Hi all I’m looking at maybe buying a wide belt sander.But I trying to see the cost recovery.I’m now working a 37 -2 performax drum but can’t get the finish I would like out of it. Dose do well on small doors or tops not so well on any thing larger.It is also very slow going.Don’t get me wrong I don’t get burnt belts or use it like a planer I have a planer. What I need to know is a wide belt going to give me a better finish with less finish sanding or is it going to give me the same thing.And I would like to know what I should look at buying bran.I’ve Sean the wood shop news but it didn’t say much who makes the better.Cost doesn’t matter to much? I do own a Felder ps. Any thoughts on this will be helpful. Thank you all.
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Replies
Jim -
Have you tried winding a thin strip of foam rubber under the belt on your drum sander? I have found that that gives a better finish with mine. No experience with a wide belt sander personally, but I've seen superb results at large cabinet shops using high dollar machines.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
No comparison. Make sure the widebelt has a sanding platen. That way you can go straight to finishing. You will have to sand crossgrain marks out but no biggie. Widebelt with a straight drum leaves a slight washboard effect like a drum sander which needs to be finish sanded with a randon orbit sander. You might also check into stroke sanders. Can be picked up very cheaply and leaves a great finish. Been using all kinds of sanders in custom and production set up for 35 years. Also used both types in the metal working industry. Timesavers just came out with a 37" for $7,000 for the small shop. I've picked up stroke sanders for $500. All the big shops I worked had widebelts and stroke sanders. You need to go to more trade shows and visit other shops to see what's out there and what folks are doing.
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