Idea for pattern sander

[Mad Max]

I have a disk sander 12"
I need a belt sander, and i want a pattern sander.
I watched some youtubes on Ridged oscillating sander several months ago. I thought you could turn the oscillating part off.    
So I went to HD ready to buy, and found out that it is oscillating all the time.   :(  
My father has a Machine shop so I THOUGHT I could modify it to do both.


ON to plan B:  so I went on e bay looking for a belt sander and found a  "Shopsmith Belt Sander" this sander has no motor, it fits on a all in one type tool that has a drive motor.
Things that make ME go hmmmmm   :rolleyes:  
I can buy the Ridged belt sander assembly $82.00 (replacement parts)
 


 and I have a drill press. I would have to make a shaft with a bearing for the pattern part and mount the unit on plywood/aluminum plate what ever. set it on the drill press and chuck the shaft in.   :cool:  
I would have a belt sander/Pattern sander.  

[Jon in North Idaho]

If I had access to a machine shop - I'd go about it differently...  I'd use that idea, but with a longer belt so it would stay cooler and not gum up as fast.

Or, I'd just use a sanding drum.  Actually, I woke up this morning thinking about this same thing!  I have a 3"x3" drum that I was thinking I should make a pattern-bearing for.

I also have the Ridgid sander.  So, I can rough-shape with that, then take it to the pattern-drum to finish it up.   Hmmm.....  Now I just need to figure out the bearing - shouldn't be too hard, as I have the stuff to do it.  Yeah right!  I know I can, it will be trial and error, though!

One other consideration - drill press bearings are not meant for lateral pressure, just vertical.  If you push sideways too much, you can ruin the drill press pretty quick.  Ideally, the center "bolt" would be anchored at the bottom, also.  Does that make sense?

[Mad Max]

My drill press is multi-speed, I think slower speeds on some woods would help.
A robo sander is not supported on the bottom but I think I will on mine.
I need a belt sander for sanding profiles on glass limbs, If I make it take a longer belt you might as well start over,   that assembly is ready to go.

[Mad Max]

Sorry forgot this.     The whole assembly would be mounted

[kennym]

You have probably seen this, like you say the bottom isn't supported tho....

 http://woodworker.com/1d-x-2h-robosander-with-guide-mssu-958-406.asp?search=robo  sander&searchmode=2

[Pheonixarcher]

Here is something along these same lines that I have been contemplating on trying.
 http://www.luthiersfriend.com/index.html
Not sure if I posted the link correctly, but you can copy and paste it to your browser if it didn't work.
I've been thinking about asking the bench their opinions on it, and this seems like a fitting place.

[Mad Max]

I have one of these, it takes a little time to get the hang of it with out stopping (getting a grove cut in it) but it does a very good job.I took a motor off a Industrial fan I had for years and mounted them on plywood, when I run my lams threw it, I feed it from left to right , keep it moving.
If you are doing a lot of lam you need something else. I don't like the one you posted because it is sideways.    :p