power belt file?
- Thread starter sunnybob
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loftyhermes
Established Member
I have an old B&D power file that I bought off a car boot that I use mainly for shaping my scroll work. It uses 13 x 457mm belts, which I cut from belt sander belts of the same length, though they're not dear if you want to buy 20 - 25 of the same grit. I can't remember the last time I changed the belt. To shape these noses only took a few minutes. Also handy in wide mortices or when fitting door locks, so I'm informed.
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I found a FERM that looks like a bargain, but as I have no experience with them....
I am confused though, they advertise an 8 mm arm as well as the 13 mm. But I can not find 8 mm belts. Surely you dont have to cut down 13 mm ones?
I am confused though, they advertise an 8 mm arm as well as the 13 mm. But I can not find 8 mm belts. Surely you dont have to cut down 13 mm ones?
AES
Established Member
I have the B&D one sunnybob. 1st, IMO, "powerfile" is a silly name for it, because as a file I tried it briefly, and frankly, while it does remove metal, you could do better (and more accurately) with a blunt tooth brush! (OK, slight exaggeration, but not by too much)!
BUT I bought it for a specific job, namely sanding down the (concave in 2 directions) insides of the front wings of an MG TC 2 seater kids "sports" pedal car (mix of laminated ply glued with hard-drying waterproof powder glue and epoxy filler). They're over 1 metre long and about 60 mm wide at their widest point and included steel mounting brackets internally.
For that work it's done a reasonable job and was the only power tool I could find (at a sensible price) that would do the job - the insides of those front wings were so tough that I soon gave up with hand sanding. Yup lazy, (+ bad back)!
Mine is the one that comes in a plastic case with a choice of 3 "arms" (I got it from Axi in UK, the only ones I could find here were the bare, single arm models). Those 3 arms allow you to fit sander belts of 2 different widths (if remember correctly half and quarter inch) and of 2 different lengths. Sanding belts of from 60 to 180 grit of the 2 different lengths are freely available here (B&D own, & aftermarket) and aren't too expensive.
The tool did the above job fine (after I'd done some practising - especially the 60 grits can be very abrasive, especially if you push too hard, and/or get the angle wrong!!!) and with the 180 belts I ended up with a finish that was good enough to paint to a standard good enough for a child's outdoor toy. Used carefully the belts last a reasonable length of time too - about the same as any other thin& narrow sanding belt.
I don't know anything about the sort of work you're proposing but GUESS it would work OK.
Apart from the job I described above I haven't found another use for the tool yet, and frankly, I doubt that I ever will. It's certainly virtually useless for "proper" filing of any job with any degree of flatness and/or dimensional accuracy. Apart from anything else, the belt is not stable enough.
So for me anyway, it's a specialised "one-off usage" tool, though I would add that I do believe that all these "DIY power file"-type tools are actually based on a professional car body workers tool (usually pneumatic I believe).
However for my own job as described above, I doubt that I could have purchased any other tool at a sensible low price that would have done that particular job for me.
HTH
BUT I bought it for a specific job, namely sanding down the (concave in 2 directions) insides of the front wings of an MG TC 2 seater kids "sports" pedal car (mix of laminated ply glued with hard-drying waterproof powder glue and epoxy filler). They're over 1 metre long and about 60 mm wide at their widest point and included steel mounting brackets internally.
For that work it's done a reasonable job and was the only power tool I could find (at a sensible price) that would do the job - the insides of those front wings were so tough that I soon gave up with hand sanding. Yup lazy, (+ bad back)!
Mine is the one that comes in a plastic case with a choice of 3 "arms" (I got it from Axi in UK, the only ones I could find here were the bare, single arm models). Those 3 arms allow you to fit sander belts of 2 different widths (if remember correctly half and quarter inch) and of 2 different lengths. Sanding belts of from 60 to 180 grit of the 2 different lengths are freely available here (B&D own, & aftermarket) and aren't too expensive.
The tool did the above job fine (after I'd done some practising - especially the 60 grits can be very abrasive, especially if you push too hard, and/or get the angle wrong!!!) and with the 180 belts I ended up with a finish that was good enough to paint to a standard good enough for a child's outdoor toy. Used carefully the belts last a reasonable length of time too - about the same as any other thin& narrow sanding belt.
I don't know anything about the sort of work you're proposing but GUESS it would work OK.
Apart from the job I described above I haven't found another use for the tool yet, and frankly, I doubt that I ever will. It's certainly virtually useless for "proper" filing of any job with any degree of flatness and/or dimensional accuracy. Apart from anything else, the belt is not stable enough.
So for me anyway, it's a specialised "one-off usage" tool, though I would add that I do believe that all these "DIY power file"-type tools are actually based on a professional car body workers tool (usually pneumatic I believe).
However for my own job as described above, I doubt that I could have purchased any other tool at a sensible low price that would have done that particular job for me.
HTH
I dont want it for metal, just wood.
When I'm carving / sanding a box sometimes its almost impossible to use hand sanding due to such limited access.
This turtle shape is a good example, between the front legs and the neck I cant even get one finger in there
http://www.pbase.com/john_cooper/image/167557022
Its ordered now, only 44 quid and I had a 25 quid voucher, so for £19, its got to be a winner.
Wont get t for another 2 weeks though, got to wait for the next courier from the UK.
When I'm carving / sanding a box sometimes its almost impossible to use hand sanding due to such limited access.
This turtle shape is a good example, between the front legs and the neck I cant even get one finger in there
http://www.pbase.com/john_cooper/image/167557022
Its ordered now, only 44 quid and I had a 25 quid voucher, so for £19, its got to be a winner.
Wont get t for another 2 weeks though, got to wait for the next courier from the UK.
user22161
Established Member
I think you'll like it. I've had one for many years (now on second) mainly used for cleaning off and profiling areas on boats where grp repairs needed. Although I have the narrow belt attachment as well, very rarely used.
bourbon
Established Member
You lot must be mind readers. I have just this minute ordered a power file from the bay. OK its a sliverline but it won't be used that much. as has been said before, It's a specialized jobbie for specific tasks. It will joint the Bench disc/belt sander, triangular detail sander, 4'' belt sander and various bits of sheets of sandpaper. I would rather let a machine do the work than my arm!
AES
Established Member
I've looked at the pic of your turtle box, and if you can only just get your finger in there I doubt that my B&D jobbie will get in there, even on the slimmest belt/arm. But I guess you've already tried various grits of abrasive paper wrapped round dowels & such?
Apart from that, it should be good for such jobs, though as said, you have to be a bit careful as it's a bit of an aggressive material remover, especially on coarse belts. "Practice first" would be my advice.
Good luck with it (when you say "next courier" is that someone from UK visiting for a sunny holiday or a real "courier courier" (I remember all the hassle you had with them before)?
Apart from that, it should be good for such jobs, though as said, you have to be a bit careful as it's a bit of an aggressive material remover, especially on coarse belts. "Practice first" would be my advice.
Good luck with it (when you say "next courier" is that someone from UK visiting for a sunny holiday or a real "courier courier" (I remember all the hassle you had with them before)?
AES. I have a lot of "couriers" throughout the summer months :roll: :roll: , not so many in the winter. They all know carrying packages for me is the price of admission. Next one will be in 2 weeks.
TNT has now been tamed; I have a completely false address for them to use, then when they phone me to arrange delivery I meet then at a petrol station somewhere.
I also have pretty big fingers, especially the ones with twisted knuckles from the arthritis, so I'm hoping this new toy will solve the problem for me. Even if that means future boxes will have to have larger gaps.
It was the only thing I could find on amazon to use up a birthday gift voucher.
TNT has now been tamed; I have a completely false address for them to use, then when they phone me to arrange delivery I meet then at a petrol station somewhere.
I also have pretty big fingers, especially the ones with twisted knuckles from the arthritis, so I'm hoping this new toy will solve the problem for me. Even if that means future boxes will have to have larger gaps.
It was the only thing I could find on amazon to use up a birthday gift voucher.
AES
Established Member
Yeah sunnybob, we get similar "couriers" here from time to time too! But winter too sometimes.
Glad you've got TNT sorted n good luck with the "powerfile" (but I STILL think that's a silly name)!
Glad you've got TNT sorted n good luck with the "powerfile" (but I STILL think that's a silly name)!
..I got a "cheapie" silverline from Amazon under £30 (I think)..I have found it a really useful tool to have around. Would not be without one now.
Silverstorm 247820 - 260W 13mm (½") Power Belt File 230V
Silverstorm 247820 - 260W 13mm (½") Power Belt File 230V
