Replies

1. 
   astro | Jan 22, 2008 06:27am | #1

   Folks are always giving the cantilevered drum sanders a bad rap. Any reason to think the same problems won't be an issue with a wide belt like this one? To clarify, this is a cantilevered wide belt sander. I realize the benefits of the wide belt but this idea of sanding one half then the other of a wide panel with the cantilevered head seems an issue.

    

   Rick

   
   

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   Edited 1/21/2008 10:28 pm ET by Astro

2. 
   BigK | Jan 22, 2008 10:46am | #2

   I own one of the Shing Sheng 15-30 open sided sanders, 5 hp motor, one of the original open sided sanders. I have mostly praise for that machine. However even with the 5 hp motor you have to be patient with the machine. Probably are only removing about 1/64" of material per pass. Any more then that and the machine will protest loudly while the sanding belt stops and the drive belts slip. I can only imagine that this issue would be somewhat more pronounced with a 3 hp motor. If I could afford it I would try to find a used timesaver to step up to.
   As far as any issues of uneven sanding from sanding wide stock in two passes, this is not an issue if the machine is adjusted properly. I have not had any problems like that so far.

   
   

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   Edited 1/22/2008 2:50 am by BigK

1. 
   brad805 | Jan 22, 2008 09:54pm | #3

   Thanks for the tips.  I think the 3hp sounds a little too tedious.  I found the Sunhill version is reasonably priced, but it only has too feed speeds, 12 and 16fpm. 

   Brad

2. 
   brad805 | Jan 22, 2008 11:59pm | #4

   I found out the Sheng Shing and Sunhill are the same.  I found a used 1993 15" listed for $1800 and a new one is $3,100.  What do you think is reasonable for a 93 model and is there much that can break down on these machines? 

   Have you experienced any problems without having the platen like the Griz 5hp or some others?

   Thanks again

   Edited 1/22/2008 6:43 pm ET by brad805

1. 
   BigK | Jan 24, 2008 09:47am | #9

   Brad,
   I am not sure how to go about valuing any machine sight unseen. You need to open it up and poke around, look for anything obvious. Probably $1300 would be a reasonable starting price. You probably already know that shipping for a new sander is around $350 (to Denver). Take a strong buddy with you when you go to get the sander, it ways 650#.
   If you were to buy this machine there are two things that you need to know. By now you are probably aware that the sanding belt oscillates sideways about 1". This action is regulated by a couple of air switches. As a result this machine requires a fairly large amount of compressed air. How much? I am not exactly sure. My 6 CFM portable compressor can keep up with the sander but cycles very quickly. At present I don't use the sander a lot, when I do I have two 6 CFM portables sharing the load and cycling a little slower. Am looking for a fair deal for a larger 2-stage compressor to purchase. Buddy that I got the machine from used a 6 HP 20 gal PC compressor to support it in his shop, it seemed to do okay.
   Second thing you need to know is that you need to pay attention how you install sanding belts when you change grits. If you install it wrong the sanding belt will shear off one part of one of the far air switch in about 10 seconds and the machine will be down until a new one arrives from Sunhill; I make sure to keep a spare switch on hand just in case. When you break it, and you will do this once anyway, (I think that everyone breaks it once, the question is do you learn from your mistakes) it only takes about 10 or so minutes to change. The person who you are buying your sander from will be able to show you what I am talking about.
   I have my feed set at 12 FPM and get really good results on hardwoods; have even used it to sand a batch of end-grain cutting board that I made for Christmas last year. I have never tried to sand anything with veneers which is what I think you would need a platen for. I can screw up a thin veneer more then fast enough with a random orbital sander and my own two hands if I am not paying attention.
   I recommend that you check the drive belts and replace them if neccessary, and set the proper amount of tension. They tend to take a bit of a beating if the operator isn't careful about taking small bites with each pass of material.
   I really think that for the money the Sunhill is a good machine. You just have to understand that this is a baby timesaver and treat it as such.

1. 
   brad805 | Jan 24, 2008 07:30pm | #10

   I appreciate the time you spent explaining all this.  The sunhill people have been great and very quick to reply.  They did mention the plattens on the Open End Wide Belts sometimes have problems with deflecting, but without seeing them I dont know how true that is.  I will not be able to see the used machine I was thinking about because I live about 1200miles away from it.  Probably will not go that way cause the salesman is totally uninterested in selling it.

   Brad

1. 
   BigK | Jan 25, 2008 10:55am | #11

   Brad,
   After talking with a buddy who owns a hardwood lumberyard that also does a lot of custom profile production for area remodelers, I need to share what Andy told me. He says that widebelt sanders take a lot of abuse, and a they can be real finicky if they are old and worn out. Perhaps the salesperson's negative attitude is really a blessing in disguise. And you are right, the people at Sunhill are really good about taking the time to help anyone who might own one of their machines, regardless of how the machine was purchased. You might see if there if Craigslist.com has a listing in your area, and try watching that for another machine to come along. Best of luck.

2. 
   brad805 | Jan 25, 2008 07:04pm | #12

   Thanks again.

   Brad

3. 
   BigK | Jan 27, 2008 07:40am | #13

   You are welcome.

3. 
   aaronb | Jan 23, 2008 01:16am | #5

   I've purchased the Grizzly 15" in August and love it. I do think that 3 hp would be a bit undersized. When i run a full 15" through the grizzly the amp meter is still within a safe zone but don't think a 3 Hp would work. no problem at all with the canteliver style. The belts are great and can be changed in seconds which is necessary for sandig through the various grits.

1. 
   brad805 | Jan 23, 2008 01:25am | #6

   The spec on the griz site shows it has a 3hp too.  I didnt see an option to get 5hp?  Not that it matters anyway.  I live in Canada and Grizzly has an agreement not to sell in Canada.  What do you use for an air comp?  I have a 1hp, 5gal model, but it is old and I cannot find the specs. 

   Thanks for the info.

1. 
   aaronb | Jan 23, 2008 01:33am | #7

   http://grizzly.com/products/15-Wide-Belt-Sander-Open-End-/G9983

   I had never seen the 3 hp grizzly as it wasn't available when i purchased in late summer. I run a Porter Cable 60 gallon twin piston compressor. Everyones use is different but i really would shy away from 3 hp belt sanding is very power intensive. For me the decision was between the grizzly 5 hp and the Sunhill, which I've heard good things about. I went with the grizzly as it has a platen which help achieve a smoother finish. Without the platten I've heard you get more marks from the two contacting drums.

1. 
   brad805 | Jan 23, 2008 01:39am | #8

   Ahh, IC.  I forgot about the 5hp version. 

   Thanks

   Brad