Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 21, 2003 07:24pm | #1

   I have an old Craftsman 6"/9" sander that I got at an auction, but have learned some things since I got it.  Next one will be as vibration free as possible, as easy to adjust as possible, and have an accurate set (90*) of table to disk/belt.  Also, if possible, I'd get one that has a separate table for both the disk and the belt, so the table wouldn't have to be relocated.

   Dust collection is pretty important with these, as they produce a ton of it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   senior85222 | Apr 22, 2003 04:56am | #10

   I certainly agree about the dust issues with sanders which stopped me cold when I saw the $150 H.F. model did not have one.  I suspect it must have vibration issues as well.

2. 
   jackiechan | Apr 23, 2003 05:15am | #14

   Forest Girl,

   If your combo' sander's dust collection is less than stellar - enclosed is a dust collecting manifold that I designed for a set up such as yours.  It is a shroud that fits over the top, bottom, and sides of the belt.  There is an outlet at the top and the bottom of the unit, where two dust collection hoses are attached.  The hoses are joined together with a Y-fitting, with a single hose leading to your shop vacuum or 4" dust collector (preferred).

   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 23, 2003 08:37am | #18

   Thanks, Dan, that's cool!  I just got the sander late in the summer, and thus far, when I've needed DC, I've bungie-corded a big (BIG) floor sweeper attachment from my 16-gal indoor/outdoor vac, right at the downstream end of the belt.  Works OK, but it's really a hassle.  Will have to try your design!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   DennisS | Apr 24, 2003 10:56am | #20

   I second your motion regarding the necessity of dust collection with a disk/belt sander! I don't use mine much for the very reason that I don't (yet) have much of a dust/chip control system in my garage shop. When I do much sanding with my 6x12 stationary sander, it's like being in a steam room only the mist hanging in the air ain't water vapor! (grin).

   Needless to say, we wear a dust mask during those times.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 24, 2003 06:23pm | #22

   The last couple of days, I've been cleaning up and rearranging tools, benches and "stuff" out there.  Cleared out a cubbyhole right next to the front door for the combo sander so it can be pushed outside quickly for working (when it's not raining of course, fat chance!).

   What're you doin' up so late!?  You're worse than me.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   DennisS | Apr 25, 2003 02:27am | #24

   > ....What're you doin' up so late!?

   I took a nap! (grin)

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 25, 2003 05:24pm | #25

   Jamie

      Great idea about getting heavy dust makers close to the door when possible. Put em' on casters when possible and that makes it even easier. Sounds like a page from my own play-book. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   RoyinMD | Apr 27, 2003 05:19am | #26

   Nice touch with the flag sticker Sarge, I have a Univ. of MD bumper sticker on mine. I see your sticking with your plan, if it don't move PAINT IT! :o)

   Is the tool stable enough on casters? I've been thinking about doing mine. I have retractable(s) on the TS, locking casters on the planer/jointer combo, and standard full swivel casters  on the DC and (2) steel boxes.

   Casters are great for small shop survival.

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 27, 2003 04:48pm | #27

   Roy

      I just swithched the base it sits on so I have something to paint today. ha..ha.. Yeah, the casters are fine. Two of them are lockers. The sander wieghts about 60 lbs. and the stand another 25 or 30#'s. That kind of weight will pretty much im-mobilize 2 1/2" casters if spaced far enough apart. I move it near the door when in use and back it up to the TS extention table. Works great.

      I also have the bigger stationarys on HTC mobile bases in case I have to shuffle. At one time they all fit in nicely and no moving required. Then came the jointer which I did by hand. Along comes a mortiser, which I did by hand. The Hitachi SCMS was a close out at $325 I couldn't resist. Had to have the Delta 2 speed planer so the jointer wasn't lonely.

      You get the picture. One thing leads to another and another, etc. etc.. <G> The good news is I like to build heavy duty bases so I have somthing to paint. he...

   Have a good day...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   Malicair | Apr 27, 2003 05:51pm | #28

   Well I got the new Jet belt/disk sander setup. I got the one with the pedestal.

   Setup was a breeze... couple small adjustments to be made but not all that bad.

   Only thing I found was the stud/bolt that is for the lock adjustment on the table for the 4"x48" belt was needed to be 1/8" longer to get proper thread depth into the handles nut. Easy fix though... I just took out the platen and took one of the extra bolts through from the inside and cut off the excess. Now it's plenty long enough without having to worry about pulling the threads right off of the stud.

   For now I've left it setup for 115v but will be changing it to 220v in the next few weeks. I did not find it lacking in power at the 115v configuration.

   Regards

   Mal

2. 
   bsutton12 | Apr 21, 2003 08:24pm | #2

   I have the Delta.  I don't use it a lot, but it seems to work pretty well.  I have hooked up dust collection, so I don't know how well that works.  Seem to have mess with the tracking constantly.  Can't seem to get it track consistently; it drifts one way, I make an adjustment and then it drifts the other way.  It's not too bad, I just have to keep an eye on it. 

3. 
   Jimma | Apr 21, 2003 08:43pm | #3

   The Delta 6-inch belt, 12-inch disc sanding station is what I bought to replace an old Craftsman that was all but unusable due to its lack of precision and unfriendly adjustments. I'm very glad I made the switch as the Delta (and I'm not a fan of Delta) has been around a long time and the problems have been designed out of it. You might want to compare its footprint with the smaller one; it may not be that different if you don't use the stand. But it's a production machine, not a hobby-type. I'm very satisfied with it even though I had to pop for little more money than I had hoped for. The two-speed Grizzly was my second choice, but I wouldn't buy one without seeing it and talking to a user.

4. 
   BenA | Apr 22, 2003 12:38am | #4

   senior85222:

   Did you look at the jet or powermaitic sanders ? Yhey have a good selection of disc,and belt combinations sanders. Their web site is http://www.jettools.com

   Good luck

   http://jettools.com/JETWood/SandersIndex.html

1. 
   senior85222 | Apr 22, 2003 05:25am | #12

   It appears that the sanders offered by Jet and Powermatic are floor models.  With my tiny 8x10 shop I really have to live with a bench model.  The Delta 31-695 is technically a floor model, but just may fit one corner of my bench.  My local Tool Pedler did not have one on display when I last visited, but may have one out now.  My main use is for preparing wood for scroll work.  Thanks for the suggestion.

   Dick

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 22, 2003 08:05am | #13

   In Jet's 2001 catalog, they show a JSG-1 model combo sander.  It's a benchtop model with an 8" disc, but the belt is only 1" wide (42" long).  Separate tables for the belt and disc, looks pretty solid in the picture.  Would this work, or is the belt too narrow?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   senior85222 | Apr 23, 2003 06:20am | #15

   Yes, I have seen that model.  I already have a delta sander/grinder that has a loop belt that small and I rarely use it.  I have used Delta's model with the 3" belt and found it useful, but longed for the wider 6" belt.  I went to Tool Pedler today and saw Delta's 31-695 sander which looks like the most practical size for my work bench even though its pitched as a floor model.  They told me the stand sold seperately for $75, but would not give me any price reduction if I declined the stand when I bought the sander.  Oh well, I have another use for the stand.  Now if they would only put it on sale!!

   Dick

   Edited 4/22/2003 11:21:35 PM ET by senior85222

2. 
   ToolDoc | Apr 23, 2003 07:18am | #16

   Jamie: I have that Jet 1x42 sander you mentioned I use it for sharpening it a very HD unit I bought it to replace a old worn Craftsman unit that I hadfor years.anyone looking for a very HD 1x42 sander/grinder it cant be beat..

                                          ToolDoc

5. 
   SIMON | Apr 22, 2003 01:44am | #5

   I'd look closely at the design of whatever you get. I've got the Grizzly 1014Z, and a long list of design problems. My favorite is the round bar supporting the table for the disk, which isn't especially stable.

   Price may not be your best guide here. I still have the 1014Z, but hopefully not forever.

1. 
   Malicair | Apr 22, 2003 01:47am | #6

   What great timing... I almost went and bought the Grizzly this week.

   Now I'm looking at the powermatic 31A. Looks like a great machine!

   Does anyone have one of the powermatic's? and what do you think of it?

   Regards

   Mal

1. 
   DennisS | Apr 24, 2003 11:01am | #21

   Mal -

   I looked at the PM machine at our recent WW show here in Seattle. Rockler had a display of Fisch machinery, which included a 6"belt x 12" disk sationary sander with 1hp motor, enclosed base and oscillating belt for somewhat less money than the PM. I bought it and I'm pretty pleased with it. Don't have dust collection hooked up to it yet so I only use it when I can have the garage/shop door open and a good strong fan to pull the dust out.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   Vibart2 | Apr 22, 2003 02:24am | #7

   So how old is you 1014Z sander???

1. 
   SIMON | Apr 22, 2003 02:36am | #8

   The 1014Z will reach two years next month, I think. It's made me appreciate hand-sanding, planing, scraping, etc. It does work when I need it, except for the occasional sudden tilt of the disc sander table, and the slow movement of the stop for the belt sander.

   Going slowly, checking everything carefully, it's fine - just not much fun. Their better sanders have smarter design, and so do lots of others.

1. 
   Vibart2 | Apr 22, 2003 04:20am | #9

   Thanks for the reply.

   I just wondered because sometimes tool venders make improvements from year to year that make the tool work better.

   I don't know if this is the case with the G1014Z or not.

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 22, 2003 05:15am | #11

   The Grizzly was re-designed for the 2002 catalog, but it doesn't look like they changed that table support.  Guess you didn't get your letter in in time, eh???forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

6. 
   Telemike | Apr 23, 2003 08:27am | #17

   I have a pre-1975 sears belt/disk that is one of the key tools in my workshop.  Not so much for fine furniture, but for everyday garage stuff and lots of wood sanding.  I do most of my grinding (lawnmower blades, homemade tools, jig wood sanding, and occasionally nicked plane irons and chisels) and some surface sanding on it.

   As made (I bought it used), it had a disk that interfered with long workpieces on the belt table.  I took the disk off and don't use it at all.  It came with a 1/3HP motor that I replaced with a 3/4 horse motor.  I changed pulleys to reduce the belt speed by 1/2 and increase the force needed to stall the belt by 2 x.  Now, it sands surfaces of small boards very well and doesn't stall so easily.

   It has a simple dust collection plastic piece for the bottom roller that works surprisingly well.  I think this is a vital workshop tool and you'll use it for things you haven't concieved yet.

1. 
   senior85222 | Apr 24, 2003 04:16am | #19

   Thanks for the run down on your sanding experiences.  I have a smaller one [3" belt, 6" disk] that I have used for a couple of years mostly sanding wood for scroll projects.  I am now getting into resawing/planning/sanding regular wood for the same use and need a sander for larger pieces that will still fit on the bench in my 8' x 10' shop.

   Dick

1. 
   Malicair | Apr 25, 2003 01:36am | #23

   Well I went looking for the Model 31 Powermatic sander and was told that it was discontinued since Jet and Powermatic are now under the same roof....

   So I ended up picking up the Jet 6"x48" belt/12" disc sander.

   I'll be setting it up in the next couple of days and I'll let you know how it turns out.

   Regards

   Mal