# Woodworking and power tool peeps, can you tell me what happened here? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812 "2018-08-17T21:33:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/21 "2018-08-18T14:19:02Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I think I’m gonna have to. Along with [these here fuckers](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61wZbhLcnyL._SY463_.jpg) because this is a thing I’ll be doing now. So many ideas running in my head. Especially if I can get the resin to act like as I imagine. To think, I’ve had this Dremel for years and used it only to polish wire wrapping. I’m going to have to figure out what all the other bits and pieces do and how they work. > > What a neat tool for the power tool shy. And I owe it all to my 10 year old sander falling to pieces in my hand. Just keep in mind that the Dremel is a lightweight, light duty tool. It’s very easy to burn those bits if you try to force them too quickly into the work. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/22 "2018-08-18T14:46:02Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Just keep in mind that the Dremel is a lightweight, light duty tool. It’s very easy to burn those bits if you try to force them too quickly into the work. I, too, am a lightweight, light duty tool. Seriously, I’m old, frail and weak. Popsicle sticks are my high gear. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/23 "2018-08-18T16:51:37Z")
Dremmels can be dangerous because they are very high speed yet lightweight. The shafts can bend very easily and it will often throw the tool at very high speed. You have to be careful with how much pressure you put on them. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/24 "2018-08-18T16:58:24Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > OK, if you have a lot of material to remove, get a[cheap coping saw,](https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-coping-saw-with-high-carbon-steel-blade-60369.html) and use that to rough it to close to the final shape, than hand-sand (or use the Dremel carefully). Missed this. I have a jewelry saw, which looks exactly like that. I never got much use out of it because all I was able to do with it was snap the blade. So frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/25 "2018-08-18T21:47:40Z")
If you use a dremel get sanding drums. They are lot more controllable than burrs. A coarse grit like 40-50 will remove wood fast. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/26 "2018-08-18T21:52:39Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Missed this. I have a jewelry saw, which looks exactly like that. I never got much use out of it because all I was able to do with it was snap the blade. So frustrating. The key is: keep the blade really tight! If it bends as you cut, it either isn’t tight enough, or you are using too much pressure. A new blade should cut wood like butter - don’t force it, let the teeth do the work. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/27 "2018-08-19T05:29:29Z")
[I am disproportionately proud of this very simple popsicle pendant.](https://imgur.com/ZObs5Ap) Tea, vinegar and vegetable oil stained. Gonna make a nice wire wrap bail for it. Why this triangle of wood makes me so proud and happy, I’m not sure. Probably because I’m a bit crazy. So, so, soooooo loved using the Dremel on the glued sticks. They are soft and the Dremel is light and easy to move about, perfect for my weak, disabled shell of a body. I have also made a twisty pendant, am trying to see if I can make a wood ball topper and a fist to fill with resin. Tripolar, I have a 252 piece sanding drum kit in my sights. It’s only 13 bucks! Question for those who are familiar with these handheld rotary-type tools: The sanding bit? drum? stick? is a rubber nubbin that I pop the round sandpaper donut on. While in use, the sandpaper donut does not stay put on the rubber nubbin. It is loose and moves up and down in an infuriating fashion. Those sanding drums that you can buy, they are one stick with the sandpaper glued on, yes? If not, how do you get the sandpaper to not move on the drumstick? Please feel free to correct my made up terminology. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/28 "2018-08-19T05:39:31Z")
The rubber nubbin should have a screw with a washer on the end that you don’t put in the Dremel. When you get the sanding donut on the rubber nubbin, chuck it into your Dremel, lock the spindle(the little button that stops it from turning). Then tighten that screw. It’ll compress the rubber nubbin, making it expand and squeeze against the inside of the sanding donut, holding it in place. Once you’ve worn out the sanding donut, or want to use a different grit for fine/coarse work, loosen the screw and the rubber nubbin will shrink back to its normal size and release the sanding donut. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/29 "2018-08-19T05:42:34Z")
> [@mtgman](#): > > the rubber nubbin should have a screw with a washer on the end that you don’t put in the dremel. When you get the sanding donut on the rubber nubbin, chuck it into your dremel, lock the spindle(the little button that stops it from turning). Then tighten that screw. It’ll compress the rubber nubbin, making it expand and squeeze against the inside of the sanding donut, holding it in place. Once you’ve worn out the sanding donut, or want to use a different grit for fine/coarse work, loosen the screw and the rubber nubbin will shrink back to its normal size and release the sanding donut. > > Enjoy, > steven THANK YOU!!! exclamation point, please keep the all caps. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/30 "2018-08-19T05:48:31Z")
And if you ever want to talk to someone in a hardware store about any of this, the part that goes into the Dremel is called a shank(and most bits are sold by shank size, so this is important to know). The rubber nubbin is called a mandrel(and is also sold by size, Dremels are typically 1/2 inch). And the sanding donut is called a sanding band, and is sold by size(1/2" diameter) and grit counts(60, coarse, 120 medium, 300 fine, etc.). All together these form the mighty Voltron! Umm, I mean they form a “[sanding drum](https://www.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/tools/407-1-2-sanding-drum)” Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/31 "2018-08-19T18:05:55Z")
I know y’all been waiting with baited breath and, quite frankly, if your breath smells like bait you should do something about it-- [the finished Popsicle Pendant.](https://i.imgur.com/hLnQY6t.jpg) Thanks for all the help. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/32 "2018-08-19T18:14:32Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I know y’all been waiting with baited breath and, quite frankly, if your breath smells like bait you should do something about it-- [the finished Popsicle Pendant.](https://i.imgur.com/hLnQY6t.jpg) > > Thanks for all the help. Very nice! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/33 "2018-08-19T21:44:45Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Very nice! I’ll second that! The coil thingy is a very nice touch. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/34 "2018-08-20T10:59:41Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I know y’all been waiting with baited breath and, quite frankly, if your breath smells like bait you should do something about it-- [the finished Popsicle Pendant.](https://i.imgur.com/hLnQY6t.jpg) > > Thanks for all the help. It’s really nice. I have a couple of random recommendations I hope you might like: A normal DIY-grade power drill, coupled with a bench clamp something like [this](http://toolmonger.com/2009/02/24/clamp-your-drill-to-your-work-bench/), plus a selection of flap wheels and sanding discs, etc, can be enormously versatile - I use a setup like this for mostly larger stuff, but it is capable of very fine work - and clamping the drill in place means you have both hands free for much finer control of the workpiece. Danish Oil. I love that you used materials that you have available - it’s genuinely the best way to get started, but I just feel like you will love Danish Oil as a finish - it goes on easily with a rag, sponge or brush, cleans up easily, makes wood look lovely, and dries/hardens to a thin, smooth semi-glossy finish that looks really professional, and yet still natural. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/35 "2018-08-20T16:09:18Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It’s really nice. I have a couple of random recommendations I hope you might like: > > A normal DIY-grade power drill, coupled with a bench clamp something like [this](http://toolmonger.com/2009/02/24/clamp-your-drill-to-your-work-bench/), plus a selection of flap wheels and sanding discs, etc, can be enormously versatile - I use a setup like this for mostly larger stuff, but it is capable of very fine work - and clamping the drill in place means you have both hands free for much finer control of the workpiece. > > Danish Oil. I love that you used materials that you have available - it’s genuinely the best way to get started, but I just feel like you will love Danish Oil as a finish - it goes on easily with a rag, sponge or brush, cleans up easily, makes wood look lovely, and dries/hardens to a thin, smooth semi-glossy finish that looks really professional, and yet still natural. Agree on all that, especially about Danish Oil as a finish. Another good one that is not as well known is a German product called [Osmo](https://osmo-store.com/). It’s a combination of oils and wax that dries to a hard finish. The wax comes to the surface as it dries and then can be buffed to a nice shine. I finished an end table with it, and it has held up to daily use going on five years now. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/36 "2018-08-20T16:37:46Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > [This happened to my random orbital sander.](https://imgur.com/P2NRcb0) Wow, a very similar thing happened last week to my Porter-Cable random orbital sander - except in my case the vibrating part (some sort of high density foam rubber) just split horizontally. Maybe there is an orbital sander gremlin on the loose. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/37 "2018-08-20T17:12:27Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It’s really nice. I have a couple of random recommendations I hope you might like: > > A normal DIY-grade power drill, coupled with a bench clamp something like [this](http://toolmonger.com/2009/02/24/clamp-your-drill-to-your-work-bench/), plus a selection of flap wheels and sanding discs, etc, can be enormously versatile - I use a setup like this for mostly larger stuff, but it is capable of very fine work - and clamping the drill in place means you have both hands free for much finer control of the workpiece. > > Danish Oil. I love that you used materials that you have available - it’s genuinely the best way to get started, but I just feel like you will love Danish Oil as a finish - it goes on easily with a rag, sponge or brush, cleans up easily, makes wood look lovely, and dries/hardens to a thin, smooth semi-glossy finish that looks really professional, and yet still natural. My anti-virus will not let me look at the clamp. It is very insistent about this. Says it has some sort of html thingamawhosits. I will go off to gis flap wheel. I’m going to keep with the home finishing stuff for now because it’s fun to see what happens. Yesterday I tried turmeric. Well, not turmeric because I only had a very little bit of it but I have a whole lot of curry powder. I think I may be smelling very tasty for a while. Plus it gave the popsicles a lovely, mellow yellow tint. Ordered the sanding drum set (it was only $13 for over 200 pieces!) but I’m gonna try to not go too crazy spending money on this new thing I’m so enthusiastic about because, well, I don’t have crazy spending money. Plus, this all started because I wanted to try resin and I haven’t gotten any of the crap for that. That original wood/resin pendant is still in my head. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/38 "2018-08-20T19:41:50Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Wow, a very similar thing happened last week to my Porter-Cable random orbital sander - except in my case the vibrating part (some sort of high density foam rubber) just split horizontally. Maybe there is an orbital sander gremlin on the loose. Same thing happened to mine. That rubber base just fell apart. It was fairly old though. I assumed it was replaceable but this past weekend I went through a pile of power tools plugging each one in to make sure it still ran. The palm sander didn’t so it’s in the trash can now. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/39 "2018-08-20T19:48:28Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I know y’all been waiting with baited breath and, quite frankly, if your breath smells like bait you should do something about it-- [the finished Popsicle Pendant.](https://i.imgur.com/hLnQY6t.jpg) > > Thanks for all the help. Oooooh, that is NICE! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812/40 "2018-08-20T19:52:09Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > My anti-virus will not let me look at the clamp. It is very insistent about this. Says it has some sort of html thingamawhosits. I will go off to gis flap wheel. > > I’m going to keep with the home finishing stuff for now because it’s fun to see what happens. Yesterday I tried turmeric. Well, not turmeric because I only had a very little bit of it but I have a whole lot of curry powder. I think I may be smelling very tasty for a while. Plus it gave the popsicles a lovely, mellow yellow tint. > > Ordered the sanding drum set (it was only $13 for over 200 pieces!) but I’m gonna try to not go too crazy spending money on this new thing I’m so enthusiastic about because, well, I don’t have crazy spending money. Plus, this all started because I wanted to try resin and I haven’t gotten any of the crap for that. That original wood/resin pendant is still in my head. You’ll have fun working with the sanding drums. You would do better with a disk sander or a strip sander/disk combination. [The one from Harbor Freight](https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-x-30-in-belt-sander-61728.html) is usually on sale for under $50, basically the same thing as the Wen linked above. But clamping down a drill will work just as well for a sanding disk. You can also clean sanding drums, belts, disks, etc. The cleaner is a block of hard rubber similar to an art eraser. [Harbor Freight has one](https://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html), as do many hardware stores and woodworking suppliers. Wood doesn’t wear down sandpaper very much, it mainly clogs it up and you can use the same sanding tool for a lot longer by cleaning it. Any hard rubber eraser may work just as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-and-power-tool-peeps-can-you-tell-me-what-happened-here/819812.md?page=3)