It’s finally done…
When I first started this project, I thought I would be done in a month. Now 6 months later, I don’t know where all the time went. I lost a week to a neck injury, but other than that I’ve worked on this project 10 to 15 hours every week. Either I work a lot slower than I think I do, or Norm has some magic tool to warp time.
All kidding aside, I’m really pleased with the results. I’ve gained additional storage space (always a plus in a small shop), and a valuable tool that I’m sure will be make many of my future projects much easier and pleasurable. And now it’s time for the obligatory final photos.
I purchased a new ROS about two weeks ago, as my old palm sander is on its last legs. After a lot of deliberation, I settled on the Milwaukee 6021-21, and I have to say so far it’s been great . Last weekend I spent a few hours in the shop, and made the adapter shown below, to connect the it to my Shop-vac. The total cost of the project was around $25; $20 of that being for the pool vacuum hose.
A 2-1/2" to 1-1/4" reducer that fits onto then end of a standard Shop-vac hose.
A section of cheap 1-1/4" pool vacuum hose, cut to roughly 12 feet in length.
The stock end of the hose, fits snugly over the small end of the reducer.
A custom adapter turned from alluminum. The end that fits into the sander has a 1 degree taper.
The strait end of the adapter fits snuggly into the cut-off end of the hose. For a permanent bond I used a dab of 30 minute epoxy.
Hooked up and ready to sand.
