CONVERT OLD TOOTHBRUSHES INTO MINIATURE ELECTRIC SANDERS

This is a very simple Instructable on how to turn old or new electric toothbrushes and/or facial massages into small electric sanders.

I make a lot of clay and plaster sculptures and sometimes they are so small or so detailed that using sanding paper is impossible. Dremel is usually great for small details, but it can be too powerful for fragile items. Converting an electric toothbrush into a sander can help with sanding or polishing small and difficult to access places.

I used a regular electric, rotary toothbrush as well as "disposable" vibrating toothbrush. They provide a completely different set of motions. I also used an old electric facial massager/brush to create a sander with a bigger head.

All those devices are either powered by batteries or have the ability to be re-charged. They are not very powerful compared to regular electric sanders or dremmel-like tools, but they can be a great help when you require light sanding on small or fragile items.

Step 1: Supplies

• electric toothbrushes and/or facial massager https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oral-B-Pro-Expert-Toothb...
• Velcro (scratchy side) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soneer-Adhesive-Sticky-R...
• Gorilla glue epoxy https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gorilla-Glue-25ml-Epoxy/...
• scalpel or very sharp knife

• sanding pads for electric sanders(not sanding paper) https://www.amazon.co.uk/YoiYee-Detail-Sander-Sand...

Step 2: Remove Bristles

Use a very sharp scalpel to remove the bristles. Use your thumb to press the bristles down and slice them away bit by bit. Make sure they are cut as close to the surface as possible.

Step 3: Attach Velcro

Use scissors to cut velcro to fit each toothbrush head.

Mix small amount of Gorilla glue and use it to attach velcro pieces to the heads.

Step 4: Prepare Sanding Pads

As mentioned before, use sanding pads with soft velcro backing. Cut them to fit the heads of the toothbrushes.

Step 5: Attach Sanding Pads

Once the glue is dry, attach the sanding pads to the heads. If you want to replace used pads, simply peel them off and attach new pads.

Comments

[Bradow]

Absolutely beautiful

[Mama da Vinci]

Simple, yet very useful! Thank you for sharing.

[blue LED]

Well done. I construct scale models and there are those times when a small area needs a sanding this will do nicely.

[paleogirl]

Brilliant! I'm a woodworker and frequently need tiny sanders. I've used sanding sticks, but it's hard to get enough pressure and they're not electric. I have many old toothbrushes as well as an old electric one ... and a battery powered cleaning tool that's pretty useless as a cleaner but will work wonderfully as a sander. Thanks for sharing!

[AAndy]

An absolutely perfect reclamation method for the $10 electric tooth brushes that you cant buy replacement heads for 8( . I was thinking about something similiar but she did it better than I would have... thanks

[baedroppeddead]

Brilliant!

[lorenkinzel]

I use one of these a lot. For paper, I cut a length of the 2-sided foam tape that is used for hanging pictures & put it on the smooth side of sandpaper. Trim the paper flush to tape.
Cut off whatever you need, remove the backing strip & stick it on your toothbrush sander.

[magpiesmiscellany]

Great idea. Sometimes the dremel is too hard on stones, now you have me pondering how to adapt this for jewelry polishing, as if there wasn't enough rattling in my brain!

[Veets]

Great idea. I have nothing to sand right now, but I want to make one anyhow.

[marciaferrellccp]

I am doing this! So true, Dremel is too aggressive for small and delicate objects. And its spinning action will grab it out of your fingers and fling it across the room. I have an old vibrating toothbrush and a rotating one that would be perfect for this.

[Hmcbart1]

As if I didn’t have enough projects, now I’m adding another one to my list. Love it! Time to find an old tooth brush.

[sushishel]

Brilliant upcycle.

[Bellacricket]

Very clever. I'll have to look around for my old electric toothbrush and give it a try.

[jessyratfink]

This is awesome! What a clever way to use these :)