Homemade belt sander

[Kevin54]

No I haven't made one....YET!!!

I just picked up the new copy of MACHINIST WORKSHOP. If anyone that doesn't have a belt sander at home, but is looking for one, pick up the magazine. Unfortunately I can't post pics because of what would amount to Copyright Infringement, but the belt sander is made from some 8020 pieces, some store bought angle, a few pulleys, and a few more items all ready available at a number of places, except for the 8020 material. They show on the cover as either running off of a Shopsmith or running on it's own motor. The Belt sander itself.....if you know someone that is a machinist or you have access to a mill, it is more precision than most that you can buy.

There are two magazines put out by the same place. The Home Shop Machinist and The Machinist Workshop. The magazine that you would want is THE MACHINIST WORKSHOP.

 

[rsanter]

yup, saw that and its a good build
with only a little work it could be greatly improved though

bob

 

[383 240z]

Great can't wait for my issue to show up. I plan on making lots of chips this winter in the new shop!!!

I got a subscription when I had to drive 40+ miles to find a place that had it, I saw it on the shelf at TSC of all places last week. Keith

 

[lilredex]

Saw that on the news stand yesterday......looked to me like a take off on Bill Pace's ....

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCKnifeMakingGrinders.htm

 

[bullnerd]

I'd copy the radius master...bad azz!

 

[383 240z]

Are you talking about the Oct/Nov 2013 Vol 26 Num 5? Keith

 

[theknurl]

Unfortunately I can't post pics because of what would amount to Copyright Infringement

Kevin;
you can post the pictures......as long as you give copyright credit for each one

 

[slow50]

what size hp motor and rpm is most desireable for a belt sander?

 

[gtermini]

what size hp motor and rpm is most desireable for a belt sander?

As much HP as you can get. For general metal working, I wouldn't have a belt speed slower than 5000sfpm.

Greyson

 

[zkling]

what size hp motor and rpm is most desireable for a belt sander?

Depends on belt width. I have a 3HP on a home built 2x72 grinder. Multispeeds via belt, will eat anything fed into it.

 

[prmindartmouth]

I'm the author of that "Nifty Belt Grinder" article. Thanks for the kind comments. I have been using it since for light work ( cleaning up edges cut by my 4x6 band saw, sharpening chisels, etc) and like it so much, I sold the Shopsmith strip sander I had.
Here is the cover pic:





I would be appreciative of any ideas for improving it, as hinted at by Bob.

 

[sasquatch12]

PRM if i may ask, what is the white coupling driving the sander shaft?

 

[frankjh]

PRM if i may ask, what is the white coupling driving the sander shaft?

its a shopsmith drive connector

 

[chris fresh]

I've thought of building one myself,the other night i watched a metal fab vid and the guy was using one.The question i have is,how much crown do the rollers have to have in order to track true?,could i build one using straight rollers that had a shoulder on them?I can get aluminum round stock in any diameter i want,so i was thinking about them out of aluminum with a shoulder,and maybe have a few different locations for grinding.

Some of the Youtube home made stuff is awesome,and the knife grinding vids as well.

 

[rsanter]

You do not need much crown and remember if you add too little you can always take the pully off and add a little more

Bob

 

[chris fresh]

I'm diggin this set up,the guy has some good info and tips,along with names to get pieces.I know i'm going to end up building one,just not this week.

 

[Stephenw]

Kevin;
you can post the pictures......as long as you give copyright credit for each one

That is not true. You must have permission from the copyright owner to use their material. Simply giving credit is not enough.

 

[gtermini]

The question i have is,how much crown do the rollers have to have in order to track true?

About 2 degrees per side on the tracking pulley. On the one I built, I cut the face of the contact wheel square, and crowned the top idler. I left about a 1/4" flat in the center.

Here is a pic I have handy right now, I can take a better one tomorrow. You can't see the crown in the picture at all.

Greyson

 

[e-tek]

What set up is the author using for power?

 

[dogdog]

No I haven't made one....YET!!!
.......
There are two magazines put out by the same place. The Home Shop Machinist and The Machinist Workshop. The magazine that you would want is THE MACHINIST WORKSHOP.

where do you find these two mags ....... haven't seen them in my area at all.

 

[Kevin54]

where do you find these two mags ....... haven't seen them in my area at all.

If you would....put you area in your profile, then we'd know where your area is

I subscribe to The Machinist Workshop and I get The Home Shop Machinist at TSC. But lately, TSC has been getting THe Machinist Workshop, and I end up getting duplicates. By the time I get around to reading them, it's almost too late to take them back.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Aw man!! More cool projects...Kevin you *******!

 

[steel 35]

Every time they pop up I drool but the recently show attachment for the 6X48 to run the 2X72 has me thinking about it nearly every day, I think would I use it, do I need it, how to make it, what wheels to buy, how many different positions, platens would be useful, and how much would it cost

 

[dogdog]

If you would....put you area in your profile, then we'd know where your area is

I subscribe to The Machinist Workshop and I get The Home Shop Machinist at TSC. But lately, TSC has been getting THe Machinist Workshop, and I end up getting duplicates. By the time I get around to reading them, it's almost too late to take them back.

saw something similar, think some knife maker guy was selling the basic kit for without the motor and tubes.

Let me try to stop by to TSC this weekend and see before I commit to subscription..... it's 40 miles away nearest one that means 1:30 drive in traffic.... some where in NJ I have never been to
btw Thanks for the source.

 

[prmindartmouth]

answer for e-tek about power:

I have it mounted on a model 510 Shopsmith, which has a 1 1/8 HP motor and uses mechanical variable pulleys to vary the speed from 700 to 5200rpm.

I also used 2 degrees of crown on the idler pulley.

Here is a pic of the mounting on the Shopsmith:

 

[PCO6]

I haven't seen Jim Stabe post for a while. He's the guy with the "widened" MGB with a Corvette engine. He built a nice home made sander. I always enjoy his posts.