Elastic support with Velcro for electric drill

Rice.
7 Elastic support with Velcro for an angle grinder (grinder) Important! When using such a support on an angle grinder, you should not press it too hard against the surface being treated. The speed of the working body is high, wood burning is possible

Rice.
8 Universal elastic support with Velcro for an electric drill or angle grinder When working with such mechanical equipment, safety rules must be strictly observed.

1. A lot of wood dust is generated, so a respirator and glasses will protect your vision and breathing.
2. Gloves with a rubber working surface will protect the worker’s hands.
3. It is advisable to wear an apron, then it is easier to shake out the dust from your clothes.

Special grinding wheels are available for working with elastic support (Fig. 9). They are installed and removed in one motion.

Rice. 9 Replacement abrasive wheels for power tools

Types of grinding work

The versatility of the drill and the variety of attachments allow it to be used for:

• polishing metal, wood products, glass, paint and varnish coatings;
• stripping metal from corrosion and old paint (preparing the base);
• grinding metal, wood products, glass edges;
• cleaning scale, burrs, sagging on metal, wood, concrete.

This is just a small list of jobs for which you can use an electric drill and specialized components.

In fact, if any difficulties arise, this tool is simply necessary.

Classification of attachments for wood processing

Prices are indicative, in relation to the Moscow region, in Russian rubles

By type of abrasive

• Hard fabric.
• Foam rubber.
• Plastic.
• Sandpaper of different grain sizes.
• Rubber.
• Cord brush.

According to the degree of wood processing

• Abrasive (rough).
• Grinding.
• Polishing pads (soft and super-soft pads).

By execution

Depending on the configuration, the attachments are used not only for surface treatment of wood. They can be used to grind (polish) holes (as a replacement for a sander). This is easy to do with cylindrical (thin) or conical devices.

Plate attachments

Available in several modifications. The difference is in the form of abrasive material. If wood sanding is required, then it is rubber (the more preferable option) or plastic. For polishing, it is advisable to purchase attachments with fine-grained sandpaper fixed on the working part. They can achieve higher quality (fine) wood processing.

Recommendation: Effective processing of wood with a plate-type drill attachment is difficult because it is difficult to hold the drill in a strictly vertical position. To achieve a good result, it is advisable to fix the tool and move the workpiece relative to the working part. The machine for attaching the drill is easy to assemble yourself.

There are nozzles on sale that provide for adjusting the angle of the abrasive mounting pin. But they are quite expensive, and not every store can buy them. Therefore, a machine with the ability to change the position of the drill is a more acceptable solution.

Drum attachments

Mainly used for processing the end parts of wooden workpieces and holes. They have a cylindrical shape and differ in the way the sanding tape is attached - using a bolt or special inflatable blocks. Some types of attachments of this type are also used in everyday life for plucking (at low speed) birds when it comes to a large amount of work.

Cup attachments

The assortment is significant. The differences are in size and abrasive material. These can be either metal “hairs” (hard wire) or thick fabric, leather, felt and even foam rubber. The choice of device is determined by the desired degree of wood processing. If you want to achieve a sharper highlighting of the texture of the material, then the wood pulp is sampled using just such attachments.

A variety of devices in this group are disk attachments. The difference is clear from the figure (the villi are located diametrically).

This type of attachment can also include fan devices. They are also called petal.

The main purpose is to polish wood at the final stage of processing.