Replies

1. 
   Telemike | Jun 16, 2003 08:58am | #1

   Many years ago I bought several tools used including a craftsman 6 x 48 in belt/disk.  It was not very useful because it stalled too easily.  Later, I used its 1/2 hp motor elsewhere and put on a 3/4 hp motor and put a smaller drive pulley on the motor to reduce the speed to about 5/8 ths of what it originally was.  I no longer use the disk sander but the belt is a mainstay now that it has more power and moves more slowly.

2. 
   ToolDoc | Jun 16, 2003 08:18pm | #2

   Mark: I take it your looking at the Grizzly model # G1183 & G1276 sanders, one runs at 5.000 fpm the G1183 the other at 2.500 fpm the G1276.. for home shop use the slower one at 2500 fpm would be ok..

                                  ToolDoc

3. 
   BG | Jun 16, 2003 08:38pm | #3

   Mark,

   I was told to buy a 1725 rpm grinder for sharpening my chisels and plane blades...that the higher speeds were to fast to hold a chisel against...do you think that may be why the slower speed...sharpening chisles on sandpaper?

1. 
   MHargrove | Jun 17, 2003 07:35am | #4

   I dunno, maybe.  That's why I asked. 

   Can anybody else weigh in on this?  What are the advantages/disadvantages of having a belt/disc sander that runs at 3450 rpm vs 1725 rpm?  Does the slower version have more torque (and thus less likely to stall under load)?  Does the faster version sand remove stock more quickly (or more smoothly), but require a gentler touch?

   Inquiring minds want to know.

   -M.

1. 
   nicobie | Jun 17, 2003 08:46pm | #5

   If it was me, I'd buy the slower one.

   I'll bet the 3450 rpm model would burn the wood. It would work better on metal and that's probably why Grizzly offers a choice.The proof is in the puddin'

2. 
   TKanzler | Jun 17, 2003 10:54pm | #6

   If they are both the same motor hp, then the one operating at 1725 rpm will have twice the motor torque than the 3450 rpm version.  That would translate to twice the tractive effort, drawbar pull, lateral grit force (however you want to describe it) as the high-speed one.  In other words, you could lean into the work harder.  The higher cost is probably because 1800 rpm motors generally cost a little more than 3600 rpm motors of the same power, all other things being equal.  I'm not familiar with the machine, but I assume it's direct-drive.

   As far as what's better for you, I can't answer that.  I like a slower belt and disk speed myself (I use a lathe for the disk).Be seeing you...

1. 
   MHargrove | Jun 18, 2003 03:04am | #7

   Just for everybody's amusement, I posed the question to Grizzly technical support ("why would a customer choose one sander over the other"?).  Here's the reply:

   Thank you for your email dated June 17, 2003.

    The only difference in those two machines is the RPMs. The reason to purchase one over the other is for the speed. It is customer preference and depending on the job at hand that customer is doing or wants to do.

    Please let me know if I can be of any other assistance. You are a valued customer and look forward to serving your woodworking and metalworking needs in the future.

   I feel *much* more informed now.  :-)

   -M.

3. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 18, 2003 03:35am | #8

   BINGO, Mark Although there are two speed motors, the basic available torque is roughly equal.

   The 1750 R P M  is great with wood and you wouldn't want to force the wood anyway.( Burn marks result.)

    Also since the disc travels clockwise, you want to approach the wheel's right side where the wheel is moving downward for best results.

   Since the outer edge of the wheel (Perifery) is moving at a faster speed than the center,a light touch there results in smoother work,while the center is slower and more agressive  for removing material faster. Stein. 

   Don't ruin your chisels on any thing going that fast. If you want to flatten metal plane soles, use silicon carbide disks (Finegrit)