2 questions regarding wide belt sanders. First, I’m finding myself getting into the cabinet business (wasn’t the plan, just happened). A wide belt sander would make flattening/smoothing panels/doors pretty slick, but on a modest budget (so far), I’m not sure i’ll be able to afford something worth buying. What would you suggest? Are the deflection problems I’ve read about with open end sanders a real issue? or is it just a matter of tuning them correctly?
Second question is…. Do shops ever rent time on their sanders? I’d assume most shops wouldn’t have a problem with this because they’re an expensive one trick pony. If this is common place, what should I expect to pay?
Thanks.
Bob
Replies
The cabinet shop that i work in recently (last year )replaced a grizzly drum sander(2 24" drums one with 80 grit and a follower of 120) with a 36" wide belt sander (A Halsty, used and probably about as old as i am...). IF you use the sander for what it was intended for (sanding-NOT abrasive planing) you will be really impressed. The open ended sanders work fine but you won't be able to mill your stock and glue up with more than a 32nd of an inch in thickness unless you start with a course grit and change it AND go slow. They will make a tapered panel in a heartbeat if you don't take it slow. Our drum sander was forever coming out of tune as the result of the volume of stock we sanded. And the paper changing was a serious pain.The "new" halsty has been a champ. It takes two people to move it into position but it is a rugged machine. It has the capability of sanding off the drum or on a lowered platen for veneers. If you have the money and the space, I would look around for a used one, otherwise you may be able to get away with one of the more feature packed drum sanders. IMO the open end sanders are just a waste of time for any shop that does lots of work.
We charge an hourly rate for work that has to be sanded in our machine. It sometimes is more efficient to have 2 ppl working it (feed, tail) but only if you have many pieces (a whole kitchen of doors and DFs) $40/hr in NE NYS.
Hi Spalted,I run a small shop (4 men including myself) My shop is small and space is a premium. I just purchaced a 36" time saver that is on wheels. They call it speed sander.The price was 7,000.Warren Wilkins was the rep I dealt with and he can be reached at 1-877-2785853Regards,Paul
I have the Grizzly 15" open ended widebelt and am delighted with its' performance. I can sand up to a 30" (+ a little) wide panel to a uniform thickness - no deflection - no taper. Cost was about $3K plus shipping. I think it is an excellent machine for the money.
Occasionally I need a wider sander and have found a local company that has a 54" widebelt. Had them sand a 42" x 60" tabletop for me last year. Took about 20 minutes and they charged $30. Well worth it.
Edited 7/27/2007 4:07 am ET by Jack
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=36753.1
I second the grizzly, attached is a link to my review of the 15" grizzly i got about a month ago. It really is a great machine for the price. I am doing cabinets for our new house right now and the sander does an incredible job and will probably cut 1/3 of the time from most of the woodworking that i do.
Aaron
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