Table Saw Disc Sander

[LX-Markham]

So, in another thread i read an interesting suggestion of using a table saw with a disc sander. What a great idea! So i went looking and found this:

http://www.busybeetools.com/products/sanding-disc-10in.html

But then I started questioning how fast a table saw blade spins versus a normal disc sander.
My table saw: 3450 RPM
Typical disc sander: 1720 RPM

My question is: is the higher RPMs a problem? and/or is there a way of dialing back the speed of the table saw?

 

[rlitman]

Sounds like you have a direct drive tablesaw. My arbor speed is more like 4000 RPM. I wouldn't worry too much about just the RPM. You need to worry about the SFM speed at the outside of the disc, and that's dependent on the diameter. Those 1720 RPM discs are probably bigger than 10".

Anyway, I wouldn't do it. The grit and **** thrown from a sanding disc is not healthy to the innards of a tablesaw that's only designed to handle sawdust inside, and not abrasive dust. I'd be worried about it damaging my trunnions, worm gears, and especially my arbor, as the arbor bearings are more often shielded than truly sealed, and grit can wear out seals anyway.

 

[LX-Markham]

good point
i guess i could do some math to compare the diameter vs rpm vs speed
and yes, my table saw is a direct drive.

would only use it for wood, so sawdust is sawdust, right?


speed at edge
10" x 3450 rpm = 151 ft/s
12" x 1720 rpm = 89 ft/s

still a lot faster

 

[davethorik]

would only use it for wood, so sawdust is sawdust, right?

Except for grit coming off the disk as it wears, yes

 

[guy48065]

I have one of those "sanding disk burners". Worse than useless.
I use it now for saw alignment.

 

[LX-Markham]

"sanding disk burners"

that's what I was worried about.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Some of them have a 2 degree taper on them that you have to set the arbor to 2 degrees to get square edges on what you are doing. Problem is forgetting to set the arbor back to 0 degrees when you are ready to saw. It's a lot of work to use for what little good the sanding disk does. A free standing disk will work a lot better and much faster than having to stop and replace blades... I have one have not used it in probably 30 years don't know if i could find it but know I never thru it away...

 

[LXCam]

I've found the teeth do a lousy job of holding the disc in place on the edge.

 

[American Locomotive]

You should also consider the loading on the arbor bearings. The bearings used in table saws might not appreciate the axial loading disc sanding would put on them. Cutting wood is more of a radial load.

 

[jimreed2160]

This looks like a great idea--on paper. In practice, I'll bet it is a less than optimal solution. The abrasive grit is a problem. The lateral wear is a problem. And then there is the set up and tear down time. Dedicated disc sanders are not that expensive. No setup time and good ones work like magic. I would go for the 12". Dust collection with a shop vac.

A disc sander can really enhance the quality of your shop projects.

 

[derosa]

I have an 11" disc sander kit for my lathe complete with table and miter gauge. Mines an old 5 speed and I find sanding above 2nd speed is just a good way to make tiny chunks of wood with burn marks on them. I suspect that tablesaw adapter will just chew through an object fast with lower grit paper. I would also suspect it can throw a piece of wood before you realize it if it slips too far to one side of the disc.

 

[cgrutt]

Have never used my TS as a sander and not sure how I feel about it, but it is something to think about. One thought is you can probably run your TS through a VFD if RPMs are an issue.

 

[tarmy]

A table saw is designed for a job...and that is not part of the design...

Those bearings are for spinning...not side loads.

 

[bubinga]

Have never used my TS as a sander and not sure how I feel about it, but it is something to think about. One thought is you can probably run your TS through a VFD if RPMs are an issue.

Yeah, if Ya want to buy a VFD and a 3 phase motor.
May as well just buy a disk sander.
They say the Harbor freight one is not bad.

 

[crguy]

Buy an older Delta disc sander and you won't have to make excuses for it like the guys that buy HF.

 

[MikeF2316]

My dad used a sanding disc in his table saw more often than a wood cutting blade. His saw was a Craftsman from the '60s, belt drive. We sanded just as much metal as wood on it too. We never replaced anything on it. He sold it after I moved out to buy a much bigger one, by then he was doing more wood than metal projects.

You just need to have a light touch. Push too hard, you make too much heat, and wreck the sandpaper.

 

[bubinga]

Buy an older Delta disc sander and you won't have to make excuses for it like the guys that buy HF. [emoji38]_hitti

The old craftsman ones are nice too, if you can't find a delta.
I have an old craftsman one.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[firworks]

I got a Hitachi belt and disc sander for 70$ at a pawn shop. Looked brand new and works real nicely. I'd just buy the right tool over rigging something up here.

 

[Coolabah]

A table saw is designed for a job...and that is not part of the design...

Those bearings are for spinning...not side loads.

How so ? I must be missing something here as I have not heard of such a specialised bearing that is unable to take any side loads used in a table saw ( my tablesaw accidentally takes side loads all the time with no ill-effect on the bearings, just burns the wood ) . How are the bearings in a sander different in design ? Not trolling but I am intrigued !

 

[guy48065]

My dad used a sanding disc in his table saw more often than a wood cutting blade. His saw was a Craftsman from the '60s, belt drive. We sanded just as much metal as wood on it too.

I need a good fire extinguisher in my shop. Since you obviously have LOTS of experience putting out fires from grinding over sawdust--tell me which one to get.

 

[crguy]

How so ? I must be missing something here as I have not heard of such a specialised bearing that is unable to take any side loads used in a table saw ( my tablesaw accidentally takes side loads all the time with no ill-effect on the bearings, just burns the wood ) . How are the bearings in a sander different in design ? Not trolling but I am intrigued !

Different bearings are designed for different types of loads. It would take days to explain all the differences.

 

[MikeF2316]

I need a good fire extinguisher in my shop. Since you obviously have LOTS of experience putting out fires from grinding over sawdust--tell me which one to get.

Sorry, never had a fire. There was a portable extinguisher somewhere in the shop.

 

[vettex2]

You should also consider the loading on the arbor bearings. The bearings used in table saws might not appreciate the axial loading disc sanding would put on them. Cutting wood is more of a radial load.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[brianh]

I had one it works ok I found a disk sander in my shop hardly gets used I use my 6x48 belt sander way much more. As for the side loads thats conjecture, there are plenty times a table saw gets side loads, that is not an issue. Used to do coved raised panel doors with a diagonal fence before I got a shaper with no issues thats more side load than sanding ever will do. Big base cove moulding I did for a job a few months ago was done that way out of red oak.

For the occasional project its good.

 

[Coolabah]

Different bearings are designed for different types of loads. It would take days to explain all the differences.

Exactly. So why would a manufacturer of tablesaws choose a bearing that was only good for radial forces? Answer : They wouldn't. There are many bearings available that work brilliantly and accurately and precisely with great longevity for radial forces but will handle all you can throw at them laterally. Having said that , would I use my table saw for a sander ? No. I use a bench grinder that has a commercially sold adaptor type sanding disc and sanding belt that bolts on to my bench grinder. We can have the same argument about bearings for my bench grinder - apparently only good for radial forces if you listen to some on this thread expounding thoughts of a theoretical nature ....not true in my actual working experience . My 2 cents !