Vintage Belt Sander Recommendations?

[ALTEREGO]

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first belt sander. My budget is very limited but if at all possible, I would like to buy a good quality, small unit. Easy to repair/rebuild, vintage and made in the USA would be extra nice.

I've read on this forum about the Craftsman block bench grinders (trying to score on of those for a great price as well hahaha) and how they are considered by many to be superior to many modern models (surprise surprise!).

Is there a highly praised and sought after belt sander equivalent to the Craftsman block grinder? If not, any recommendations?

I would be using it mostly on small to medium metal parts for hydraulic jacks, bench vises, home repairs, etc.

Please let me know if additional information would be useful and I will update the post, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Provincial]

It sounds like you are looking for a bench-mounted belt sander. A common size is the 1" x 42". Belts are readily available for this size, and units of this size generally have enough power to remove a reasonable amount of material.

Larger units generally are much more expensive, and the belts also cost a lot more.

There are many units available in 1x42, and one thing I have found to be important is the ease of changing belts. Some models are easier than others. I often change belts to use coarser or finer grit, depending on the project at hand.

Since this is for personal use, you can make the decision on using guarding, or not. I leave the guards off one machine to make changing belts easier. This machine is direct drive and does not present as much of a risk as a belt-drive unit.

 

[lafester]

I think craftsman had some decent sanders that can often be found cheap.



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[ALTEREGO]

It sounds like you are looking for a bench-mounted belt sander. A common size is the 1" x 42". Belts are readily available for this size, and units of this size generally have enough power to remove a reasonable amount of material.

Larger units generally are much more expensive, and the belts also cost a lot more.

There are many units available in 1x42, and one thing I have found to be important is the ease of changing belts. Some models are easier than others. I often change belts to use coarser or finer grit, depending on the project at hand.

Since this is for personal use, you can make the decision on using guarding, or not. I leave the guards off one machine to make changing belts easier. This machine is direct drive and does not present as much of a risk as a belt-drive unit.

Hi Provincial,

That is exactly what I needed to know: "Bench Mounted Belt Sander"!

I'm glad there are many available and thanks for bringing up the belt changing aspect, I would have never though of that!

Do you have any specific models that you would recommend or that you like? Thank you for your help!

I think craftsman had some decent sanders that can often be found cheap.

Hi Lafester,

Those are some really nice sanders, I think I like the one on the third picture the best. Do you recommend any Craftsman model in specific? Do you think an older model would be better than a newer one?

Provincial mentioned the belt-changing aspect as one important thing to consider, do you have any other suggestions that I should consider?

Thank you for your help and the pictures, pictures always motivate me hahaha!

 

[Provincial]

If you have use for the disc part of the combination sanders, that would be a good alternative. If you don't, they add bulk and complication to the machine. Notice that most of the combination machines are belt driven, which adds complexity and need for guarding or caution in use.

Here is a photo of a Dayton 1/3 hp 9x42 I bought at an auto swap meet in June of 2018 for $15.00. It has enough power to deburr steel parts, round corners, and do mild contouring. The belt changes in seconds. It currently just sits on a bench, but I find mounting these sanders on a grinder stand to be the best option.

 

[FrankLee]

I use my 2" x 42" sander with a zirconia belt quite often. I don't use the 6" disk much. I don't consider this a vintage machine, tho.

I no longer have the larger 6" x 48" sander shown in the background. The idler bearings for those Craftsman sanders are no longer available. Belt tracking on those can also be a problem.


The earlier cast iron Craftsman grinders are very nice. Mine is 1/3 hp.

 

[xman_charl]

modified hf belt sander several years ago

motor is 1 1/2 hp, 3,500 rpm

with pulleys..rpm is 2,700

use 6x48 inch zirconia belts

Charl

 

[ALTEREGO]

I use my 2" x 42" sander with a zirconia belt quite often. I don't use the 6" disk much. I don't consider this a vintage machine, tho.

I no longer have the larger 6" x 48" sander shown in the background. The idler bearings for those Craftsman sanders are no longer available. Belt tracking on those can also be a problem.


The earlier cast iron Craftsman grinders are very nice. Mine is 1/3 hp.

Hi FrankLee,

Those are nice tools right there! I think that is a great point, if I were to find a good quality vintage machine, how likely is it that I can find parts for things that need to be replaced regularly...

Thanks for your input!

 

[ALTEREGO]

If you have use for the disc part of the combination sanders, that would be a good alternative. If you don't, they add bulk and complication to the machine. Notice that most of the combination machines are belt driven, which adds complexity and need for guarding or caution in use.

Here is a photo of a Dayton 1/3 hp 9x42 I bought at an auto swap meet in June of 2018 for $15.00. It has enough power to deburr steel parts, round corners, and do mild contouring. The belt changes in seconds. It currently just sits on a bench, but I find mounting these sanders on a grinder stand to be the best option.

Wow, I really like that Dayton sander! I have small children and safety is a top priority, the littlest one is a trouble maker!

Also, I recently found what I think it was a good deal on an old Taiwanese Dayton bench grinder and I really like it, is very quiet and smooth. That was a super nice find Provincial!

Thanks for sharing.

modified hf belt sander several years ago

motor is 1 1/2 hp, 3,500 rpm

with pulleys..rpm is 2,700

use 6x48 inch zirconia belts

Charl

Oh wow, was it costly to do the upgrade? That looks like a solid, powerful tool you made, thanks for sharing Charl!

 

[FrankLee]

Hi FrankLee,

Those are nice tools right there! I think that is a great point, if I were to find a good quality vintage machine, how likely is it that I can find parts for things that need to be replaced regularly...

Thanks for your input!

I should elaborate a little...

Some older Craftsman power tools (band saws, belt sanders, table saws, others?) utilize a water pump style bearing. Water pump bearings ARE still available, but the shafts may need special machining to match the Craftsman oe parts; keyways, flats, bores, threads, etc.

 

[lafester]

Older tools are built to last, but if something does break you are on your own for parts. Ebay is the best source, or locate a second machine for parts.

Most bearings are still available unless they are proprietary.

Hi FrankLee,

Those are nice tools right there! I think that is a great point, if I were to find a good quality vintage machine, how likely is it that I can find parts for things that need to be replaced regularly...

Thanks for your input!

 

[ALTEREGO]

I should elaborate a little...

Some older Craftsman power tools (band saws, belt sanders, table saws, others?) utilize a water pump style bearing. Water pump bearings ARE still available, but the shafts may need special machining to match the Craftsman oe parts; keyways, flats, bores, threads, etc.

Thanks for the clarification Frank, I do not have access to modify let alone create new parts so that is definitely a disadvantage of vintage tools for me.

Older tools are built to last, but if something does break you are on your own for parts. Ebay is the best source, or locate a second machine for parts.

Most bearings are still available unless they are proprietary.

Thank you Lafester, that makes sense. Sometimes an old quality vintage tool in need of little TLC can be purchased by less than half what a new, not so good, modern imported tool costs. And a lot of times those imported units are not designed to be rebuild and most times they are not worth the trouble even if they were rebuild-able.

 

[2oolhound]

I think craftsman had some decent sanders that can often be found cheap.

i have this one and love it. 1 HP 2" x 42" but you can put 1" belts on it. You can swap belts in seconds with no tools.

They are not being made anymore but if you find a good deal on one I'm sure you'd be happy.

I didn't think I'd like the disc sander on the side but the neighbor broke her shovel handle and I was able to cut it flush and sand the new taper in seconds just by hand holding it to the wheel.

 

[ALTEREGO]

i have this one and love it. 1 HP 2" x 42" but you can put 1" belts on it. You can swap belts in seconds with no tools.

They are not being made anymore but if you find a good deal on one I'm sure you'd be happy.

I didn't think I'd like the disc sander on the side but the neighbor broke her shovel handle and I was able to cut it flush and sand the new taper in seconds just by hand holding it to the wheel.

Hi ToolH,

Thank you for the recommendation, I'll keep an eye open for one of those, good to know the belt can be replaced easily on those units.

 

[lafester]

That 1hp is kind of hard to find. I've been looking fo awhile now.

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[exmaxima1]

That 1hp is kind of hard to find. I've been looking fo awhile now.

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Keep in mind that's 1 HP Maximum Developed (Downhill with the wind).

 

[lafester]

Keep in mind that's 1 HP Maximum Developed (Downhill with the wind).

True, but the all the other models they made are much worse.

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