Building A Belt Sander?

[Gummi Bear]

I really want one of these:

{See Attatchment, hotlink didn't work}

But it's a little spendy. There are less expensive ones available, I can get one at Northern Tool for $55, but it's not built nearly as well, and the motor is inferior. It'd probably work, but truth be told, I really don't want to add another bench grinder to my collection (somehow I have 4 of the damn things )

Is there a kit, or have one of y'all built one like this before? I've found a couple of setups on knife builders forums, but they still aren't made as well as the Kalamazoo, or have a bunch of wacky bracketry hanging off of them all over the place.

Any thoughts or ideas?

[Todd W]

You can get an attachment like that that has been discussed here before for $117 on ebay then pickup a quality bench grinder on amazon for $105 or $170 depending if youwant 5.5amp or 7.7amp.

[Gummi Bear]

I found the Blue Point one for ~$115 on Ebay, is that pretty much all there is anywhere?

I've got a couple of good 1/2HP American made grinders that are just sitting on a shelf, and not being used. I thought this may be a good use for one of them.

[ABN82MP]

$60 if you dont mind Harbor Freight...

[Gummi Bear]

Originally Posted by ABN82MP

$60 if you dont mind Harbor Freight...

I did see that...

Any idea how they hold up?

Think I could replace the outer drum, and use it for an abrasive notcher?

[Todd W]

Originally Posted by Gummi Bear

I did see that...

Any idea how they hold up?

Think I could replace the outer drum, and use it for an abrasive notcher?

No, not strong enough.

You will need 1.5hp + to do abrasive notching.
1.5hp is pretty good, I bet that one you posted is only 1/3hp.

[Gummi Bear]

If a 1-1/2 HP is needed, then no, this definitely won't cut the mustard.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93981

Looks like it's a 1/2 HP.

[gumbom]

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/

check them out on youtube. many different attachments too.

ive got a PDF drafting drawings to build this machine. then u can use any size motor you want.

email me @ chevota23 at yahoo.ca, or if someone can show me how to attach a pdf so others can download off me???

[gumbom]

search for "KMG belt grinder Demo part 1" on youtube

[Wicked_S10]

If you have time, you could do something like I did, see the thread here clicky. It started life as a cheap 4x36 belt sander, it now has a 3hp motor, extended platen to accept a 4x54 belt, and a grooved rubber contact wheel that eats tubing. The thread has a lot of sources for rubber wheels that may work so you wouldn't necessarily have to make one like I did.

As for the sander when it was bone stock, I did notch tubing with it. It absolutely requires alumina zirconia belts (the blue ones) and it was slow going before the rubber contact wheel. Much better now, but for less than $100 with a 3/4hp motor, it didn't do too badly before.

Later,
Jason

[gumbom]

heres a link to the pdf download on bc4x4

http://bb.bc4x4.com/showthread.php?t=124305

[ScoutIITD]

I've been thinking of using a serpentine belt tensioner to keep the sanding belt tight.

What do you guys think of about it?

[jstarnes]

Originally Posted by ScoutIITD

I've been thinking of using a serpentine belt tensioner to keep the sanding belt tight.

What do you guys think of about it?

it might work ok, but the bitchen sander above looks like it uses a contoured wheel????