Sanding element and apparatus

An apparatus for sanding a work piece, comprising:

• a motor,
• a motor housing,
• an essentially cylindrical sanding element assembly comprising a sanding element,
• a tubular sanding element assembly first support member extending from said motor housing to said sanding element assembly,
• a drive train extending from said motor through said first support member to said sanding element assembly,
• wherein said motor housing is cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis, and said first support member extends essentially perpendicular to said housing longitudinal axis, and said cylindrical sanding element assembly also has a longitudinal axis which is essentially parallel to said housing longitudinal axis,
• wherein said sanding element assembly has two ends and wherein said housing has two ends, and wherein said first support member is joined to one said end of said housing and to one end of said sanding element assembly,
• a second support member joined to the end of said housing and extending to engage the other end of said sanding element assembly,
• a tubular handle member attached to said housing essentially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis,
• a switch contained within said handle member for controlling the flow of electric current through said motor,
• wherein said handle member has a free end, additionally comprising:
• a protective shield attached to said free end of said handle member.

An apparatus for sanding a work piece, comprising:

• a motor,
• a motor housing,
• an essentially cylindrical sanding element assembly comprising a sanding element,
• a tubular sanding element assembly first support member extending from said motor housing to said sanding element assembly,
• a drive train extending from said motor through said first support member to said sanding element assembly,
• a disk end member located at each end of said assembly, wherein each said disk end member has a central bore for receiving said assembly shaft,
• at least one sanding element mounting rod attached to and extending between said disk end members parallel to said assembly shaft,
• a sanding element comprising sand paper and having a looped portion to fit over said at least one sanding element mounting rod.