what metalworking disc/belt sander do you use?

[muibubbles]

excuse me for my noobness, but whats the difference between a wood and metal sander? is it just the sanding discs?

 

[Vinko]

AFAIK, yes. Maybe some are marketed one way or another, but I'm unaware of the difference (at least in the days of the Delta AFM and the like). Anyone else?

 

[metal1313]

speed, and really mostly power. metal ones will prob also have better/stonger parts to stand up to heavy work, along with better bearings to deal with metal dust

 

[2oolhound]

A lot of manufacturers refer to wood tools as "sanders" and metal tools as "grinders"

 

[larry4406]

Anyone have either of these from Grizzly? Do they work ok on metal?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combo-2-Belt-Sander-6-Disc-Sander/H7761

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combo-Belt-Sander-Grinder/H7760

The instrtuction manual states that the supplied belt is for non-ferrous, but one would think that you could swap out the belt and grind metal.

Seems similar to the Multitool regarding shaft 3450 rpm (surface feet per minute of belt not given), but they use a smaller length belt 27" vs 36".

Quite a bit less money and includes the motor.

 

[autoclassicnut]

Let's give this a bump... I'm still trying to decide which one I want...

 

[Desert1957]

TTT

Stumbled on this thread, please update any new info with pics,prices,and specs

thanks Desert

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a Wilton combination 12" disc/6x48 inch belt. Hands down probably the most used piece of equipment in my shop. Seems like there is always a rough edge or a burr that needs attention.

Mike.

 

[organ]

KMG 2x72, I also have their 9" disc grinder but it's not attached to anything at the moment...

 

[justanengineer]

Since this thread came back, I didnt see the question answered too well, and thought someone might like a bit more info...

excuse me for my noobness, but whats the difference between a wood and metal sander? is it just the sanding discs?

No, a disc/belt sander is relatively slow at ~2k sfm (surface feet/min) vs a disc/belt grinder at 2-3x that. The power is also usually lacking. The old Rockwell 6x48 I had had either a 1/2 or 3/4 hp motor (dont remember which), kinda wimpy for grinding metal but perfect for sanding wood. A true belt grinder usually has ~1/2-1 hp/inch width of belt. I thought about re-powering and speeding up the old sander, but realistically the bearings, tracking wheels, and tension mech wouldve needed to be replaced to handle the higher tension on the belts necessary to run higher speeds. Later this summer I'm going to build a 2" belt grinder once I get finished re-framing my workbench to mount it and other tools.

 

[crewchief888]

since i didnt have one when this thread was started,

i'll chime in now...


mines an import from KBC tool & machinery...

havent had an issue with it in the 6 months i've had it...

i didnt like the short base that was included with the sander. i re-purposed a HF tool stand i already had, and mounted it to a movers dolly

 

[kazlx]

Had a 6x48/12" combo Rockwell in primo condition. It sucked for metal work and all I ever used was the disc. Sold it for more than I paid for it and bought a HF 12" disc out of sheer need. It works pretty damn well, but it is just a motor and a table. I plan on machining a better table for it and I think it would work even better. Next step will be a 20" Apex. Also planning on the multi-tool grinder and building an EERF grinder (FREE backwards).

http://www.wilmontgrinders.com/Pages/EERFGrinder.aspx