Which Belt/Disc Sander

Greetings all;

My wife asked me today what I wanted for X-Mas. I have been
eying a "Co42mbination Belt and Disc Sander.

I have been looking at ENCO, but I can not decide between two models.
So - I thought I would ask the "Oracle of the Forum"

I am posting a poll:

Should I buy a 1"x 30" Belt with a 5" Disc, or a 4" x 36" Belt with a 6"disc.

I have a need for basic shaping, burr removal, casting clean-up.

Thanks for your input,

Jim Pope
Denver, CO USA


1inch-disk.jpg





4-6 inch-disc.jpg

Hi,i would recommend the 4x36.I have run a thread under Bazmak
which describes varios mods which have made this machine indispensable to me.If you want more info then please post a reply Regards barry

I did some work once for a company that had a wide belt sander, I found that the belt speed was too slow to be useful for metal. I think that some are made solely for use on wood where a slower speed will prevent burning of the wood. I have a 2" belt attachment on the end of my bench grinder that works wonders on metals, but burns any wood that I try to use on it. Just something to think about.

Paul.

The one i have i initially bought for wood and it does burn as the belt wears
Works well on metal.Now i have modded it i use it all the time.Saves a lot of filing.Main benefit is finish and squareness.When i made the angle plate on the mill see thread,i could not get to do the ends,not enough height so i used the linisher
25mm thk and got it square to about 2 thou with good flat finish Cost me a new rough and medium belts but well worth it Barry

Bigger is better IF you have the space and budget. I wanted one of those 6" X 36" sanders for ages then this came up a good price.

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/10-x-6-belt--disc-sander#.VEJgqmK9KSM

Mine is now heavily modified and I use it for sharpening woodworking and metalworking tools as well as grinding steel stock.

jpdenver,

I have both a Delta 4x36 belt sander with 6-in disc. and a Harbor Freight 1 x 30 belt sander.

The 4x36 was originally acquired for wood, but from the beginning was used for all materials. Before that I sometimes clamped my 3x21 portable belt sander in a vise and (carefully) used it for forming and smoothing small parts. (I know, risky.) I can't see a shop without something at least this big, as the usable area of the belt with good flat support behind it is actually more like 6 inches long.

Unfortunately, sometimes the belt and disc on that machine are too large for smaller parts, so I got the 1 x 30 and began modifying it to fit my needs: That experience, still not complete, is described here:

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/showthread.php?t=17108&highlight=Belt+Sander

The 1 x 30 you want has the disc attachment, but I think the belt part of the machine will be similar to what I have.

After the experience with the 1-inch wide belt, I have considered that perhaps a more-powerful 2-inch wide belt might be desirable. If money were not an issue with me, I think a would purchase a 2 x 48 machine like this:

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=953354&PMAKA=505-1370

This is made for metalworking and would probably last forever in my shop and stay in adjustment.

I have followed Chuck Fellows's build of a horizontal 2-in belt grinder and am contemplating that as a future build. Find it here:

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/showthread.php?t=22566&highlight=Horizontal+Belt

Finally, my real criteria includes these points:

1. What size work will I most often do and can I do it within the parameters of the machine I want?

2. Lots of different grit and type of belts will be needed: How hard is it to change and align a belt? How are discs attached?

3. Grinding and smoothing specific angles requires accurate tables and guides: Does the machine provide these and/or allow for easy adjustment? (See Bazmak's modifications)

4. What grits and finishes of belts and/or discs are available for the machine you want? Check tool vendors for selection and prices.

5. Will dust be an issue? Is there a provision for dust collection?

6. (At least for me) How many ways can I hurt myself with this machine? What kinds of guards and safety features do I need and can I use them?

Happy shopping,

--ShopShoe

Thanks for the responses.

Now -
What are best belt type choices - Material and grit?

Also Bazmak - what mods have you made?

Thanks,
Jim

jpdenver,

For metal work, more finishing than shaping, my belt choices are, in order of frequency of use:

220 / 240 grit

320 / 400 grit

600 grit, sparingly

(This grit and anything finer, for me, should really not be done on a machine)

For more shaping than finishing, metal and softer materials:

100 / 120 grit

80 grit, occasionally

(anything courser should have been worked by another process)

Wood or plastic roughing (and very carefully done):

50 grit

Also:

"Scotchbrite" (a 3M trademark, but other companies have similar products. I have no afiliation: Usual disclaimer applies)

Red, Gray, Green, White

Be careful with these, you can round off and smooth corners and contours too much when you are making things shiny, but I like to use them for some tasks.

--ShopShoe

I picked up a burnt out 2X48 belt sander decades ago and repowered it with a separate motor and pulley to get the speed that I wanted. It's crude but it gets the job done and best of all I can buy 6X48 belts and rip them into 1.5 inch belts that become very economical. Having a fresh belt available makes a big difference and 1.5 inches is good enough to remove burrs, chamfer edges and smooth out smaller surfaces, in my experience.

Ripping belts to smaller sizes is practical and the belt doesn't have to be the maximum exact width that the sander can handle.

Just sharing some thoughts that might remove constraints in your decision process.

The 1x30 sanders are basically a handyman's tool. The 1x42 with 8" disc is much more versatile machine. Jet and Grizzly both offer them. They have cast iron tables and are much heavier for more vibration free running. There is a larger variety of belts made in 1x42 versus 1x30 and the 8" disc offers a lot more surface area.

One of the best modifications is to replace the factory 1/3 to 1/2 hp motor with a 1 hp, 3-phase TEFC motor and use a VFD for speed control. Speed control gives you a way to control stock removal rate and allows you compensate for differences in material characteristics. It makes a huge difference.

WOB

See Bazmak Diary of a linishing machine for mods.Main 2 were increasing disc from 150 to 170 dia and using velcro pads
also fitting skate bearings to the driven pulley.In general build more sturdy tables.I have yet fit an alum. table to the disc yet
Also plan to try and make afixture for tool and cutter grinding,but dont anticipate much success with linishing belt and small
say end mills.Its fun playing about.I was very happy with the setup for making new gibb strips.See thread
Regards Barry

I have a craftsman 1 x 42 belt sander, I removed the disk and table as I never used them.

The 1 x 42 size has belts from 50 grit to 1000, takes maybe 2 minutes to swap belts. For many years a 6" belt and 10 disk sander sat in the corner, now its in the sell someday pile. Its the most often used tool in the shop.

I also have a 1 x 60 loose belt sander, don't use it often, but it is great on dressing the finish of a turned part, think cannon barrel type items.

When you buy the sander also pick up a belt dressing stick. It looks like a giant eraser, touch it to the running belt, and the stuff clogging the belt is cleaned right off. Replace every 10 years or so.

I just saw an ad locally for this and am really thinking about getting one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003J69ET0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Robert

bazmak said:

Hi,i would recommend the 4x36.I have run a thread under Bazmak
which describes varios mods which have made this machine indispensable to me.If you want more info then please post a reply Regards barry

Click to expand...

Best to buy the 3x36. Sander. I am eyeing one but space wise I am limited.

Thanks to everyone for your input.
They have led me to investigate things further.
What I find is that certain belts (the scotchbrite - linishing) are
only available in narrower widths.

So - I told my wife (uses my credit card) to buy the 4x36 w/ disc.
I plan to use this for the lower grit (150,150,300,400) jobs.

Then I told my kids (uses their own CC) to go together and get me
a 1x30 (no disc) - for higher grit - 400-600-1000, Scotchbrite, Leather Strop)

So - hopefully they listen to me and I do not get socks like last year.

Thanks again,
Jim Pope
Denver