How to attach a flap disk to a wood lathe.

This is a simple way to quickly attach a 40 or 60 grit flap disk to a wood lathe, you then have a very useful tool that is perfect for removing burs and sharp edges from metal or rounding corners on wood etc. 

I did this as I find that it is easier to work with than a disk fitted to an angle grinder and does not produce the high speed vibrations that an angle grinder does. (high speed vibrations have a tenancy to cause the aches and pains to flare up) 

Flap disks also give a much more pleasing finish on metal than a grinding disk. They are also very good for sharpening knives and blades.

This is quite a simple how to and requires only 2 nuts that match the thread on your wood lathes spindle.

I used a friends metal lathe to turn down the 2 nuts.  A good engineering philosophy is to buy the tools that you use all the time and to know what specialized tools your friends have that you can get acess  to for to occasional times you need to use them.

Thanks for looking and I hope you find the idea useful.

Step 1 Making the collet and keeper.

I used a metal lathe to turn down 2 nuts to make a collet and the keeper.

As it was not rocket surgery I more or less eyeballed it and checked it against a flap disk untill it fitted snugly.

The collet has a slight taper so the flap disks will self center against it.

The keeper is just a nut turned down to approx 1/2 - 2/3 of its original thickness.

Comments

[jimwi]

I like the idea. What are you going to use it for?

[Dr Qui]

I use it for removing sharp edges and burs from after drilling and cutting.

Works for wood metal plastic etc. the lathe has 10 speeds from 200 - 2000 rpm .

It is a safer alternative to a 4.5" angle grinder when the lathe is not being used.   I cant tolerate the high speed vibrations of an angle grinder and this allows me to hold the work piece with both hands,

I use this almost every day when tinkering in my shed. the idea was to find another use for the wood lathe that does not get used enough.