Sorry for the small size, just couldn't make it larger. [You can enlarge the image by holding down the "Ctrl" key on your computer keyboard and then tapping the "+" key, located just to the left of the "Backspace" key. To return to normal size, tap the "_" key just to the left of the "Plus" key]. This was printed in Chip Chats carving magazine a long time ago, also here on the forum, but I think it may help some new people.
For portable use I cut about 4" of all thread rod and stack the sanding strips on it in the manner shown, securing them with a washer and nut on each side. I use it in a 1/2" variable speed drill from Harbor Freight [aprox. $30]. Make up a couple in different grits. Besides working great, they're FREE.

I recently used my router speed control [$20 Harbor Freight] to cut the speed on my angle grinder for close detail work.

When carving a smaller horizontal log for a "Bear in a Log", I was having trouble securing it. What I did was secure a 2"x6" to a bench, having it hang out a bit. Then I secured the log to it with a heavy duty black rubber tie down strap with the metal hook ends you can buy at the auto supply or hardware stores. Hope these tips can help other carvers. Jim

It's pretty dangerous to put things we make our selves on power tools with no speed control. You make a good point by mentioning a couple times that you use variable speed tools for these, i have tried home made fittings on a full size bench grinder, as shown in the picture, and luckily I was ready for things to go flying. I flicked the switch on for about two seconds, and all hell broke loose. I would not try this on ay big high powered tools with no speed controls.

I was using this on a 1750 RPM bench grinder motor, good point. I hadn't thought of that before. 3400 RPM would have been to fast.

I get my sandpaper for the flapwheels from cabinet shop sanding belts, they throw them out. They are slill good for flapwheels and free.

The belts need to be the cloth back type.


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http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/
http://harnettdesigns.com/

It's fun to experiment,if you have a good guess of the out come..... in one shop we had a rebar bender, with 6,000 lb.s of bending force, and we would over load it with short pieces, and duck. We put some pieces through a block wall. We used to throw all kinds of stuff in wood chippers. I have had die grinders that I was unaware that the shaft was bent, and when you turn them on it's litterally like holding a stick of dynamite in your hands. THe occasional runaway grinder, with the sticky on switch, that comes on the second you plug it into the wall. I wasn't a very smart kid, it's a wonder I didn't get electrocuted at an early age, i have had many near misses trying things I shouldn't have been trying, like throwing paint cans in the fire, trying to run a chainsaw on straight propane, plugging a 15" speaker into a 120 volt out let. I grabbed a spark pulg wire one time while the motor was running, learned about horse power, and amperage, after it put me face first into the ground..... I learned a lot around the age of ten, then I guess I started to smarten up, or some thing....