1x42 belt sander worth buying?

[Jomohr84]

Hey guys,

I am going to look at a Jet 1"x42" belt sander/disc sander today after work, found it on craigslist, called the guy and he said its in new condition and he's only asking $80.00 for it.
   

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http://www.toolsource.com/inch-bench-belt-disc-sander-p-135337.html  Would this be a good investment for making bows in your opinion? I know a lot of guys use 6"x48" belt sanders, but the price is right on this one.

input much appreciated since I am going to check it out this afternoon

[Pat B]

IMO the 6x48 would be more appropriate for bow building and the 1x42 would be good for knife making.

[Jomohr84]

I guess my thinking was, since I am using 1x2 boards, I would he able to rough out the limbs faster with this than the four in hand file/rasp. I have been using an angle grinder with flap sanding disc, but that is a bit too aggressive and difficult to remove material evenly.

[bjansen]

I don't think it would be all that useful for bowmaking...But nice to have around....sharpening broadheads with a super fine belt, knife making...general stuff etc. Decent price on a Jet.

[karrow]

Originally posted by Pat B:
IMO the 6x48 would be more appropriate for bow building and the 1x42 would be good for knife making.

Pat is wright.

it would also be nice for sharpening any hand tools you might have. thats what i use my 1in sander for

[Blkbird]

[Jomohr84]

My biggest problems are not enough money and not enough time! But a lot of us have that problem, so I'm not alone. That's another reason why I am interested in this belt sander.

It is available at a good price for a good quality brand, my father has a jet table saw and band saw, and they've been no problem for about 15 years now. If I get it and don't like it, I know he'd like it! I really wish it was a jet 6"x48" belt sander for $80.00, but since its not, I might have to try it out and improvise with what's available and affordable.

[Pat B]

Trying to find the fastest way to shape a bow is also the fastest way to ruin one. It really doesn't take long to shape a bow with a rasp and you are aware of every bit of wood you take off. With power tools it is too late by the time you find out you screwed up.

[kennym]

Originally posted by Pat B:
Trying to find the fastest way to shape a bow is also the fastest way to ruin one. It really doesn't take long to shape a bow with a rasp and you are aware of every bit of wood you take off. With power tools it is too late by the time you find out you screwed up.

A big AMEN to that!

[Jomohr84]

Very good advice. I learned that the hard way with the angle grinder, and since then I go much more slow and careful, and keep wood removal outside the lines, finishing with the file. I guess if I do buy it and have no use for it shaping bows, it could have other uses, I'm one of those who has a hard time passing up a deal.

[vanillabear?]

[scrub-buster]

The 1" belt sanders are great for arrows and shaping tip overlays.

[Jomohr84]

Oh well I bought it, for the price I don't mind waiting a little longer for a 6x48. Did look at the RIDGID Oscillating Edge/Belt Spindle Sander, and may research that a little since it is affordable and looked as if it might be useful.

So the belt sander I bought was an older model, 20 years old to be exact. But it does have a 1/2 hp motor, and the new model has 1/3 hp. Cleaned it up, put on a new belt and it looks pretty good for $80.00.

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[7 Lakes]

About all I build anymore are glass backed bows but I like the 1" belt to round out the window shelf and final touches on the tips.  Mine is heavily used.

[scottm]

I love mine for shaping grips,tips,made a tapering jig for wood arrows for the disk sander.The first time you use it to shape out a grip or sand around a sight window you be glad you have it.I use the heck out of mine.

[SportHunter]

Nice sander, I prefer vintage tools for the most part.

[karrow]

looks like agreat sander and you got a good brand it will last

[macbow]

That little disc sander on this tool could end up being the best part for shaping the sides of limbs etc.
I have a 12 inch disc and it's the firs stop to clean off glue and straighten out limbs etc.

[scrub-buster]

I also use mine a lot for grinding feathers too.

[Jomohr84]

Yeah the wheel is 8" diameter, so its a fair size, and seems to have a good bit of power, so I'd like to try roughing out my limbs with it. And thanks everyone for giving me so many ideas, I didn't think of tapering my arrows, but now I can set aside the "pencil sharpeners" and use this with a jig