belt sanders atmo -

[anthonymaietta]

What are y'all using as a grit for everyday post-miter deburring?

[e-RICHIE]

What are y'all using as a grit for everyday post-miter deburring?

60 grit belts and 80 grit a.o. cloth atmo.

[pruckelshaus]

I'm looking at this one

H8192 1" X 8" Belt/Disc Sander

I feel like such a n00b looking at such a low-end piece, but it'll do what I need it to do, and I am a n00b.

Pete

[Alliance Bicycles]

I'm in the process of getting a belt sander for my shop too. When I worked at Strong, Carl had two of the Delta's that Dave provided a link for (Model SA180). One had a medium grit 3M belt, and one had a 80 grit sanding belt. Carl got his at the local ACE for $110 a piece. I wish I wouldn't have waited to buy mine, because Delta discontinued the tool.

I'm almost 100% positive that the Grizzly linked above is a green painted Delta unit. It's 150 bucks plus shipping now (~$200), which chaps me.

The Wilton sanders have been rebranded JET. Enco and MSC sell them. They look nice, I think that's what I'm going with. I like the three wheel models over the 2 wheel like the Kalamazoo.

Another thing to watch for on the cheaper models is odd belt lengths. Some use belts that are hard to find in the 3M flavor.

What did you end up getting e-richie?

[e-RICHIE]

What did you end up getting e-richie?

i got this and it's just okay atmo -
Wilton 4002 Belt Sander - Disc Sander

[anthonymaietta]

I'm in the process of getting a belt sander for my shop too. When I worked at Strong, Carl had two of the Delta's that Dave provided a link for (Model SA180). One had a medium grit 3M belt, and one had a 80 grit sanding belt. Carl got his at the local ACE for $110 a piece. I wish I wouldn't have waited to buy mine, because Delta discontinued the tool.

I'm almost 100% positive that the Grizzle linked above is a green painted Delta unit. It's 150 bucks plus shipping now (~$200), which chaps me.

The Wilton sanders have been rebranded JET. Enco and MSC sell them. They look nice, I think that's what I'm going with. I like the three wheel models over the 2 wheel like the Kalamazoo.

Another thing to watch for on the cheaper models is odd belt lengths. Some use belts that are hard to find in the 3M flavor.

What did you end up getting e-richie?

I have ever used a 3 wheel machine. I was born and raised as a framebuilder on Toby's 2 wheel Kalamazoo style. When I first setup my shop I bought a Ryobi from Home Depot. Its a POS and I'm now fulfilling the back end of "buy cheap buy twice". To me the more important feature is to have a section of the belt without a hard support. Why is 3 > 2 here?

[Jonathan]

what is the preference with the 3 wheel vs 2 wheel? I have an inherited(literally) Delta that works well enough but I don't really know the difference.

[Alliance Bicycles]

I don't think that the 3 is better than the 2, I'm just getting sentimental over the Delta unit :).

One thing I do know about the Delta 3 wheeler is that it's fairly compact (height wise) has a long belt (so they last longer) and you don't have to bolt them down to the bench.

The Delta/Grizzly has an unsupported section, which I agree is key for 3M'ing tubes. I don't know about the other three wheel units.

I've been trying to narrow down the options for 2 weeks. I just have to pick something and get it over with. My familiarity is what draws me to the 3 wheel over the 2. Hell, the Kalamazoo has some votes maybe I will go that route?

Hey Richie, why the half-way love on the Wilton? Should I scratch it off my list?

[e-RICHIE]

Hey Richie, why the half-way love on the Wilton? Should I scratch it off my list?

i had an older grainger unit w 3 pulleys (exposed) and the belt are that opposed you as you faced it was a usable area, as was the rear pulley. it may not be for the faint (feint ?) of heart, but i showed that fucker who's boss on a daily basis. the smaller wheel on the far side was good for radius-ing lugs and shit atmo. sadly, when we moved, i chucked it only because the motor was dying. i haven't found the same setup since i got back to work and needed retooling. all units now have these stupid safety hoods and side sanders that i never use at-fickung-all atmo.

but, hey - thanks for asking.

[Archibald]

i had an older grainger unit w 3 pulleys (exposed) and the belt are that opposed you as you faced it was a usable area, as was the rear pulley. it may not be for the faint (feint ?) of heart, but i showed that fucker who's boss on a daily basis. the smaller wheel on the far side was good for radius-ing lugs and shit atmo. sadly, when we moved, i chucked it only because the motor was dying. i haven't found the same setup since i got back to work and needed retooling. all units now have these stupid safety hoods and side sanders that i never use at-fickung-all atmo.

but, hey - thanks for asking.

Don't buy one with a disc sander. Kalamazoo is made right here in the USA too & reasonably priced. The KMG's that DaveB posted are pretty trick. I have a big Wilton square like this that I love Wilton Square Wheel Belt Grinder, Model# 4103 | Belt Grinders | Northern Tool + Equipment.
(note that I paid way less than 1/2 that on sale from MSC) It's totally adjustable by rotating the platen and other wheel size are available.

I also have a combo belt sander/grinder that is much like this one (this one is a Kalamazoo & also made in the USA) and you can rotate the belt around to stand vertical or horizontal (or any place in between). Mine is more of a homemade kluge using a buffer motor to power the belt sander and I keep either a 3M or wire wheel on the other side. Very handy.
Amazon.com: Made in USA 2SK7 1/2hp Grinder W/Sander Kalamazoo Combination: Home Improvement: Reviews, Prices & more

[e-RICHIE]

i'll find some old pics of my departed grainger and show you what i miss atmo.

Don't buy one with a disc sander. <cut>

[anthonymaietta]

I just picked this Kalamazoo up from Enco. Its nice to have one with a 2" belt so both ears can be deburred at the same time.

[Alliance Bicycles]

I just picked this Kalamazoo up from Enco. Its nice to have one with a 2" belt so both ears can be deburred at the same time.

Hey that's what I'm getting too. I liked the two inch width as well.

Enco is selling the kalamazoo stuff for less than MSC. They also have free shipping this month, use code FSCNOV in the checkout.

[Archibald]

Hey that's what I'm getting too. I liked the two inch width as well.

Enco is selling the kalamazoo stuff for less than MSC. They also have free shipping this month, use code FSCNOV in the checkout.

MSC always ships everything for free to me.

Don't hate me just because I'm pretty.

[pruckelshaus]

Any comments on this one for a low volume hobbyist builder and woodworker before I pull the trigger on it?

[Archibald]

Any comments on this one for a low volume hobbyist builder and woodworker before I pull the trigger on it?

Yeah, I have a comment: why do you hate America?

[pruckelshaus]

Yeah, I have a comment: why do you hate America?

Well, I don't have six bills, or even three bills, for a bench sander, and this one looks simple, straightforward, and no BS. And, for the record, I'm a vet and I put my ass on the line for my country (and yours) for nine years of my life; to infer that I hate my country is ridiculous. I drive a Japanese car (made in Japan, no less) powered by middle eastern oil while wearing pants made in Indonesia, a sweater made in Viet Nam, underwear made in India, and shoes made who knows where. The "buy American and only American" boat sailed long ago.

:)

Pete

PS I realize your question was, in all likelihood, tongue in cheek, but still...

[anthonymaietta]

Just got an email from MSC.

Use code MSC30WA for 30% off orders $199 and greater today and tomorrow.

[edelbikes]

Did anybody tried to put a 3M scotch-brite disc (SC-DH ref.) on a small belt/disc sander ? Could be useful to clean-up the end of the tubes, but I don't know if it would turn fast enough...

[pruckelshaus]

Did anybody tried to put a 3M scotch-brite disc (SC-DH ref.) on a small belt/disc sander ? Could be useful to clean-up the end of the tubes, but I don't know if it would turn fast enough...

I hacked a 3m disk onto my cordless angle grinder (Ryobi, cheap), and it works well enough.