Replies

1. 
   RickL | Dec 16, 2005 05:10pm | #1

   I assume you want to build it for the fun of building one because you most likely can't build it cheaper than buying a ready made one. Do you have metal working experience or metal shop access????   An other option is a stroke sander. Younger folks don't even know about this type of machine or it's many virtues. I know of many cabinet shops that use these machines instead of widebelts. In fact every large shop I worked in had a stroke sander and a widebelt.  Stroke sanders are even easier to make and used ones can often be had for scrap metal prices. I even put a stroke sander in a custom metal fabrication shop.

   Look for the Fine Woodworking reprint compilations on Machinery that has old articles on building and tuning machines. There was a good article on building a stroke sander in an early FWW issue.  Grizzly and many others such as Minimax sell stroke sanders but I'm betting most folks don't give them a second glance as they don't have a clue how to use them or where they excel over a widebelt/drum sander.

1. 
   Daleinok | Dec 17, 2005 01:49am | #3

   RickL

   You are absolutely correct I have never heard of a Stroke Sander.  Since your reply I have looked up this sander, hearing good things about but, what are the advantages over a drum / thickness sander?  I am not building precise things but would like to have my panels sanded or planed wider than my 12 1/2" planer.

   Please tell me how it works and how to build or where to find any instruction.  I do have access to a sheet metal shop, but if at all possible would rather build it from wood.   And yes I would rather build it than buy, as I learn more every time I build as opposed to just buying, (anyone can buy.)

   Thanks for the suggestion about the stroke sander I will be trying to find out as mush about it as I can.

   Doc.

1. 
   RickL | Dec 17, 2005 02:56am | #4

   You can do wider panels on than you could fit through a drum sander, easy to change grits quickly, with flexible belts you can sand radiused pieces and they are pretty cheap used. Paid $700 for the one pictured. The key is to glue your panels up so you only need to sand the mill marks off. Careful glue ups will yield panels that only need to be sanded to finish, not trying to straighten out boards that are 1/8" out of plane. Also very good for veneer work and marquetry work. PLus you can sand raised panels and rotate the panels to do the different grain directions. An early FWW had plans on how to build a small one. Possibly in the reprint machine compilation.
   Rekoff, Michael G., Jr. of stroke sander 003 46-51
   http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/fw_toc_003.aspAlso Issue # 29 has an article by Marlowe on building a stroke sander almost completely out of wood including the drums with some steel for the shafts and a few pieces of angle iron. True, they do take up more space but for the money they are terrific machines and a heck of a lot simpler and cerainly far cheaper than drum sanders or widebelts.

   Edited 12/17/2005 4:57 pm ET by RickL

   
2. 
   RickL | Dec 18, 2005 01:15am | #7

   http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/gallery.pl?read=384680
   Here's another home made stroke sander. See also minmax, grizzly, progress machinery, woodworkers supply, exfactory and others for commercial units. Boice Crane made a small shop version you can find a pic at http://www.owwm.com.

2. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 16, 2005 07:44pm | #2

   Here's one I made with no plans.  Use ds1.jpg thru ds5.jpg.  No Power feed.

   http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mike_in_katy/ds1.jpg

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

3. 
   dchyatt | Dec 17, 2005 03:18am | #5

   You should have a look at the "V" drum sander plans and parts available at http://www.stockroomsupply.com I saw it in operation at a recent woodworking show and think it could be quite useful.

4. 
   QCInspector | Dec 17, 2005 01:52pm | #6

   To further the comments by RickL. There is a company in Quebec that sells a kit to make a stroke sander. Comes with all the parts except the motor and the wood. Viel Tools Inc. ph. 418-898-2601, fax 1-800-463-1380 don't know if the toll free works from the US 1-800-463-1380. I don't think they have a web site. Price from the 2003-2004 catalogue was $499.00 Canadian. The head assembly also tilts to use as an edge sander. The table under the belt is about 24" x 52", belt is 6" x 158". I don't have one myself due to lack of space in my basement shop, and because I have an older 22-44 Performax drum sander. I've use a stroke sander that was in my father's business until he retired. With what I know now of the two, I would take the stroke over the drum sander any day.