Hi all -
I'm in the process of planning my shop... that is SWMBO has told me
to stop thinking about the tools I want and just go get them. Whee!
Just for a little background, my dad had a pretty full shop he used to
build all the cabinets in a couple of our houses. I of course, being an
unruly teen didn't pay as much attention as I should have, but I did
learn some...
About the only thing he didn't have was a typical belt/disc/spindle
sander, but then he mostly made cabinets. He had a homebuilt "thing"
that had a disc sander on it and all kinds of other odds and ends that
spun...
Anyway...
I understand why you'd want a spindle sander completely. No issues
there.
I also understand (via Norm) how a 4' wide belt sander could come in
handy.
I'm a little unsure about why you'd choose a 12" disc vs a 8" vertical
belt sander. Seems like you could accomplish the same thing with either
tool, no? Perhaps sharpening various tools is easier on the belt?
And wouldn't the disc have the advantage that as you moved closer to the
center you're slowing down the RPM's if that's what you need for the
task at hand?
This all arises from looking at the ridgid belt/spindle combo and
wondering why I'd want a *short* horizontal belt sander since it seems
like if I was trying to round over the end of a say 2" wide board, the fact
that it was horizontal would make things difficult as it would
constantly be trying to "pull" the wood sideways.
So... with all that in mind, when would you pick a vertical belt sander
instead of a disc or vice versa? And when would you want a horizontal
sander (that isn't "norm-size")?
Thanks!
-philip
Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
tapped for your lathe), attach a piece of 3/4 ply, round it off at
desired size, apply a velcro pad, or finish the ply for self adhesive
discs. Build a box to sit on your lathe ways, clamped or bolted down,
with the end toward the disc open and a dust port in the other end. The
height of the box should match the center of your spindle. Voila! A
very cheap variable speed disc sander.
I'm of the opinion that I already own enough MOTORS, and have to fit my
shop into a single car garage space, so every time I need another power
tool, I try to adapt one I already have.
Now, if I can just figure out how to make a belt sander for my lathe, I
can get rid of that dinosaur powermatic I have around...
On Mon, 02 May 2005 14:52:42 -0500, Philip Hallstrom <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On 2005-05-02, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
>> faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
>
>I thought about that, but had forgotten since, and in fact have done
>that in the past, although for a quick/hack buffing wheel, but I was
>wondering if the direction of the force applied would affect the
>trueness of the lathe after awhile.
>
>Something similar to how you see recommendations against using your
>drill press as a drum sander...
>
>Although I suppose it's really only an issue if I have dull sandpaper
>and push like a crazy man...
>
>Although this would be a good way to start and would avoid another
>tool... hmmm...
>
>> Now, if I can just figure out how to make a belt sander for my lathe, I
>> can get rid of that dinosaur powermatic I have around...
>
>Couldn't you do the same as you described above? Mount a roller on the
>lathe that went vertically up to another roller with all the necessary
>bolting/boxing/clamping as well?
>
>-philip
>
the problem as I see it is that you begin to turn your lathe into a "shopsmith"
like machine... way too many changes to go from say, turning a bowl to sanding a
flat piece of wood, to sanding contours..
I have a Shopsmith, and over the years have added a lathe, belt/disk sander,
grinder/buffer, etc.. t avoid all those setup changes..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
"Philip Hallstrom" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2005-05-02, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
> > faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
>
> I thought about that, but had forgotten since, and in fact have done
> that in the past, although for a quick/hack buffing wheel, but I was
> wondering if the direction of the force applied would affect the
> trueness of the lathe after awhile.
>
> Something similar to how you see recommendations against using your
> drill press as a drum sander...
>
No problem with sanding on the lathe, though you might want to consider one
of the commercially available 10" discs bolted to a trued faceplate. Better
adhesion and heat dispersal.
For toys and small stuff, the disc and OSS have to be the choice. I don't
even keep a belt on my belt/disc sander. One goes on when it's needed.
Planes and shaves do the work he does better.
David wrote:
> What sort of stuff do you use it on, Barry?
Usually fine tuning miters and fitting moldings to exact length. The
sander is located in my assembly area. I've also used it to quickly
modify biscuits for weird uses, like insertion into grooves cut with a
router and slot cutter.
In certain situations, I'll cut a molding slightly long and freehand it
to exact fit with the sander.
Someone mentioned sharpening. I don't do any of that on a sander, as I
have a nice grinder, and I like to keep the sparks and glowing metal
bits out of the dust collector.
Barry
I would recommend spending some time understanding what you want to do with
the shop and machines and carefully selecting equipment to meet that end.
I got a lot of use out of a simple disk sander well before I owned a
stationary belt or spindle sander. The disk does a lot of things well
including light blade dressing you mention. I get the most use from lightly
smoothing miter cut surfaces prior to joining.
The spindle came along last when I started working with more curved surfaces
and sculpting. Now I am considering a hand-held drum for similar purposes.
Again, concentrate your time and starting cash on basics - The best
tablesaw, jointer, surface planer, clamps and key hand tools you can afford
Wise investment here will pay dividends forever.
RonB
mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I never move the table on mine.. hmm...
> I have this one:
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38360
>
> or, if that's too long, http://tinyurl.com/brwph
>
> It goes on "sale" a few times a year for about $160... I use the hell
> out of it and it's taken it well..
>
>
> mac
>
Mac,
How long have you had it? I came close to buying one a while back - went
to the local store (PDX) to have a look at it. The floor model had a
busted disk. It looked really thin, to me.
So I bought a Jet bandsaw instead ;-) ....
But seriously, if you don't have problems with deflection in the disk,
I'll have to revisit my thinking the next time I see it on sale.
Regards,
JT
On Mon, 02 May 2005 11:19:35 -0500, Philip Hallstrom
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>I'm a little unsure about why you'd choose a 12" disc vs a 8" vertical
>belt sander. Seems like you could accomplish the same thing with either
>tool, no? Perhaps sharpening various tools is easier on the belt?
>
>And wouldn't the disc have the advantage that as you moved closer to the
>center you're slowing down the RPM's if that's what you need for the
>task at hand?
>
>This all arises from looking at the ridgid belt/spindle combo and
>wondering why I'd want a *short* horizontal belt sander since it seems
>like if I was trying to round over the end of a say 2" wide board, the fact
>that it was horizontal would make things difficult as it would
>constantly be trying to "pull" the wood sideways.
>So... with all that in mind, when would you pick a vertical belt sander
>instead of a disc or vice versa? And when would you want a horizontal
>sander (that isn't "norm-size")?
I've got one of those combination beasts with the 4" belt and 6" disc.
What I've found is that I use the belt sander most often (usually it
gets used for flattening glued-up components, for example- when I make
a short table leg out of two pieces of 4/4 stock, and they shift
slightly when clamping, the belt sander works great for hogging the
excess off.) But the disc sander works very well for doing things
like rounding the corners off of stock. The disc sander has a little
table in front of it (this can be set for use with the belt sander as
well, but it isn't very useful in that capacity) that helps keep the
sanded area perpendicular to the base. It also does not seem to get
clogged nearly as quickly.
As to which one is "better"- who knows? Get one of each, or one of
the combo ones that are all over, and try them out!
>Thanks!
>
>-philip
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
Using the 1" belt sander it found a nail and sparks from it found
sanding dust in the case and that ended up smoldering enough that it
was all cleaned out. Glad I was still in the area when it happened.
On Mon, 02 May 2005 12:44:31 -0700, David <[email protected]> wrote:
>Some of the 45º miters I've cut on my CMS don't quite "cut it", so I
>touch them up at the belt sander with a accurately set miter gauge. :)
> Different strokes...
>
>I DO use my belt sander for metal, with the appropriate belts. I vacuum
>up the mess after shutting down the sander to avoid sparks.
>
>Dave
>
>B a r r y wrote:
>
>> David wrote:
>>
>>> What sort of stuff do you use it on, Barry?
>>
>>
>> Usually fine tuning miters and fitting moldings to exact length. The
>> sander is located in my assembly area. I've also used it to quickly
>> modify biscuits for weird uses, like insertion into grooves cut with a
>> router and slot cutter.
>>
>> In certain situations, I'll cut a molding slightly long and freehand it
>> to exact fit with the sander.
>>
>> Someone mentioned sharpening. I don't do any of that on a sander, as I
>> have a nice grinder, and I like to keep the sparks and glowing metal
>> bits out of the dust collector.
>>
>> Barry
FWIW, I have a belt/disc sander and NEVER use the disc. I'd rather have
another belt sander on it's long edge and also a 1" wide belt sander,
but I've never had a need to use the disc. I wish I had the room and
money for more belt sanders, including a Performax 22 incher. Maybe
some day...
I build furniture and cabinets. No toys or small items.
OTOH, certain WW hobbies probably can make use of a disc sander.
Dave
Philip Hallstrom wrote:
> Hi all -
> I'm in the process of planning my shop... that is SWMBO has told me
> to stop thinking about the tools I want and just go get them. Whee!
>
> Just for a little background, my dad had a pretty full shop he used to
> build all the cabinets in a couple of our houses. I of course, being an
> unruly teen didn't pay as much attention as I should have, but I did
> learn some...
>
> About the only thing he didn't have was a typical belt/disc/spindle
> sander, but then he mostly made cabinets. He had a homebuilt "thing"
> that had a disc sander on it and all kinds of other odds and ends that
> spun...
>
> Anyway...
>
> I understand why you'd want a spindle sander completely. No issues
> there.
>
> I also understand (via Norm) how a 4' wide belt sander could come in
> handy.
>
> I'm a little unsure about why you'd choose a 12" disc vs a 8" vertical
> belt sander. Seems like you could accomplish the same thing with either
> tool, no? Perhaps sharpening various tools is easier on the belt?
>
> And wouldn't the disc have the advantage that as you moved closer to the
> center you're slowing down the RPM's if that's what you need for the
> task at hand?
>
> This all arises from looking at the ridgid belt/spindle combo and
> wondering why I'd want a *short* horizontal belt sander since it seems
> like if I was trying to round over the end of a say 2" wide board, the fact
> that it was horizontal would make things difficult as it would
> constantly be trying to "pull" the wood sideways.
>
> So... with all that in mind, when would you pick a vertical belt sander
> instead of a disc or vice versa? And when would you want a horizontal
> sander (that isn't "norm-size")?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -philip
On Tue, 03 May 2005 11:56:51 -0500, Philip Hallstrom <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On 2005-05-03, mac davis <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Mon, 02 May 2005 14:52:42 -0500, Philip Hallstrom <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>On 2005-05-02, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>> Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
>>>> faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
>[snip]
>>>
>>>-philip
>>>
>> the problem as I see it is that you begin to turn your lathe into a "shopsmith"
>> like machine... way too many changes to go from say, turning a bowl to sanding a
>> flat piece of wood, to sanding contours..
>> I have a Shopsmith, and over the years have added a lathe, belt/disk sander,
>> grinder/buffer, etc.. t avoid all those setup changes..
>
>That's true, but honestly I haven't used my lathe in almost a year...
>hmm... that's about how old my son is :) so I have a feeling 99% of the
>time it would be set up as a sander...
>
>still, that's a good point and one of the things I found over and over
>when reading about belt/disc combos was how many people hated having to
>move the table from one to the other and back again...
>
>-philip
I never move the table on mine.. hmm...
I have this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38360
or, if that's too long, http://tinyurl.com/brwph
It goes on "sale" a few times a year for about $160... I use the hell out of it
and it's taken it well..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On 2005-05-02, RonB <[email protected]> wrote:
> I would recommend spending some time understanding what you want to do with
> the shop and machines and carefully selecting equipment to meet that end.
Ah... now you've got me in a pickle :-) There are *tons* of things I
want to do! :) Wooden toys for my kid, jewelry boxes for the wife,
bandsaw boxes for friends, bowls (already have a litte lathe), kitchen
island, cabinet for the tv... and the list goes on :)
>
> I got a lot of use out of a simple disk sander well before I owned a
> stationary belt or spindle sander. The disk does a lot of things well
> including light blade dressing you mention. I get the most use from lightly
> smoothing miter cut surfaces prior to joining.
>
> The spindle came along last when I started working with more curved surfaces
> and sculpting. Now I am considering a hand-held drum for similar purposes.
I can see a use for a disc/belt sander as well as a spindle right off
the bat (for the toys at the very least), just having difficulty
understanding the advantage b/n the disc (either horizontal or vertical)
and a disc sander.
Come to think of it... I don't think I've ever seen norm use anything
other than his long belt sander or his spindle sander, but then again
he's usually smoothing table legs or headboards or the like and then it
makes sense.
> Again, concentrate your time and starting cash on basics - The best
> tablesaw, jointer, surface planer, clamps and key hand tools you can afford
> Wise investment here will pay dividends forever.
Agreed... I've got that list pretty well down, just trying to round out
the initial list... like to have all my lists in a row you know :)
Thanks!
-philip
On 2005-05-02, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
> faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
I thought about that, but had forgotten since, and in fact have done
that in the past, although for a quick/hack buffing wheel, but I was
wondering if the direction of the force applied would affect the
trueness of the lathe after awhile.
Something similar to how you see recommendations against using your
drill press as a drum sander...
Although I suppose it's really only an issue if I have dull sandpaper
and push like a crazy man...
Although this would be a good way to start and would avoid another
tool... hmmm...
> Now, if I can just figure out how to make a belt sander for my lathe, I
> can get rid of that dinosaur powermatic I have around...
Couldn't you do the same as you described above? Mount a roller on the
lathe that went vertically up to another roller with all the necessary
bolting/boxing/clamping as well?
-philip
On 2005-05-03, mac davis <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 02 May 2005 14:52:42 -0500, Philip Hallstrom <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>On 2005-05-02, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Since you have a lathe, you already have a disc sander. Dedicate a
>>> faceplate (or make one with a block of wood, side grain, drilled and
[snip]
>>
>>-philip
>>
> the problem as I see it is that you begin to turn your lathe into a "shopsmith"
> like machine... way too many changes to go from say, turning a bowl to sanding a
> flat piece of wood, to sanding contours..
> I have a Shopsmith, and over the years have added a lathe, belt/disk sander,
> grinder/buffer, etc.. t avoid all those setup changes..
That's true, but honestly I haven't used my lathe in almost a year...
hmm... that's about how old my son is :) so I have a feeling 99% of the
time it would be set up as a sander...
still, that's a good point and one of the things I found over and over
when reading about belt/disc combos was how many people hated having to
move the table from one to the other and back again...
-philip
Some of the 45º miters I've cut on my CMS don't quite "cut it", so I
touch them up at the belt sander with a accurately set miter gauge. :)
Different strokes...
I DO use my belt sander for metal, with the appropriate belts. I vacuum
up the mess after shutting down the sander to avoid sparks.
Dave
B a r r y wrote:
> David wrote:
>
>> What sort of stuff do you use it on, Barry?
>
>
> Usually fine tuning miters and fitting moldings to exact length. The
> sander is located in my assembly area. I've also used it to quickly
> modify biscuits for weird uses, like insertion into grooves cut with a
> router and slot cutter.
>
> In certain situations, I'll cut a molding slightly long and freehand it
> to exact fit with the sander.
>
> Someone mentioned sharpening. I don't do any of that on a sander, as I
> have a nice grinder, and I like to keep the sparks and glowing metal
> bits out of the dust collector.
>
> Barry