To mount a portable belt sander for edge-sanding, start by placing the sander on a piece of 3/4-in. plywood so that the platen is square to the plywood. Attach small blocks to keep the sander in position, and press small amounts of freshly mixed auto-body putty under and around the sander to form a customized cradle. Be careful not to build up the putty in such a way that would prevent the sander from being removed from the cradle. Apply the putty in thin layers, and allow each layer to set before applying the next. Be sure to coat the sander with oil, or enclose it in a plastic bag to prevent the putty from bonding to the tool.

After the cradle is complete, trim the base and add a worktable. I made one by stacking several scraps of wood in front of the belt, as shown in the sketch. The layers allow me to use the full width of the belt and can be shaped around the front of the belt to provide some curve sanding. Each of the layers of wood has two dowels in the bottom that engage a matching set of holes in the layer below it.

Omar V. Showalter, Harrisonburg, Va.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, February 1998 No. 128

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