Variable speed belt AND disc sander- who makes one?

[tarbellb]

Im looking for a combination sander with variable speed, not even sure if they exist?

Ideal machine would be a 6" x 48" belt with a 12" disc. A thinner belt could be ok too.

Variable speed via a VFD I would think, similar to the Tekna NOVA dvr dp.
https://www.teknatool.com/?product=nova-voyager-dvr-drill-press

I know there are a lot of smaller belt sanders for the knife/metal community offering a vari speed option. This could a be a route I go, but packing both the disc and belt into a single footprint/motor would be nice.

Is there a decent quality machine that offers this combination?

*** Modifying a machine for VFD is not a option, this is for a client who does not want to be messing with modifications***

 

[rsanter]

All the ones I have seen are the smaller homeowner light duty units. Never seen an industrial one.
Buy an industrial one with a 3ph motor and use a VFD

 

[theoldwizard1]

Find an old Craftsman belt/disc sander and replace the motor with a DC motor.

 

[bubinga]

Find an old Craftsman belt/disc sander and replace the motor with a DC motor.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This, but old craftsman are usually only 9" disk.
OP does not want to be modding.

 

[454ragtop]

The client may not wish to get involved with modifications, but if it doesn't exist, what's he going to do? Adding a 3 phase motor and VFD to an existing sander isn't much of a modification.

 

[yaidunno]

Burr King has variable speed machines, but they are individual, not combination. There is a reason for this as well. You will pay a good amount for them, however. The convenience of not having to build your own setup comes at a cost.

Any belt/disc machine under $500 aint worth the power to blow it to hell. The Deltas and Powermatic's are nice machines that offer reasonable SFPM rates, but will need a VFD and Pot added. Burr King's are the cream of the crop and offer SFPM rates that will chew through steel like butter.

What will this machine be used for?

 

[gte718p]

This is one of those half baked question. What is it going to be used for? What is the budget? If it is for a client, what is your involvement?

As has been pointed out, your average homeowner machine is out without major modification. Understand the client doesn't want to do it. If they are a client, can you do it and deliver a finished product? If not there are quite a few companies who will make one for you. Baileigh, Kalamazoo both do custom/prototype work.

It will have the look and feel of an OEM, but you are talking serious coin. It really only makes sense if you are in some kind of odd production environment. I say odd, because most of the industrial machines are speed for the job they are going to do so they have little to know speed adjustment.

King Industrial makes a nice one that would be easy to convert. You could cal them and see if they would sell you a 3 phase one.

Alibaba will make you anything you want. I would be surprised if there is not a Burr King knock off already offered. Quality, that is an open question.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Cheapest way is to buy a run of the mill used Delta / Rockwell 6x48, get a used 3 phase motor from CL, and add an ebay VFD.

Burr King and other big dog knife maker sanders are sweet, but sound out of your budget. My buddy owns Ameribrade, so I have one of those 2x72, but still kept my Rockwell 6x48. I will do 3ph/vfd as soon as I get some ambition.

 

[exmaxima1]

Cheapest way is to buy a run of the mill used Delta / Rockwell 6x48, get a used 3 phase motor from CL, and add an ebay VFD.

Exactly. Just a few weeks ago I bought a NIB 2hp Toshiba VFD for $53 shipped, and later picked up a US-made Marathon 1.5hp motor for $30 on CL. I'm thinking of putting it on my old Delta bandsaw. You can't buy a variable speed conversion much cheaper than that. Look for deals.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you watch some videos, the comparable NF belt/disk sander is not too bad ! Like most HF stuff, they cheaped out on things like bearings or did not bother to "true" some of the rotating parts like the end roller. There are several YouTube videos that point out theses weak areas and how to upgrade them for not a lot of money.

 

[tarbellb]

The client is a buddy of mine that request my help for things like this, his budget is basically unlimited for the right machine. He will be doing both metal and wood, hence the variable speed / one machine idea.

He doesnt need a industrial machine, it will only see light to medium use, and footprint, noise, safety(excessive hp), and ease of use are all important. Think UltimateGarage type client.

But that is why I am asking, I personally didnt know of any quality light industrial machines that offer both a combination and variable speed.

I am well aware of VFD machine modifying and if it was for me I would go that route. But I dont think the client wants a modified machine with all the related risk (warranty, potential electrical issues, lack of knowledge on setup, etc..)

Many of you will balk at the above statement, but the buyer isnt as comfortable with modifying and machines like some here. Also, he is in another state and I dont have any connections for getting a VFD setup in that location.
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Seems there isnt much in the variable speed combo sander situation, thanks for all the replies.

I will likely be referring him to a Grizzly 6"x48" + 12" Combo Sander, they offer both a 5000FPM and 2500FPM for metal or wood, let him decide.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combination-Sander-6-x-48-Belt-12-Disc-3450-RPM/G1183

 

[yaidunno]

Seems there isnt much in the variable speed combo sander situation, thanks for all the replies.

I will likely be referring him to a Grizzly 6"x48" + 12" Combo Sander, they offer both a 5000FPM and 2500FPM for metal or wood, let him decide.

Given the restrictive constraints, I think you're probably on the right track. As you have found, there really isn't much out there for high end, light duty equipment in this category that is turn key. It's too bad, because a properly setup VFD will provide years of worry free service. But I do understand where someone like him is coming from.

 

[tarbellb]

Thanks again yaidunno, good feedback.

Shopping this out one more time to see if anybody knows of a OEM that does a light industrial Combo Belt + Disc Sander with Variable speed?

Or anybody in the Albuquerque area that knows how to (confidently) setup a VFD on a new machine.

 

[bubinga]

Given the restrictive constraints, I think you're probably on the right track. As you have found, there really isn't much out there for high end, light duty equipment in this category that is turn key. It's too bad, because a properly setup VFD will provide years of worry free service. But I do understand where someone like him is coming from.

Yeah, My teco VFD (110 volt input) has been working flawlessly for about 7 years. Albeit, It has not seen heavy use.
It is A extra slick set-up, as it uses A Reeves drive and a VFD.
Again, I do understand you clients viewpoint.

 

[cheechi]

He will be doing both metal and wood ... one machine

That's a lot of disc and belt changing just to be able to use one machine. What kind of metal? Really should be looking for what he needs for wood, and what he needs for metal, in separate units.

 

[bubinga]

That's a lot of disc and belt changing just to be able to use one machine. What kind of metal? Really should be looking for what he needs for wood, and what he needs for metal, in separate units.

yeah, would be the best, unless it's just light De-burring.