Strip Sander for Stock Removal Direction?

[GSchiela]

Hello,

Does it matter the direction you use on the strip sander for stock removal?
The instructions for the chisel attachment specify the quill side.

Does anyone find that is best also for stock removal, or does it matter?
Sharpening?
Stropping?

[I just got a strip sander, and I am trying to understand it. Also, I am trying to figure out what to do with my shop as I am running out of room, and the guy would not just sell me the Power Station and Strip sander, but I had to buy the whole lot, so I now have an extra 510 (missing the sliding tables--but I have), bandsaw, belt sander, etc. etc. I was thinking I would mount the strip sander to the Mark VII so I could just reverse the heads, but now I am thinking I will give my friend the Mark VII to make room in the shop, and set the new 510 up for Dados and Strip Sander etc. But I am trying to understand direction.]

Thank you,
Gerry

[nuhobby]

I go along with what others have said, and what Shopsmith advises, and run the "belt going up" when grinding metal. Mainly to keep hot sparks out of the machinery and the dust collection port.

I have a PowerPro and I've re-ground many a plane or chisel blade at about 400-500 rpm with the belt going up. Then I'm situated to move on to finer-accuracy honing.

I haven't run a leather stropping belt yet, would like to hear more about that from people who have. I do most of my stropping on a stationary leather surface.

Chris

[JPG]

The strip sander is run with the belt moving up when the lathe chisel sharpening attachment is used. That prevents the chisel from digging into the belt.

'Normal' operation is with the belt running down towards the table.

As for grinding debris exit direction, I think up is less desirable.

In any event hot metal sparks and wind machines are a bad combination.