Finally Got the Sander I Want

[ChristopherO]

Thought I would share this latest fabrication.
Having used and broken a couple of handmedown elcheapo craftsman table top sanders the last couple of years has had me yearning for a real shop sander for bow making and other woodworking projects.  
Yes, I've coveted your all's Ridgid osculating belt/spindle sanders, as well.  But, I concluded that ultimately I wanted a full size sanding unit, like my friend, Virg, who is a mastercraftsman has.  
But, being the cheapskate, due to the fierce downturn in my profession, I could not justify the expense of an edge sander of that size.  The former topic on this forum of homemade tools inspired me to put together a spindle sander and I shared that contraption then.  Yet, as it was not enough I determined to have a larger sander in my fledgling shop before the summer is out.
Thanks to many of you who displayed your hard work, Plansnow.com and some advice from another gentleman who built one of these before I now have a full size 6"x89" edge belt sander.

 

 

This was not an overnight build but took me quite a few hours of gathering materials, buying supplies, cutting, routering and painting before the process of assembling, yet, it was time well spent (because I have the time).
Even though I had the MDF, the hardwood and the motor in stock the other parts totalled around $215.00.  Factor in the labor and it is probably not too much difference in purchasing one this size from a retailer.  But, I enjoyed the build and am pleased with how smoothly it runs.

The hardest part of this weekend has been cleaning the shop to make room for it!

[Apex Predator]

Wow!  I'm thinking you could build just about anything after seeing that masterpiece!

[2treks]

where in ohio? I got about 4 jobs for you,LOL
That looks good,REAL good.
Chuck

[Osagetree]

You must be an enginier! WOW!

[jess stuart]

That is really nice.  I tried to make a lam grinder from a 6 x 48 sander.  Didn't work out all that well, I am not near the craftsman that you are.  You should be very proud of that know I sure would be.

[George Tsoukalas]

Wow! Well done. Jawge

[Whip]

Beautiful job!

[BenBow]

Sweet! That sander is on my list of tools to build using the plans from plansnow. Any info and suggestions would be great.
Thanks for posting

[Gundog68]

Great Job!!
How do you solve the belt adjusting part ?

Thanks,

Gundog

[bjansen]

Excellent job!

[ChristopherO]

Thanks for all the thumbs up, gentleman.  I am pleased in the way it came out.

1. I am not an engineer (LOL) but used to design and build homes years ago.  Now I'm a realtor that still enjoys his tools and small woodworking projects.
2. The main motivational force behind this was my last bow build, my first glass lam bow, proved that it was important to have a good sander if I want to build more of those, which I do.
3. Benbow: The plansnow.com instructions are pretty good but you do need to think ahead while cutting and assembling.  One thing for sure, be positive that the motor you are using turns counterclock wise so the dust is spun towards the dust collector.  And the motor should be no less than 3/4 horse.  The fellow who advised me upgraded his to a 1 horse after a few months, though my 3/4 seems to handle it well.
One other thing, routing the edges to a 1/4" roundover really helps in asthetics and keeping the kneecaps from getting gouged.
4. Gundog68:  The belt tensioner and belt adjustment is built into this unit, very similar to a factory built model.  If you look at the black knob on the left side under the end table, that adjusts the tracking.  There should be a knob on the top of the same side, but Rockler ran out of them the day I stopped in, which adjusts the belt tension, so I have a nut holding that at the moment.  They've really put some thought in to this machine.  I used paste wax on the hardwood pieces that track and adjust to help them move smoothly.

This project had the effect of showing me that I really needed a table router instead of just a hand router.  I was going to build one of those, too, but, Craigslist to the rescue, I picked up a barely used Dewalt 625 router with a table yesterday afternoon for $150.00.  It's time to make the sawdust fly!

[fish n chicks]

Wow!!! I saw that in my shopnotes mag many moons ago and have wanted one since starting making my own bows. That's where plansnow.com got the plans. You did an awesome job cause it looks like the one straight out of their magazine.

Very excellent build. Can't wait to make mine now that I have a true reference! Thanks for sharing ChrisO!

[walkabout]

very cool. seeing stuff like that really tells me i gotta start making more of my own tools.

[Osagetree]

Originally posted by Osagetree:
You must be an enginier! WOW!

Originally posted by ChristopherO:
 
1. I am not an engineer (LOL)  

I see you can spell well too!  

[levibear]

Wow!