metalworking belt/disk sander recommendation

[BTL-A4]

I have a Bucktool 8" disc/4" belt sander. It works fine, but it has mostly plastic covers and when I'm sanding steel, I'm concerned the sparks will melt or set the plastic on fire. Are there other options? I mostly sand smaller parts; the biggest steel pieces would be about 2" on a given side, so a 2-3" belt width should be good.

I've looked on FB and CL and people have junk for gold-plated prices, or something similar to or smaller than what I already have. I like the two tables I have on my existing sander and so many of the machines currently for sale only have one table. I've thought of buying 2 machines and taking the table off one, but then I'm left with a sander with no table. Most if them don't have tables available as spare parts anymore.

I've also thought of making a table (I have a mill and a lathe).

Thanks!

 

[Steve_P]

Have you looked at what Kalamazoo has to offer? Not cheap, but USA made and industrial quality. I have their 2FSM sander.

 

[GeoBruin]

The Grizzly/Jet combos are popular, and grizzly at least makes a model with a higher belt speed specifically for metal (careful, the wood and metal versions look identical) . Otherwise an old delta or powermatic can make nice options used. Kalamazoo is great if you can find one used. They're pretty pricey new.

I'm putting this heavy sucker together at the moment.

 

[tarbellb]

Got a budget?
If you're looking for the best bang to buck and going new it's hard to beat:

HF 12" disc sander
paired w
any decent bench mount grinder and belt attachment from multiple vendors

Beyond that it starts getting really muddy on price vs performance vs availability

 

[kyrbz]

I’ve used a Multitool for years on a 1.5hp grinder and have been happy with it. I wouldn’t recommend the larger size one with 4” belt because it needs a really high hp grinder

https://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool_2_x_36_inch_Belt_Grinder_Attachment_MT362_305?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD3SIVRO8exvfM8aeUVmpRCx7SNbz&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0ffY1KO6iQMV4nN_AB3RTBw5EAQYByABEgJxDPD_BwE

 

[RMERR]

I've got both (wood and metal versions) of the Grizzly belt/disc units mentioned by GeoBruin and like them. They're $1100-1200 new about half that when used. Also Burr Kings if you want a lifetime type industrial strength (priced accordingly). The Kalamazoos are pretty decent too, fairly compact, Baldor motors, not cheap but not crazy expensive. The 2" X 48" 2FSM also mentioned is $600 shipped from Acme tools. I'm close to pulling the trigger on one of these myself to add to my abrasive machines. Plan to run a scotchbrite belt on it. Your budget's going to determine a lot as to your options.

https://www.acmetools.com/kalamazoo-2in-x-48in-belt-sander-industrial-abrasive-metal-2fsm/411167000060.html?msclkid=eee7145f262813ae7c4572a7977808ab&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-National-Search Only-Profit Margin Target-26-27&utm_term=4581527534201722&utm_content=Profit Margin 26% - 27%

 

[ricleh]

I've had a Delta 31-730 for 35 years and it has worked well for me. Well worth it to look for a used one.

 

[BTL-A4]

My budget at this time is around $200 or less.

Here's what I'm looking at:

$75 Needs belts and a table for the belt. Looks like it has plastic shrouds.


$160 (was $200) I messaged the seller to ask if t here was a table, but no reply so far. Grizzly has spare parts; it would be about $50 or so to get a new table. This one appears to be all metal.


$149. Appears to be all metal, but price seems high given condition. Disc is smaller than what I currently have.


$80. No table, no disc. Looks like it's all metal.

A Harbor Freight 12" disc sander is $190. Looks like it has a plastic shroud.


There's a used Central Machinery #10442 10" disc sander for sale for $150. That seems high. It looks like it has a plastic shroud as well. The table looks too low.


There are others for sale, but they are too big (floor standing) or way out of my current price range.

 

[GeoBruin]

My budget at this time is around $200 or less.

Here's what I'm looking at:

$75 Needs belts and a table for the belt. Looks like it has plastic shrouds.


$160 (was $200) I messaged the seller to ask if t here was a table, but no reply so far. Grizzly has spare parts; it would be about $50 or so to get a new table. This one appears to be all metal.


$149. Appears to be all metal, but price seems high given condition. Disc is smaller than what I currently have.


$80. No table, no disc. Looks like it's all metal.

A Harbor Freight 12" disc sander is $190. Looks like it has a plastic shroud.


There's a used Central Machinery #10442 10" disc sander for sale for $150. That seems high. It looks like it has a plastic shroud as well. The table looks too low.


There are others for sale, but they are too big (floor standing) or way out of my current price range.

Are you able to fabricate a table? That might open up your options.

 

[BTL-A4]

Are you able to fabricate a table? That might open up your options.

Yes, I think I could manage that. Might be fun, too. I would need to see how the tables attach to anything I'm considering and see if making a table will work.

 

[tarbellb]

Of those options the Craftsman will serve you pretty well for a while (cant make out what that 6" belt only is?)
I beat the hell out of a very similar model until I upgraded

Should be noted ALL of those are geared towards woodworking ie slower rpms to not burn up wood

They will be fine, just need to be cautious if you are running heavy grinds, anything flammable behind the sparks is open to melting or burning. Again, only on really heavy sessions

 

[BTL-A4]

Of those options the Craftsman will serve you pretty well for a while (cant make out what that 6" belt only is?)
I beat the hell out of a very similar model until I upgraded

Should be noted ALL of those are geared towards woodworking ie slower rpms to not burn up wood

They will be fine, just need to be cautious if you are running heavy grinds, anything flammable behind the sparks is open to melting or burning. Again, only on really heavy sessions

So waddya think I should offer for the Craftsman one? $150 seems way too high, but I could be wrong. A new (plastic one) at HF is about $90.

 

[tarbellb]

So waddya think I should offer for the Craftsman one? $150 seems way too high, but I could be wrong. A new (plastic one) at HF is about $90.

Without the table you've got some wiggle room, I would throw out $75-100 to get a read on it

Countersinking a small plate to that arm would make a decent table

I'm also interested to see what floor standing models you mentioned, those are typically a beefier setup and may be worth checking out