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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: flint kemper on July 31, 2024, 09:05:03 PM

Title: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: flint kemper on July 31, 2024, 09:05:03 PM
I have gone through the search engine here and also scour Facebook marketplace daily but what are some good brands for a 6x48 belt sander that can be adjusted flat or different degrees up to horizontal. This will not be for full time bow building. Would also like to have a small table attachment as well.

Thanks for replies.
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Pat B on July 31, 2024, 10:59:29 PM
I've had a Grizzly 6x48 for years and it had done everything I've asked of it.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Kirkll on August 01, 2024, 09:40:21 AM
My recommendation would be to skip the 6x48 and go up to the 6x80. That longer section is wonderful for getting a nice straight edge on a limb before running through the drum sander, and it’s powerful enough to set up a pattern sander table on the motor end. Then get some 36 grit ,and  50 grit belts.   Kirk
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: dbeaver on September 07, 2024, 11:58:29 AM
Ill second that Kirk.   I have a second hand grizzly 6x80 and although it has a larger footprint as a standalone machine any cabinet or table I've placed smaller sanders on has taken up the same space.  I do more than bowmaking with it and having the large platten to work with gives me a ton of versaility on long pieces.
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Bryan Adolphe on September 07, 2024, 01:05:47 PM
I do agree I started with a 6 x 48 kept my ears open for a bigger one and bought this for $250 and then built a pattern sander on the end of it … It’s worked out very well. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Stagmitis on September 07, 2024, 03:04:15 PM
Flint has size restrictions in his workspace and a larger sander won’t fit- ħ
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Bryan Adolphe on September 07, 2024, 04:11:57 PM
Flint has size restrictions in his workspace and a larger sander won’t fit- ħ
Oh yes that can surely be a factor 👍
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Kirkll on September 08, 2024, 10:20:13 AM
https://www.amazon.com/6X48-Belt-Sander/s?k=6X48+Belt+Sander
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Stagmitis on September 09, 2024, 05:25:35 PM
I was looking at the buck tool Kirk- I have a 6x80 grizzly but it’s the model that doesn’t rotate to 90 deg. I need that configuration for grinding natural bamboo backs- maybe I’ll find a used 6x80 grizzly that rotates:)
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: dbeaver on September 09, 2024, 08:49:08 PM
Stag my grizzly rotates its quite helpful for a range of tasks
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Stagmitis on September 10, 2024, 09:27:23 AM
Yup! Grizz has two models- mine no rotate :(

Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Kirkll on September 10, 2024, 03:12:49 PM
Why do you need to rotate an edge sander 90? i don't get it....
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Stagmitis on September 10, 2024, 04:14:02 PM
It lays flat Kirk so you can work the backing pushing from the top down instead of to the side like my sander- lots more control to hit the station changes as you taper the back. Clear as mud lol
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: dbeaver on September 11, 2024, 08:39:53 AM
looking top down with the veritical orientation at a piece of bamboo youll easily get wonky on side to side thickness.  checking on a horizontal plane being able to look at each side of the backing and like stagmitis said pressure from above you have gravity working with you.
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: Stagmitis on September 11, 2024, 02:16:42 PM
Spot on Dylan- unless someone has tried to accurately dimension a natural back it’s not easy to understand the difference in sander position :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: 6x48 belt sander recommendations.
Post by: VTer on September 14, 2024, 05:39:04 PM
Stag my grizzly rotates its quite helpful for a range of tasks

dbeaver, exactly what model Griz do you have?