[StringSlap]

Hit a couple of antique and thrift stores today. Grabbed this 1/2" - 2" sanding drum set for $5. Also scored these two boards for less than $5 to make frames. Any thoughts as to the types of wood? The small piece was some sort of a display. The grain looks like oak but I didn't think oak would be dark all the way through? Could it be walnut? Included a pic of the edge grain. Thanks!

 

[cromag]

Good score , I agree. Walnut runs about $12/ft here

 

[Tree Man]

I believe the small piece is walnut,and for some reason I'm thinking the larger piece is mahogany, but the color is off. Hmmm....

 

[ffastfzr]

I think the larger piece is teak, and the smaller is probably walnut.

 

[Ibojoe]

Great score! The one is definitely walnut and I’m with Chris, mahogany on the other. You got a steal on the drums. I use those all the time and they are a bit pricey.

 

[Cass]

Very nice pick!! I miss going to look for stuff.

 

[ffastfzr]

I used to use the drums myself, but I treated myself to the Wen portable oscillating variable speed spindle sander recently. Not the benchtop version, the small one. I think I paid $50 for it on Amazon. It obviously doesn't have the power of the benchtop version, but it really does have a very decent amount of power. The best part is that it comes with two clamps that you can use to mount it to the edge of a workbench or table with the spindle up. And it has a dust port that works pretty well. I absolutely love it.

It does have a few drawbacks:

It has a odd length spindle, so unless you buy Wen sleeves you'll have to trim them down to fit. I cut them down with my bandsaw, and all is good. Also the 1/2" is used directly on the metal spindle, so it has a tendency to slip rather easily. The 3/4" 1" and 1 1/2" all have rubber drums, so they slip much less.

It's well worth the $50 in my mind. Adequate power for most small jobs, and takes up only a little space. FYI: I've ground wood, stabilized wood, g10, micarta and aluminum with it. You have to go gently and let the grit do it's work, but I've had good results with all of the above.

 

[StringSlap]

I used to use the drums myself, but I treated myself to the Wen portable oscillating variable speed spindle sander recently. Not the benchtop version, the small one. I think I paid $50 for it on Amazon. It obviously doesn't have the power of the benchtop version, but it really does have a very decent amount of power. The best part is that it comes with two clamps that you can use to mount it to the edge of a workbench or table with the spindle up. And it has a dust port that works pretty well. I absolutely love it.

It does have a few drawbacks:

It has a odd length spindle, so unless you buy Wen sleeves you'll have to trim them down to fit. I cut them down with my bandsaw, and all is good. Also the 1/2" is used directly on the metal spindle, so it has a tendency to slip rather easily. The 3/4" 1" and 1 1/2" all have rubber drums, so they slip much less.

It's well worth the $50 in my mind. Adequate power for most small jobs, and takes up only a little space. FYI: I've ground wood, stabilized wood, g10, micarta and aluminum with it. You have to go gently and let the grit do it's work, but I've had good results with all of the above.

I was looking at that Wen spindle sander. I may go for it or just spend a bit more and get the Bauer 4" oscillating belt/spindle table top.

 

[ffastfzr]

I used to use the drums myself, but I treated myself to the Wen portable oscillating variable speed spindle sander recently. Not the benchtop version, the small one. I think I paid $50 for it on Amazon. It obviously doesn't have the power of the benchtop version, but it really does have a very decent amount of power. The best part is that it comes with two clamps that you can use to mount it to the edge of a workbench or table with the spindle up. And it has a dust port that works pretty well. I absolutely love it.

It does have a few drawbacks:

It has a odd length spindle, so unless you buy Wen sleeves you'll have to trim them down to fit. I cut them down with my bandsaw, and all is good. Also the 1/2" is used directly on the metal spindle, so it has a tendency to slip rather easily. The 3/4" 1" and 1 1/2" all have rubber drums, so they slip much less.

It's well worth the $50 in my mind. Adequate power for most small jobs, and takes up only a little space. FYI: I've ground wood, stabilized wood, g10, micarta and aluminum with it. You have to go gently and let the grit do it's work, but I've had good results with all of the above.

I was looking at that Wen spindle sander. I may go for it or just spend a bit more and get the Bauer 4" oscillating belt/spindle table top.

If you have the room, go for the tabletop. Especially the type that you are looking at that can either use the individual spindles or a belt. I don't have the room currently for a benchtop so that's why I went for the portable version.

That said, I don't know if that design has enough power when using the belt. If that matters to you, I'd consider getting something that's a 4x36 belt with a 6 inch disk on the side. Much more power transferred to the belt directly, and the belt is longer. You don't get the oscillating feature, but I don't know how necessary that is with a belt. And then a standalone spindle, either the little wen I have or a dedicated benchtop. IF you went with the little Wen, the two separate tools would run you about what you would pay for the single Bauer unit. All depends on if you have more of a need for a good spindle sander or a good belt sander. I don't think you can get one unit that does both really well, but I could be mistaken.

In the event you decide on the the belt/spindle benchtop, it looks like the Bauer is a rebranded Wen or vice versa. The Wen is actually a little cheaper on Amazon or at Home Depot then the Bauer at Harbor Freight, unless you have a coupon.

 

[StringSlap]

Now that I started working it, I'm pretty sure it is walnut. Drilling it leaves shavings that looks like shaved chocolate that I seem to recall from some other walnut in the past. Making a Chalice. It's a 3/4" board cut without a core, so I'll keep the bands light. Maybe a dedicated clay shooter? I might tackle my first core build with the other piece of wood.

 

[Palmettoflyer]

Steve, that chalice looks nice! Walnut has a unique smell that will usually give it away too.

 

[StringSlap]

Steve, that chalice looks nice! Walnut has a unique smell that will usually give it away too.

Funny you should say that, Monroe. When I was working with it I thought to myself "Doesn't smell like oak". Whatever it is, I just hope the finish comes out nice. Right now I'm leaning towards a Teak oil bath.

 

[StringSlap]

Went back to one of the stores and found this little ball peen hammer. Nothing special about it, but when I was a kid I would visit my grandparents in Florida every summer. My grandfather had a toolbox that I used to love playing with. In it was a hammer 100% exactly like this one. For some reason the image of that hammer has stuck with me all these years and I always thought it would be cool to find one. And now I did!

Oh yeah, I also finished the Chalice and will post it separately.

 

[Sandstorm]

I always love it when I run into little deals like that! Makes up for all the times I get.. well let’s just say it makes up for other times