Turn Your Wood Lathe into a Spindle Sander
Sanding inside curves can be one of the more frustrating parts of a woodworking project. A band saw makes quick work of cutting curved shapes, but getting rid of the saw marks and smoothing those edges takes a little more effort.
An oscillating spindle sander is great for this kind of work. But not every woodworker has the shop space or budget for another dedicated machine.
If you already have a wood lathe, there's another option. With a simple shop-made sanding drum, you can put your lathe to work smoothing curved edges.
In the video below, we show how this clever woodworking tip turns an ordinary wood lathe into a useful sanding station.
Why Use a Wood Lathe for Sanding Curves?
A spindle sander is particularly useful for cleaning up the inside edges of curved woodworking parts.
Unlike a flat sanding block, a rotating sanding drum can follow a concave profile, making it easier to smooth curves and remove the marks left behind by a band saw.
The problem is that a dedicated spindle sander takes up valuable workshop space.
That's where a wood lathe comes in. Since the lathe already rotates a workpiece, it can also rotate a sanding drum.
And by making your own drum, you can choose a diameter that suits the curves you're working on.
A Simple DIY Spindle Sander Attachment
This idea comes from Woodsmith reader Stephen Bunker, who found a practical way to get more use from his lathe.
The concept is straightforward. Turn a wooden cylinder to the diameter needed for your project, then cover the cylinder with sandpaper.
For the sanding surface, you have a couple of options.
Adhesive-backed sandpaper is convenient because it sticks directly to the wooden drum. You can also use regular sandpaper attached with spray adhesive.
Whichever method you choose, make sure the abrasive is securely attached before starting the lathe.
Pay attention to the direction of rotation, too. The sandpaper should be wrapped so the spinning drum doesn't catch a loose edge and peel it away.
Sanding Inside Curves with a Lathe
Once the sanding drum is mounted securely, the lathe provides the rotating abrasive surface needed to smooth curved workpieces.
This is especially handy for cleaning up concave edges after cutting them at the band saw.
A sanding drum that closely matches the curve allows you to work along the edge without trying to force a flat sanding block into a rounded profile.
As you sand, remove material gradually and check the shape often. The goal is to eliminate the saw marks without changing the intended curve.
Unlike a dedicated oscillating spindle sander, the lathe doesn't automatically move the drum up and down. That means you need to pay attention to how the abrasive wears and avoid concentrating all the sanding in one narrow area.
Safety note: Use a securely mounted, balanced drum and a suitable work support designed for the sanding operation. Keep the workpiece under control, follow your lathe manufacturer's operating guidance, and never attempt to sand an unsupported workpiece against a rotating drum.
A Space-Saving Sanding Solution for Small Shops
One of the best things about this tip is that it gives an existing shop tool another useful job.
You don't need to find room for a separate spindle sander, and you can make sanding drums in different diameters to suit different projects.
It's a practical solution for woodworkers who occasionally need to smooth inside curves but don't use a spindle sander often enough to justify buying one.
And if you want to make the sanding drum yourself, our original Lathe Drum Sander quick tip explains how to create a simple drum from laminated 2x4 lumber and adhesive-backed sandpaper.
RELATED ARTICLE DIY → Lathe Drum Sander: Turn Your Wood Lathe into a Sander
Get More Use from Your Woodworking Tools
A well-equipped shop doesn't necessarily need a separate machine for every task.
Sometimes, a simple shop-made accessory is all it takes to expand what your existing tools can do.
This lathe-powered sanding drum is a good example. It's inexpensive, adaptable, and especially useful for smoothing inside curves.
Watch the video above to see the idea in action, and explore more of our woodworking sanding tips for other ways to make surface preparation easier.
