Belt or Disc Sander Recommendations?

[lilscorpion]

Have another thread started but it's specific to stainless exhaust welding. I need a belt sander to tune pieces of tubing to get them squared up as a part of the welding process. Probably always have. Will also used it for general fab stuff. Today I do everything with smaller grinders and flap discs. Need to upgrade.

Best setup would be a belt sander that has the longest and widest belt possible. 6 or 8" x 72 but I may not have the available floor space for such a unit so I may need to go down a size to a 48"-ish belt.

...or maybe it's better to have a Disc Sander. Stand-alone or hybrid.

What do you guys have/recommend? I'm really not focused on a budget machine that's mostly good, would rather buy a good machine.

EDIT: Search turned up this grinder attachment, any experience? https://www.trick-tools.com/Multito...er_Attachment_8_inch_Contact_Wheel_MT8CW_1164


TIA

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have a 20" disc grinder and it is a great machine BUT, discs don't last that long and are not cheap. I have been looking for a big belt sander on and off. The ones I am looking at are 5~7.5 HP that may be bigger than your want/need. Hammond, Porter Cable and Oliver all made belt sanders in 6X48 to 72" that may be the ideal machine for your tasks.

Steve

 

[demetri94]

We had a "Fein" 6"×? Belt grinder and it was awesome. Didnt matter how much material or how hard you pushed the machine wouldn't care. It was a work horse. Just had to be mindful when using it.

 

[Craftfab]

I have had two of the ones you linked from Trick Tools for a few years now. One mostly runs a blue scotchbrite belt and other a 80 or 120 grit. Very easy to swap belts. One is on a baldor and other is on a 1HP grinder TT sells with the multitool as a kit. Would definitely recommend using on a 1HP+ grinder esp if heavy use of the scotchbrite belts. Have gotten all my belts from TT as well and it all works well for me, as a hobbyist, for what I have invested. I have found the platen on top, front contact wheel and using underside as slack belt to all be useful. I have the side table on one of the setups for the 8" wheel and do not finding myself using it as much. I mostly use them for cleaning tube ends before welding, cleaning up edges of caster plates, knocking off surface rust with the SB belts, etc. No production work.

If I was starting from scratch, I would likely cave and get an Ameribrade variable speed because of their various attachments and configuring options.

 

[sqznby]

1HP minimum 6 x 48 would be ideal for any type of fab work. Especially working with exhaust work. It's wide enough with a large platen for even the largest exhaust tubing to square up each cut and will last long enough where you won't burn through belts. Belts are readily available in all grits.
Jet makes a nice belt/disc grinder
Kalamazoo makes a nice belt grinder

 

[dirtyjerzy]

I recently bought a Norse 2"x42" (about 5 or 6 companies putting their name on the same unit) and some descent belts, and I love this thing, probably one of the most useful tools I own. I don't make a living off this thing and I don't use it 40 hours a week, but for occasional I use highly recommend.

 

[Monza Harry]

I built my own 16" disc with a 1/2" keyed chuck on the opposite end for primarily sanding drums, but I envision the use of buffing and wire wheels as well (anything that needs to spin to cut could be used on there as well). I used a 1 HP could use even more power as being belt driven that raises the parasitic loses quite a bit. It became ~functional so completion may take awhile . Harry

 

[lilscorpion]

I have a 20" disc grinder and it is a great machine BUT, discs don't last that long and are not cheap.

Steve

Can you swap discs back and forth to Change grits back and forth or are they stick one once and done?

I have had two of the ones you linked from Trick Tools for a few years now. One mostly runs a blue scotchbrite belt and other a 80 or 120 grit. Very easy to swap belts.

could I run 2 on a single machine (left and right) or is there a reason you could only run one? Would be nice to have 2 different grits like you did on one machine since I have limited space.

1HP minimum 6 x 48 would be ideal for any type of fab work. Especially working with exhaust work. It's wide enough with a large platen for even the largest exhaust tubing to square up each cut and will last long enough where you won't burn through belts. Belts are readily available in all grits.
Jet makes a nice belt/disc grinder
Kalamazoo makes a nice belt grinder

Jets are in the lead. Looks like about $1k for a bench top unit. Kalamazoos website is jacked up, I’ll try again later…

I recently bought a Norse 2"x42" (about 5 or 6 companies putting their name on the same unit) and some descent belts, and I love this thing, probably one of the most useful tools I own. I don't make a living off this thing and I don't use it 40 hours a week, but for occasional I use highly recommend.

Norse are nice looking machines. Wish they made them for wider belts.

I built my own 16" disc with a 1/2" keyed chuck on the opposite end for primarily sanding drums, but I envision the use of buffing and wire wheels as well (anything that needs to spin to cut could be used on there as well). I used a 1 HP could use even more power as being belt driven that raises the parasitic loses quite a bit. It became ~functional so completion may take awhile . Harry

I’d really like to build my own. Can’t find many build threads for a wide and long belt monster…

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

I prefer a large disc sander over a belt sander. I like the fact I can hold the tubing up against the table and feed it into the disk.
I feel I can control the accuracy better; the disc pushes the tube down into the table, I can control the metal being removed to a higher degree. I use the disk sander to true up any of the cuts and also make slight angle adjustments. You can get on from HF for under $200

 

[lilscorpion]

I prefer a large disc sander over a belt sander. I like the fact I can hold the tubing up against the table and feed it into the disk.
I feel I can control the accuracy better; the disc pushes the tube down into the table, I can control the metal being removed to a higher degree. I use the disk sander to true up any of the cuts and also make slight angle adjustments. You can get on from HF for under $200

Interesting. That makes sense. I stopped buying from HF because of quality issues over the years. Not horrible but they just don’t last. Maybe I should take a walk through

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Agree 100% about the HF quality, how often, and how hard it will be used should part of the decision.

 

[Steve from Socal]

As far as changing disc, the 16 & 20" disc are all stick once. The hook and loop style abrasives could work BUT, the firmness and flatness is one key attribute of disc grinders.

Steve

 

[cvairwerks]

Find you something like a Delta 52-611 floor based combination....6" belt with a 12" disc. They pop up reasonably often on craigslist. I found mine there, missing the table parts for the belt, and snagged it for 200$. I'll have another 200 or so in getting all the stuff for the table, but it runs fine as is for now.

 

[MongoTA]

I have a Wilton 6x48 belt with a 12" disc.
Bought this at auction several years ago, around $425.
Well worth it!
One of those things that you buy it intending to use it for "this" and you end up using it all the time for everything. This is predominantly used for metal, though on occasion I do use it for wood. I've actually had my eye out for another similar, if I found a good deal I'd use the second for wood. Matter of fact I used the belt yesterday to ease the sharp corners on a bunch of thin rips of sapele, you can see the bands of sapele wood dust on the belt.
It is a big machine. But the foot print on the floor is fairly small compared to its usefulness. It could be put on rollers to move it around.
It's also great pencil sharpener.

 

[zmotorsports]

Matt, I have the same one as MongoTA above, a Wilton 6x48 belt/12" disc combination. It is truly one of the workhorse pieces of equipment in my shop. Seems like there is always a burr to be removed or a corner to be rounded.

A friend had a 20" disc in his shop for years and when I would help him I used to think that was what I wanted but it was limited to a single grit unless you wanted to destroy a disc each time as they use adhesive backed discs to adhere to the mounting disc. At work we had a combination disc/belt and I loved it so I bought the exact same one for my home shop and haven't looked back. I have had mine for well over 20-years now and it has not given me a second's problem nor has it ever given me reason to doubt the purchase.



Mine is the 1.5 hp version as I think they also come in .75 hp variation. I keep a 60-grit disc on it and a 120-grit belt so I have the best of both grits for a wide variety of functions and it also helps prolong the life of the belt in particular. I generally will change 3-5 discs to every one belt. I do my heavy material removal on the disc before going to the belt. I have also found that when rounding large radius corners, as I am cutting on the vertical bandsaw that I will knock off the corner at a 45-degree before I ever go the disc sander as this greatly extends the life of the disc as well as keeps the heat down on the part itself.

 

[lilscorpion]

Agree 100% about the HF quality, how often, and how hard it will be used should part of the decision.

I tend to use my tools fairly frequently and "well". More importantly, I use them consistently for a very long time. I will have to consider this however...maybe for now, if I can get one really cheap, I can focus on this project and then upgrade later when I can find one in the used market.

As far as changing disc, the 16 & 20" disc are all stick once. The hook and loop style abrasives could work BUT, the firmness and flatness is one key attribute of disc grinders.

Steve

Oh right, didn't even think about hook/loop not being as flat. That's a really good point. Sticker **** but they may be the best for the purpose.

Find you something like a Delta 52-611 floor based combination....6" belt with a 12" disc. They pop up reasonably often on craigslist. I found mine there, missing the table parts for the belt, and snagged it for 200$. I'll have another 200 or so in getting all the stuff for the table, but it runs fine as is for now.

I guess I now do want as disc, you guys have me convinced. I looked, Craigs is a wasteland right now. Nothing good or within an hour or so drive. I'll have to start checking back frequently

 

[lilscorpion]

I have a Wilton 6x48 belt with a 12" disc.
Bought this at auction several years ago, around $425.
Well worth it!...

It is a big machine. But the foot print on the floor is fairly small compared to its usefulness. It could be put on rollers to move it around.

That's a smokin' deal. I wish it was 15 years ago when I went to auctions like 2x a month. I know I could find one worth buying at least once a month at about that price or slightly more. Now auctions aren't as cool. They do them all online and they're not as frequent.

big space-wise, that may just be the way it goes. After thinking about it, I'm not sure a bench top unit really takes less space. I mean it does but I'd have to have shelf space...or benchtop space and I'm not willing to give that up either. If it were a floor unit I could at least put it on wheels and move it out of my way when I need to.

Matt, I have the same one as MongoTA above, a Wilton 6x48 belt/12" disc combination. It is truly one of the workhorse pieces of equipment in my shop. Seems like there is always a burr to be removed or a corner to be rounded.

A friend had a 20" disc in his shop for years and when I would help him I used to think that was what I wanted but it was limited to a single grit unless you wanted to destroy a disc each time as they use adhesive backed discs to adhere to the mounting disc. At work we had a combination disc/belt and I loved it so I bought the exact same one for my home shop and haven't looked back. I have had mine for well over 20-years now and it has not given me a second's problem nor has it ever given me reason to doubt the purchase.



Mine is the 1 hp version as I think they also come in .75 hp variation. I keep a 60-grit disc on it and a 120-grit belt so I have the best of both grits for a wide variety of functions and it also helps prolong the life of the belt in particular. I generally will change 3-5 discs to every one belt. I do my heavy material removal on the disc before going to the belt. I have also found that when rounding large radius corners, as I am cutting on the vertical bandsaw that I will knock off the corner at a 45-degree before I ever go the disc sander as this greatly extends the life of the disc as well as keeps the heat down on the part itself.

These models are beefy. I looked and dont' see them for sale new anymore. Bummer, I'd get one. it is the missing link in the shop. Everything I need to prep or sand I do with a 2" 90* pneumatic air grinder or a 4 1/2 grinder. It would probably blow peoples mind to know that too. Having the CNC mill has really eliminated me needing to shape things with a sander but I'd probably like to have the option on stuff that doens't actually warrant 2hours of machine time. Heck, I'd probably speed up my projects if I get one.

When you built your son's front/rear bumpers, how many discs did you use? Just curious, that may help me better understand consumable longevity

 

[zmotorsports]

When you built your son's front/rear bumpers, how many discs did you use? Just curious, that may help me better understand consumable longevity

I think I just used one disc and belt throughout the front bumper build is all. I don't change the discs very often at all. I would say on an average year I go through well less than six discs altogether. I buy a box of 25 at a time and a box will last me easily 4 years. But like I mentioned, I don't stand at the grinder for extended periods of time either, I get thing cut nearly to my layout lines then that minimizes time at the disc sander and consumables. That is still one of, if not the, most used pieces of equipment in my shop.

Are you certain they are no longer available new? I just googled them and the Jet version popped up at Grainger. Mine is also the Taiwanese version which is what the Jet one is.

 

[MongoTA]

Deleted...out of date link...

 

[rattle_snake]

Bur king makes a nice turn key machine. expensive.
There are a few kits that need a motor and a stand.
2x72 is very common and seems wide enough for most things I do, even if workpiece is more than 2". Longer belt spreads out the heat.
At 1.5 hp, 55 mph belt speed, a 36 grit will plow through 1/4 steel like butter. Massive time saver.
I also have a cheap HF 4x36 belt disc combo that is extremely underpowered but works for wood and odd jobs the 2x72 wont.

 

[lilscorpion]

I think I just used one disc and belt throughout the front bumper build is all. I don't change the discs very often at all. I would say on an average year I go through well less than six discs altogether. I buy a box of 25 at a time and a box will last me easily 4 years. But like I mentioned, I don't stand at the grinder for extended periods of time either, I get thing cut nearly to my layout lines then that minimizes time at the disc sander and consumables. That is still one of, if not the, most used pieces of equipment in my shop.

Are you certain they are no longer available new? I just googled them and the Jet version popped up at Grainger. Mine is also the Taiwanese version which is what the Jet one is.

The Jet one is still available and I've been looking at both the benchtop and floor models. I forgot that the Wilton and Jet are made in the same place. So a couple grand it looks like.

 

[csp]

I looked, Craigs is a wasteland right now. Nothing good or within an hour or so drive. I'll have to start checking back frequently

That's what I did. I ended up with an old Toolkraft cast iron, 6x48 belt, 10" disc sander on a craptastic, homemade base with a 3/4hp motor for $40. I was going to make it work, but then I saw a Rockwell/Delta base at a local auction that came with a 1hp Baldor TEFC motor. I got the base/motor, so I combined the two and added the right kind of belt. I think it's running at 2260fpm.

It's certainly not up to the same task a Rockwell/Delta would be, but it meets my non-commercial needs perfectly. I did have to remove the disc to keep the belt guard that the base had.

I had attempted to buy a used Delta at the same auctioneer, but it shot over $500 right out of the gate. I'm into mine for just over $100. Admittedly I'm cheap for some things and I like to see what I can put together to make it work. Not paying top dollar for everything I want keeps fuel in airplanes and other toys.

 

[lilscorpion]

That's what I did. I ended up with an old Toolkraft cast iron, 6x48 belt, 10" disc sander on a craptastic, homemade base with a 3/4hp motor for $40. I was going to make it work, but then I saw a Rockwell/Delta base at a local auction that came with a 1hp Baldor TEFC motor. I got the base/motor, so I combined the two and added the right kind of belt. I think it's running at 2260fpm.

It's certainly not up to the same task a Rockwell/Delta would be, but it meets my non-commercial needs perfectly. I did have to remove the disc to keep the belt guard that the base had.

I had attempted to buy a used Delta at the same auctioneer, but it shot over $500 right out of the gate. I'm into mine for just over $100. Admittedly I'm cheap for some things and I like to see what I can put together to make it work. Not paying top dollar for everything I want keeps fuel in airplanes and other toys.

That looks solid. $40?

You hear of any locally let me know. Based on what I've seen, $500 today for old iron would be a steal.

 

[ojh]

I have the delta 6x48 and its a beast, the belts are very easy to swap and its easy to keep clean. The photo is when I got it, I fitted it with the green zirconia belts and it removes metal licketysplit.
I used to do a lot of headers and used one of them little 4" wide belt sanders, it was handy because you can set up a little workstation right where you are fitting the headers, I'd set up a piece of plywood with a big vice, that smaller beltsander and haul out the band saw to use upright or laydown. If you want to do headers only then the 4" one is they way to go. Them big ones are salty.

 

[lilscorpion]

I have the delta 6x48 and its a beast, the belts are very easy to swap and its easy to keep clean. The photo is when I got it, I fitted it with the green zirconia belts and it removes metal licketysplit.
I used to do a lot of headers and used one of them little 4" wide belt sanders, it was handy because you can set up a little workstation right where you are fitting the headers, I'd set up a piece of plywood with a big vice, that smaller beltsander and haul out the band saw to use upright or laydown. If you want to do headers only then the 4" one is they way to go. Them big ones are salty.

Yeah, I want one to put next to my mill just like yours is. I'm sad to say that my shop vac gave up the ghost 2 weeks ago. Lasted only 25 years of serious use like it looks like yours has.

 

[Swervyjoe]

I have a grizzly 6x48 with a 12" disc. Use it all the time.
We used to call the one at a previous job the belt mill for a reason.

 

[lilscorpion]

Should have been paying attention to the local auctions...missed this

 

[Cruzan80]

PM sent.

 

[lilscorpion]

PM sent.

Replied.

 

[tarbellb]

I see you are shopping the local Roller auctions, good stuff on there all the time


I too have a Delta 6"/12" combo, its a beast, dims the lights and flips breakers on 120v sometimes. Every one I have looked at used is either missing parts and $500+ or complete and ~$1000, and that was Colorado circa 2010s

Dont forget about the belt add-on for benchtop grinders, convert the other side to a 10" disc pretty easy. Grizzly has a decent looking combo, not as big but plenty for lots of work.

 

[Graham08]

I've got a 2x48 Kalamazoo that I wouldn't be without. Mine's a 1/2 HP, but since I bought it they've come out with a 1 HP version with a larger contact wheel for more SFM. I would love a Burr King, but I haven't come across the right deal on one yet.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've got a 2x48 Kalamazoo that I wouldn't be without. Mine's a 1/2 HP, but since I bought it they've come out with a 1 HP version with a larger contact wheel for more SFM. I would love a Burr King, but I haven't come across the right deal on one yet.

I would also like to have a Burr King in the shop but haven't run across one yet for the right price.

 

[lilscorpion]

I see you are shopping the local Roller auctions, good stuff on there all the time


I too have a Delta 6"/12" combo, its a beast, dims the lights and flips breakers on 120v sometimes. Every one I have looked at used is either missing parts and $500+ or complete and ~$1000, and that was Colorado circa 2010s

Dont forget about the belt add-on for benchtop grinders, convert the other side to a 10" disc pretty easy. Grizzly has a decent looking combo, not as big but plenty for lots of work.

I look at Roller because that's where I used to go to in-person auctions. There's a few others in Denver but they weren't (and apparently still aren't) frequently auctioning machine and fab-related stuff. I need to start looking more frequently. Looks like I've missed a few really good ones in the past half year.

You're right, the accessories make or break when buying used. In this case I was thinking it would be fairly straight forward. It's a sander right? But I guess it's not b/c there are some desirable attachments that would be better to get with the machine than have to figure out or source later. Thanks for the reminder.

I've got a 2x48 Kalamazoo that I wouldn't be without. Mine's a 1/2 HP, but since I bought it they've come out with a 1 HP version with a larger contact wheel for more SFM. I would love a Burr King, but I haven't come across the right deal on one yet.

There's one on the local craigs at the moment brand new. It's a 4" wide version but I can't tell what the HP rating is. $500 OBO and it looks like they're maybe $700 or so new. It's a hour's drive tho and it's a belt only unit with no disc. Previously I was thinking I wanted a belt-only unit but after the feedback I've been getting from those on the board, it seems like having both is fairly important process-wise for rough-grind/shaping, and then finishing.

I would also like to have a Burr King in the shop but haven't run across one yet for the right price.

The right price is key. Well actually floor space may be key with right price being a close second. I need to keep searching for both then.

 

[zmotorsports]

The right price is key. Well actually floor space may be key with right price being a close second. I need to keep searching for both then.

^^Agreed. That's probably why I haven't pulled the trigger on a new one is because I am less than thrilled about giving up any more real estate in the shop for more equipment. I figure if a deal comes along that I can't pass up then I'll make room somehow. The Burr King is more of a want than a need though because I rely so heavily on my Wilton disc/belt sander combo.

 

[Slednut]

I bought this because it had 1 HP and at the time was inexpensive. As much as I use it I'm looking to upgrade. Of course it's made in China.

 

[gorilla]

Yeah, I want one to put next to my mill just like yours is. I'm sad to say that my shop vac gave up the ghost 2 weeks ago. Lasted only 25 years of serious use like it looks like yours has.

Putting a belt sander close to a lathe or a mill is not a good thing. The abrasave dust can cause damage the ways.

 

[lilscorpion]

I bought this because it had 1 HP and at the time was inexpensive. As much as I use it I'm looking to upgrade. Of course it's made in China.

I'm on the fence if I need anything more honestly. If I still had my HF 12" I probably wouldn't have even started this thread...

Putting a belt sander close to a lathe or a mill is not a good thing. The abrasave dust can cause damage the ways.

Yeah, I know. My 3-car garage is packed. I'd only store it by the mill because the table itself creates really nice nooks and crannies for storing. To use them tho, they get dragged (or pushed) out to the main garage area (my garage is a 3 car but it's a 2 car with a tandem on one side. Milll's in the back of the tandem).

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have a Burr-King 760 and I don't use it nearly as much as the disc grinder or my big 14" wheel grinder.

Steve

 

[lilscorpion]

I have a Burr-King 760 and I don't use it nearly as much as the disc grinder or my big 14" wheel grinder.

Steve

Are there activities you most frequently used the 760 on exclusively?

 

[Steve from Socal]

Are there activities you most frequently used the 760 on exclusively?

There is no specific thing, the most common is small drill bits, punches and tungsten's I usually have a fine belt on the Burr-king so not a lot of heavy material removal. I use the 14" grinder to rough out most jobs. I also use my vertical bandsaw to trim as much as I can on things before grinding. I have a small belt sander 4X24? The Burr-King, the disc grinder, two 14" pedestal grinders, a 6' pedestal grinder and, I am looking for a big belt grinder on/off.

The disc grinder and pedestal grinders are the most used of the lot. I do use the wheels to side grind on occasion, not a great idea and don't endorse that. The want of a big belt grinder is for a table to rest work on. As mentioned in previous posts having a large work rest is a big part of why the disc grinder is so useful. The big industrial belt grinders have a similar work table. To generate a flat plain on work a solid reference surface is a must. The Burr-King and small grinders just don't have a large flat that is well suited to that work. For off hand and odd angles they are fine, for square(square here is perpendicular) a nice big flat at 90 to the grinder is my choice.

Steve