Shopsmith Forums

roopurt5 wrote:I'd not seen that before, and it's a really neat idea. Think it's something that could be rigged up for the SS bandsaw?

Well 1 X 72 sanding belts are available. A SS strip sander is $289 at full price. I don't know how how easy a conversion from BS to strip sander would be even if the adapter was available since the SS band saw was not made to do that.

I have a strip sander so...

Ah, but if one doesn't have the strip sander, and is not inclined to buy it, it would perhaps be a viable alternative. Particularly if the jig could be procured at a much lower price.

roopurt5 wrote:Ah, but if one doesn't have the strip sander, and is not inclined to buy it, it would perhaps be a viable alternative. Particularly if the jig could be procured at a much lower price.

Sure it would. Lets see your idea on how to make it.

These are the parts to do the conversion for my saw. Not much to it.
Before you get toooooo into the design you might want to find a source of 1/2" x 72" sanding belts.

Ed

To the drawing board!!

Y'all need to determine how the leather belt will like the two guide bearings. I doubt the leather is 'stiff' enough to survive for long.

JPG wrote:Y'all need to determine how the leather belt will like the two guide bearings. I doubt the leather is 'stiff' enough to survive for long.

Well this was a sanding belt thread but if you change the leather to sanding belt JPG has pretty much killed this idea. On my other bandsaw you have control of the tilt of the upper wheel and thus you control where the blade or sanding belt sits on the wheel and this dictates where the blade/belt is running. On the shopsmith there is no such adjustment and that function is taken care of by riding on bearings. The sanding belt will not be controlled by the bearings without major wear.

If you have another bandsaw then the shopsmith then you should be able to get it to work.

Ed

JPG wrote:Y'all need to determine how the leather belt will like the two guide bearings. I doubt the leather is 'stiff' enough to survive for long.

I forgot about the uniqueness of the SS band saw. You and Ed are perfectly correct. The issue is tracking and because the SS band saw has a different tracking system it will not work.

Not to interfere here but as I stated B4 my nephew is a turner and a hand tool guy, and a food chemist who loves to cook. Okay he sharpens all, kitchen knifes, hand plane blades, ect. He has a 2x4, about 16 inches long with leather on it and uses jewelry polishing grit on it to strop the edges, and they are dangerous sharp, kithen knives especially. I like a good sharp knife in my kitchen, but when I just happen to pass a finger by the edge and get cut, wow!!!

You beat me to it! Yes, the problem with using the SS BS as a strip sander is the Auto-Tracking that would cause the belt to drive toward the back of the saw from and into the back-up bearings, distroying the belt and eventually the bearings. If you haven't used one the SS strip sander is quite bullet proof and effective. Scott