6x48 vs. 2x72 for metal fabrication

AndySomogyi · Jun 22, 2022

What's your thoughts on a buying an Enco 6x48 belt sander, 5000 SFM speed vs. building a 2x72 belt grinder for general metal fabrication?

I do things like make intake / exhaust manifolds, engine mounts, brackets, weldments, deburring, etc.. I have no plans for knifemaking.

I've potentially found a good deal on an Enco, and about ready to buy it.

marak · Jun 22, 2022

Completely depends on your situation. I love fabrication, but there isn't enough time to do it all. Do you have more money than time or more time than money. What other projects NEED to get done that have been put off.

I especially like to build things that are difficult to find, ridiculously expensive to purchase, or no longer available. I bought a new stainless steel cart the other day for $83. (reg. price $235) I can't buy the materials for $83. I built the little tractor gizmo in my profile picture for about $3k. Can't buy one of those, especially here in Alaska...and I didn't want to spend $750 for a concrete pumper truck and no concrete buggies here in Alaska. Fun as hell to build, learned a ton, it has a 3,200# payload (vol. = 2/3 CY of concrete) and I use it several times a year and it is a real hoot to use and my mouth hurts from smiling when I use it. Even looking at the darn thing makes me smile. Lots of satisfaction from building things yourself, but it all depends on you and your situation.

If it were me, and the price was reasonable, I'd buy the Enco.

CallumRD1 · Jun 22, 2022

Speaking as someone with a LOT of time running 2x72 grinders, I'd have to go with the 2x72 for general fabrication. It is a vastly more versatile tool, being able to quickly swap to contact wheels, small wheels, flat platen, slack belt, etc for whatever you're working on. The belts are quick to swap, cheap, widely available, and come in a vast range of abrasive compounds and grits. My grinder gets used for quite literally every single project I work on, even if it's just for sharpening a drill or deburring a part. Having variable speed control makes a huge difference too, especially for delicate work or on thin material where you need to keep the heat down.

That being said, I do wish I had a 6" wide grinder at times. I wouldn't trade my 2x72 for one, but I'd love to add a 6" grinder to my shop.

CS454 · Jun 22, 2022

2x72 is far more versatile. Some brands even offer surface grinder jigs and you can run flat plattens, 14" wheels, etc.

tarmy · Jun 22, 2022

2x72 for sure…

AndySomogyi · Jun 23, 2022

Well, I just couldn’t help myself, the deal on the Enco was just too good to pass up, I got it for basically nothing

.

The thing is a heavy beast, had to separate grinder from base to be able to lift it out.

Prev owner did a lot of wood, so I think there’s a bunch of sawdust in the motor, and sawdust on bearings that pulled out the grease, so will replace bearings. But runs just great, OMG this thing has some power.

Yes, I know a 2x72 is more versatile, but this was a great deal, and last thing I need is yet another project.

This crappy Buck 4x36 is what’s getting replaced. I suppose the Buck is OK for wood, but just way too weak and flimsy for metal.

zmotorsports · Jun 23, 2022

I think you will be pleased with that unit. I have waffled over purchasing a 2x72 belt sander for quite a while as well as I hear they are awesome. However, I already have a Wilton combination 6x48 belt and 12" disc that gets used heavily and has been for the past 20+ years that I've had it so I am hesitant to buy something else. My disc/belt sander seems to be one of the most used pieces of equipment in my shop as there always seems to be a burr or sharp edge that needs to be chamfered or knocked down.

472scout · Jun 23, 2022

That Enco not being able to grind various inside curves is a big shortcoming. 2x72 with small wheel attachment is amazing for that.

dnschmidt · Jun 23, 2022

2 X 72 is the nuts. But if the price was right an industrial grinder versus a toy sander isn't too hard of a choice to make. It's the difference between doing work and putzing in the garage. I think that's a German word that my dad used a lot to describe ******* off in the garage building cool but useless ****.

AndySomogyi · Jun 23, 2022

dnschmidt said:
2 X 72 is the nuts. But if the price was right an industrial grinder versus a toy sander isn't too hard of a choice to make. It's the difference between doing work and putzing in the garage. I think that's a German word that my dad used a lot to describe ******* off in the garage building cool but useless ****.

I've use the snot out of that crappy little 4x36, it's certainly viable for knocking off burrs, but that's about where it ends. It's WAY too flimsy for any sort of shaping, the table is literally useless because it's so weak, and really not even enough power to knock off mill scale from plate.

AndySomogyi · Jun 28, 2022

Got the grinder home, and noticed there was a lot of noise from motor, and spindle felt a bit crunchy. So took it apart to replace bearings.

Motor was a pain to pull apart, got old bearings out and noticed they were just single shielded with the open face facing outwards. Why, why??? Makes zero sense, why would they leave the open side facing out to dust and grit???

The right bearing was totally gone, crunchy AF.

Replaced with a pair of Timken fully sealed bearings.

Made a tool on the lathe to press the old bearings out because there’s a 31mm hole on motor case, but bearings are 30m bore, so needed to be semi precise to catch that bearing lip.

Motor does get a bit hot for my taste, possibly because the motor is effectively closed with no air flow. Did tap the spindle back and forth to try to eliminate excessive pre-load.