Disk/Belt Sander

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dankc908

dankc908

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2009
Messages
576
Location
Council Bluffs, IA
I have a combo disk/belt sander (2" belt - 6" disk) that doesn't work very well. I bought this Craftsman sander brand new at a local unnamed store :biggrin:
Well, to make a long story short I needed to change the sanding pad on the disk. Due to the fine (?) quality of this product I was unable to get to the disk without breaking the table lock-down mechanism - therefore, I am unable to accurately do my 'barrel-trimming' on the sander. I would like to replace the same with a 4" belt - 9(+-)" disk and begin doing the barrel-trimming on the sander. Will one of these work or would I be better off with a dedicated disk sander? All opinions are greatly appreciated. Obviously, I will look at other suppliers besides the established purveyor of the Crapsman line of tools!

Dan
 
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I use a Ryobi combo belt/disk sander with 4: belt and 6"? disk for squaring up my blanks and see no reason to change. I use the belt most of the time and have built a fixture to hold the blanks. I can send you a pic if you'd like. I gave up on pen mills years ago. I like this type machine because it takes up less room than two sanders.
 
I use a Dayton 1" x 42"vertical belt x 8" disc sander. Its a vintage machine in verry good condition, when I bought it for $50. I sand everything on it-tubes, sharpen chisels.

I'm curious as to why you prefer a sander over a pen mill? I don't care much for the pen mill, but would like to know why you choose the sander.
Russ
 
I invested about an hour or less to fabricate a jig using an old mandrel rod to perform barrel trimming. (design loosely based on article in library). I also have the sanding mill made by a member here. Since that time I have not ever used my carbide tipped barrel trimmer. I use the jig with a belt sander with great results. Try it, you will LIKE it!
Steve
 
I don't much care for the small combo sanders, for about the same money you can get a 12" disc sander that will kick a##!

I have this one.... http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Disc-Sander/G7297
and I love it. I keep an 80 grit disc from Klingspoor on it and it does everything from pens to full size rocking chairs.

I also made one of the sanding jigs shown in the IAP library but I modified it a little, here's some pics......
 
rherrell said:
I don't much care for the small combo sanders, for about the same money you can get a 12" disc sander that will kick a##!

I have this one.... http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Disc-Sander/G7297
and I love it. I keep an 80 grit disc from Klingspoor on it and it does everything from pens to full size rocking chairs.
Click to expand...

Dan, I have the same sander as you (purchased used for $30 .... and I over spent) :biggrin: and I tend to agree with you! :smile:

I have thought about replacing it and I tend to agree with Rick (can't go wrong there) ....

Seems like it would be a good choice. my $.02
 
I use a 9" x 48" stationary belt/disc sander and threw that barrel trimmer in the corner, some place in my shop. I use the appropriate diameter punch to square my pen tubes. No jig per say where you are limited. But use a piece of aluminum sq angle and just place that against the miter gauge then the punch which holds the tube and blank off the table so it can be slid into disc and be sanded which only takes a second.... Carl
 
monark88 said:
I use a Dayton 1" x 42"vertical belt x 8" disc sander. Its a vintage machine in verry good condition, when I bought it for $50. I sand everything on it-tubes, sharpen chisels.

I'm curious as to why you prefer a sander over a pen mill? I don't care much for the pen mill, but would like to know why you choose the sander.
Russ
Click to expand...

In answer to your last comment check out this thread which started my questions.

Dan
 
Dan,
I use the 10 inch disk sander from Harbor Freight. I suppose any disc or combination disk/belt sander will work. The key to squaring on the disk sander is to make a jig that will keep the pen tube (glued inside the blank) perpendicular to the sanding disk. Unless the blank is perfectly square (or rectangular) in cross section and the sides are parallel to each other(the shape is a rectangular prism) using the sander's table and miter guide will not work satisfactorily. Pen blanks are usually not this perfect shape and our drilling for the tube not so precise. The sander must have a table that is adjustable and a secure locking system to keep the table secured in place. I use the jig outlined in the article by Jay Pickens found here in the IAP library: http://content.penturners.org/library/tools_and_jigs/blanksquaring.pdf This jig works perfectly and is easy to make.

Some comments in the past have suggested the sander will remove too much brass tube. I have not found this to be true...even with the kits that are tube length sensitive. I don't understand why the same argument is not offered for using the drill press and a pen mill. Using the disk sander one can hear when the disk touches the end of the tube...the pitch or sound of the sanding will change and the blank can be immediately removed from the disk. This is also true somewhat when using a drill with a pen mill....the sound changes along with the feel of the pen mill on the tube's end. But, I still see brass shavings in the waste pile of my friends who square with a pen mill and drill press.

Good luck in your choice of a squaring method.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
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