DIY Belt Sander Recommendations

[leehljp]

I have been looking and thinking of making a DIY belt sander. A 42" x 2 would do most of what I would use it for. However, There are a few things that make me think I might occasionally need a 72" belt.

Have any of you made your own, or have purchased one? If 42", do you regret not getting a 72"? Or if you have a 72", do you think you could have used a 42" instead?

Your thoughts and comments? It might be a while before I do this, but I like to get my mind around a project before I start.

Thanks for your input.

OH, I forgot, this will be for more than just knife sharpening.

[LCHIEN]

well, 72" x 2" is a standard size, most often found in industrial sized machines. Obviously you stick to standard sizes to make it easy to keep it provisioned.

These are standard belt sizes:

I guess the question is when would you need such a large sander?
I have and use the 1x42 and the 4x36 belt sander I own as well as an oscillating spindle sander.

Is it planned to be a vertical running or a horizontal running or a adjustable one?

I think I saw a plan for a DIY belt sander somewhere recently....
Yeah there's certainly a lot of DIY plans for 2x72 beltsander/grinders on the internet using wood and steel frames.

Just thinking, my 4x36 has a platen (flat surface) of 12-13 inches, if you assume the half of 36 minus the circumference ~5") of a 1.5" roller
The 1" x 42" uses a three roller system so you can get on the inside of complex shapes. The removable platen is probably about 5-6" long.
So a 72" belt with 3-roller system will afford you probably 12" of sanding length.

[leehljp]

Thanks for the information. I started thinking of a 42" but got to thinking that the platen would be a little too short. I haven't made up my mind if I want a two roller for sharpening primarily or 3 to 4 roller for grinding as much as sharpening.

[capncarl]

I have a 8 year old 1x42” 1/3 hp 3000 feet/min Grizzly that I purchased new. Its platter is not long enough, and a 2” belt would be better. I used it for shaping Tiny Trees and Tiny Mushrooms. It could use more belt speed and capabilities to change roller position…a lot. It’s ok for knife work but lacks everything! Very basic starter machine. Dust collection is very difficult.

[LCHIEN]

Small thin belt sanders seem to fall into two camps those with 2 rollers and those with 3 rollers
The two rollers ones the belt returns just one roller diameter from the sanding surface so you can't sand into notches and recesses. On a 3-roller one there is ample room behind the sanding surface to saned into notches, crevasses, etc.


I have a Delta 1x42 3-roller looks a lot like this 1x30 but its a little taller. Many have a disc sander also but mine does not. I think you can pcik these up for around $100.

It has a tiltable base and a removable 4-inch or so platen that allows you to sand flush against a hard back or to allow the belt to sag with no support to round over things a bit. I use it for beveling dowels, and sanding into notches and stuff, and general sharpening small items and detail sanding.

I also have a Ryobi 4x26 belt and 6" disc sander combo. Pretty much similar in layout to this one with two rollers:
It can be adjusted to run vertically or horizontally. I use it a lot to put radiused corners on workpieces (disc) and rough flatten surfaces I don't plane. I think the fixed platen runs nearly 12" long. Its a workhorse. You can sand the length of a piece more than 12" long if you lay the platen and belt horizontal - the obstruction of the Bauer will be below the belt surface.

In general I don't find the capacity of my belt sanders to be an issue. I don't ever recall wishing for a longer belt.
Confessions:
I also have a Ryobi oscillating spindle sander I go to for radiusing corners sometimes. And I have a Delta 8" disc sander (only) that's NIB I have not opened for years.... I guess I don't need it.
Come to think of it I have a 3x23 handheld belt sander that I think I used once. That would work for longer pieces.

[leehljp]

HMMM - that 4 x 36 looks good and it is not a bad price. I may look for it when it is on sale.

[LCHIEN]

HMMM - that 4 x 36 looks good and it is not a bad price. I may look for it when it is on sale.

they have two 4x36/6" disc and also a 6x48 with 9" disc if you need larger:

[capncarl]

I’ve owned 1 each of the sanders discussed and I think all had the small round disc accessory, which I seldom ever used. My most used flat based 2 roller sander, a 6x48” Delta had such a bad vibration problem caused by the round disc sanding accessory that the only solution was to remove the Disc. O

[leehljp]

I have a 12" round disc sander that I got at HF several years ago and that is the only "round" sander that I have had until I bought the belt sander below with its 9" disc. I don't see me using that 9" one, but I use the 12" often with a course sanding disc on it. That course disc eats wood and rounds metal edges fast!

[leehljp]

I bought the $114.99 Bauer HF sander today. I just don't have the time to build what I want and I need one for sharpening my knives, flat grinding on metal and for wood. I ordered on Amazon some sanding belts, including some silicone carbide belts for the knives. They will be here Friday and I will give them a try.

[LCHIEN]

I bought the $114.99 Bauer HF sander today. I just don't have the time to build what I want and I need one for sharpening my knives, flat grinding on metal and for wood. I ordered on Amazon some sanding belts, including some silicone carbide belts for the knives. They will be here Friday and I will give them a try.

Don't forget, belts seem to have a limited shelf life, at least the adhesive holding the loop together. Use it or lose it!
No more buying 12-packs for me to last 5-10 years!

[dbhost]

LOL LCHIEN I found out the hard way on the belt thing. Now I just get ready to start a project and go to Harbor Freight and buy a pack of belts. I am kind of abusive to them anyway so by the time I am done the belts are shredded...

Last time I used a belt sander was when I rebuilt my shed ramp since the builders used chipboard that quickly fell apart, and needed to shave a bit off of the ramp plywood since it was thicker (actual 3/4) than the 5/8 chipboard and the door ran into it... That was 3 years ago...

I don't have a non oscillating stationary belt sander, but if I were to get one, I would probably go for the Central Machinery. I know HFs cheaper line, but all I have seen they seem to be tanks. Rough, nasty but durable...