need help with sander

[MaryL]

I recently bought an oscillating spindle sander at a garage sale. I think it's the
type sold by Harbor Freight. The sleeve which was on it has a 2 inch diameter
and was very tightly bound to the spindle. So, I bought some new sleeves
which are 2 inches in diameter but they are too large (by a fraction) and tend to slip. If I buy the next size smaller, it will be too small to slide over the spindle. The Harbor Freight in my town has stopped carrying these sanders and doesn't have any sleeves and I wasn't able to find them on the HF website.

If anyone here has a suggestion I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Joe

[BigguyZ]

Wrap the spindle with some masking tape. That'll slowly build up some thickness and allow you to use the sleeve.

[MaryL]

thank you. I thought of that and I should have mentioned that I did wrap the spindle with tape and it works.

I would like to use the tool as intended and thought perhaps there was
something else I should know about it. Both sleeves are 2 inches in diameter
and it's perplexing why one fits tightly, and the other is too loose. I'll put it in the unexplained file and continue using tape.

I appreciate the help. thanks again.

Joe

[Tom Miller]

I'm not familiar with the HF osc. sander. Is it the type that has a metal spindle with different sized rubber boots that slide over the metal spindle? If so, then I assume your problem is that you can't tighten the nut on the metal spindle enough to compress the rubber boot, which tightens the sleeve. Have you tried adding a washer or two, so the nut doesn't reach the end of the threads too soon?

Or do I have it all wrong?

Regards,
Tom

[Greg.B]

You could always take a piece of sandpaper, or strips and glue it to the spindle. I would go with strips. I'm thinking like 4 - 1/2" wide strips. That would keep it from spinning over time. Start with 1 strips and check fit and work your way up to 4 if needed to get a tight fit.

[MaryL]

thanks for the advice.

I added a washer and it's working. It's possible that I just didn't have
it cranked down enough to compress the rubber.

I didn't think of this before, but the temp in my shop is about 20 degrees and
maybe that could be reason the rubber didn't compress enough. After it warms
up a bit I'll try it without the extra washer and see if it works.

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate the help.

Joe

[Tom Miller]

thanks for the advice.

I added a washer and it's working. It's possible that I just didn't have
it cranked down enough to compress the rubber.

I didn't think of this before, but the temp in my shop is about 20 degrees and
maybe that could be reason the rubber didn't compress enough. After it warms
up a bit I'll try it without the extra washer and see if it works.

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate the help.

Joe

Excellent! And, yes, such a low shop temperature is undoubtedly making a difference. I've heard of nasty planer accidents when the rubber feed rollers were just slightly contracted due to cold shop temps. The cutter head threw the piece back.

Regards,
Tom