Shopsmith Forums

It is highly likely that I will soon need a stationary belt sander. I wanted to get inputs on what folks think about the SS belt sander and belts.

I'd like to find a used one locally and am hoping that something might pop up on Craigslist with spring just around the corner (and already 3 weekends of spring-like weather here since New Years).

I kick myself for not buying a used 500 a couple years ago that included a belt sander, as well as a jigsaw, jointer, and bandsaw plus the usual accessories. Think the guy was asking $400, "not working", probably could have got for less. I didn't really want, nor had space for another 500, so I "fixed" it for him -- someone had messed with the speed control while powered off, sticking the belt in one of the Reeves pulleys -- and suggested he ask $500-600 now that it was running. Sometimes I'm not the brightest feller.

My only experience prior to a SS belt sander was when I was with NASA in the 70's. Comparing that sander to the Magna I got packaged with a package 500, I think the SS Belt Sander is outstanding. I also like the ability to have a disk sander and a drum all running at the same time ... on the belts, they seem well made although I only have about 3 months of usage so far ....

Just my green .02 .....

I can't compare the Shopsmith belt stander to other stationary belt sanders because I've only owned the Shopsmith. But, if you already have a Shopsmith, there's something to be said about having the ability to use the same miter gauge.

The new Shopsmith ceramic belts are amazing.

algale wrote:I can't compare the Shopsmith belt stander to other stationary belt sanders because I've only owned the Shopsmith. But, if you already have a Shopsmith, there's something to be said about having the ability to use the same miter gauge.

The new Shopsmith ceramic belts are amazing.

I'll bite. What is there about them that makes them amazing? Are you comparing their performance and life expectancy to the SHOPSMITH aluminum oxide belts? What grids have you used and which is the "most amazing". Have you used any belts other than from Shopsmith.

I have two belts 80 grit and 120 grit left in the shop so I am due to purchase something.

rjent wrote:I also like the ability to have a disk sander and a drum all running at the same time ...

Well put the disk sander on the headstock spindle, and the drum sander on the shaft located front left. IF the Magna has it?

Not sure if you are biting but I definitely hear you barking. I have only the 80 grit Shopsmith/G2 belt and can only compare it to Shopsmith aluminum oxide belts. My experience with non-Shopsmith belts have also been aluminum oxide.

My subjective sense that the G2 cuts faster than aluminum oxide belts of the same grit. Maybe the G2 just loads less and therefore it seems to cut faster compared to an aluminum oxide belt which loads up quicker? In the past when I have used the big eraser on an aluminum oxide belt, it leaves streaks and some impacted sawdust in the belt. After running some 2x4 cut-offs through the G2 abrasive belt, the eraser cleaned the G2 up completely. No streaks. No impacted sawdust. You would not know it had been used.

Shopsmith claims they cut four times faster and last four times longer. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... c_6x48.htm Maybe they have the empirical data to back up my subjective observation.

I will never by an Aluminum oxide belt again. The green belts are far superior. I have quite a few
Al oxide belts hanging in my shop - most of them used. They will probably hang there for a long time.

I owned my Shopsmith Mark V for years before purchasing the belt sander. Wish I had not waited so long.
The best feature for me is the ability to use the variable speed of the Mark V. I am able to shape small wood pieces by hand on the sander. On other brand belt sanders, the belt speed is way too fast and just rips the wood out of my hand.

The only thing I will add is when I purchased the Sander new from Shopsmith about 8 or 10 years ago. It got lost in mail and took the long way to my house from Dayton. Was kinda disappointed the sander was just placed in a box with very little packaging. I have received books in the mail with more packaging. The casting has a very small chip near the tensor knob. I did not notice it right away or I would have sent it back. I am sure it was done in shipping.

My woodworking club has several belt sanders in the community shop from the small bench top 4" belts up to the 6X48 size. The 6X48 one is a Harbor Freight which was donated and the other is the Shopsmith.
Most of our members come in and go to the HF one first and gradually move to the Shopsmith. I guess most of them have a built in bias against the SS. However when they do use the SS I always get the same response when I ask why. Superior dust collection. Most of our members are amazed at how little dust is created when the SS is used. It is now the go to sander in the shop.
Bill V

FWIW: I think the belt sander is one of the best attachments SS has.I also will sing praises for the bandsaw.