Building a belt sander

[Mace]

Anyone know of some online plans for building your own belt sander?

I am looking for one that will run a 20" x 1" or so belt off of my old 8" disc sander.

It can't be that tough to make your own.. Just a frame and some wheels..

 

[Scamper]

Not sure what you're asking for. I can only think of two types of sanders I would call "belt sanders". One is the hand-held type that's typically 3x21 or 4x24 inch, and the other is a big-ass thing that must be several foot long by about 18 inches that you pass material under. I can imagine building the latter version...

20 x 1 sounds strange to me, but maybe I've just never seen such a sander...

 

[Mace]

like this, but more usefull..

 

[rusty_tlc]

How about just modifing you bench grinder like this?

 

[Mace]

Thought about it, but I would like a bit more utility to it.

there is an awesome video on one that I found on the net.

Gotta track it back down..

 

[Mace]

Here is the link that I am going to copy
http://beaumontmetalworks.com/

 

[Waorani]

There's gotta be some knife making forums out there that have info about building belt sanders. I also received a catalog a few years ago that sold all kinds of custom knive building supplies and I believe I remember that there were parts for building your own belt sander. Anyway, a possible angle to check out. Also I think the knife folks call them belt grinders.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Here is the link that I am going to copy
http://beaumontmetalworks.com/

That thing is slicker than owl s***.

 

[Pytbool]

I was looking around and found plans for one by someone who built his own just like the KMG in the link. Looks awesome. Post #142 here: http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=4436&st=140

The thread itself is on building a KMG clone with a few people posting up pics of what they built. Good read.

The file is a PDF and includes dimensional drawing and photos of what the guy built. Very nice. Might be a good link for the tech section....

-Tyler

 

[Waorani]

Just a quick review but sure looks like a serious set of plans! Thanks!

 

[rusty_tlc]

No grinder plans but almost everything else, including an On-board welder.
Vintage Projects

 

[Mace]

dam this is complete.. But I see no reason to bolt everything together...

http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf

 

[rusty_tlc]

dam this is complete.. But I see no reason to bolt everything together...

http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf

I wondered that to.
The author didn't have a welder? Or wanted to make it so somebody w/o one could build it?

 

[Mace]

Couple of questions.. What speed does a belt sander like to run at?? (trying to figure out which pulleys to get)

And

Beaumont metal works describes contoured edges on the idler wheels (flat surfaces I assume) and a "crowned" wheel for the tension/tracking wheel and the drive wheel. It appears that these wheels are convex as opposed to concave.. Since I'll probably just have a buddy turn these on his lathe I kinda want to make sure that I know what to tell him lol

 

[Degnol]

Mace, only the drive pulley makes any difference on belt speed(but you knew that). Unless you are wanting to do a lot of small radius inside corners like a knifemaker, use larger pulleys to put less stress on the belt. Mine has a motor that runs at 3750 rpm and the main drive pulley is about 6" in diameter. It is a 3 wheel setup with 2 idler pulleys about 1 1/2" in diameter. One is adjustable to keep the belt running in the center. All the pulleys have a slight crown to them.

Does that help?

Ed

 

[Mace]

Drive is gonna be a 4" pulley, tension/tracking is about 3" and the idlers will be 2" all made from Aluminum.

Ebay was nice enough to supply me with AL billets in the proper size. All of them for under $40 including bearings..

2 pillow block bearings for $20.. And I am gettin ready to start building

Whole thing shoudl be under $100 when I am done


Ed, that seems fast as hell. I was told that a speed about 2000 ft/min is perfect.
that will make my 1750 motor with a 4" pulley perfect..

Course, I'll probably use a three speed belt system for the sander in the end..

 

[wilks_80]

Degnol with those figures your running at 5887 ft/min. Is it too fast or is it a good working speed? This thread has gotten me thinking about creating a belt sander for myself. I have always wanted a belt sander of some sort.

 

[Degnol]

You know, maybe my motor is 1750. I'll go out to the garage and measure the pulley and check the motor speed.
Mine is just a cheapo Harbor Freight 1x25, but it is one of the most useful tools I have.
Sorry if I put out some bad info......will correct.

Ed

 

[Mace]

How dare you!!







As soon as the billet gets here I'll start takin pics

 

[wilks_80]

I have a guy here at work that needs a project so I through the roller idea at him. He is eager to try and make some for me! What is the norm for belt length? I am looking through McMastercarr to get some ideas on length and width. Beaumont uses a 2" x 72" belt.