Belt Sander vs. Disc Sander

[mountainbreeze]

I am considering the purchase of a used SS belt sander but I find myself wondering what are the advantages of it over the disc sander. Are there things that can be done significantly better or easier with a belt sander vs. the disc sander?

[JPG]

This is opinion, but I do not think you will regret getting a belt sander.

The simplest difference is the elimination of swirls due to the rotary motion of the disk. The belt moves in a straight line and creates straight 'scratches'.

The table is small but adequate.

It will sand down more rapidly than the disk.

The belt surface is much larger than the disk(loads up less quickly).

Tension mechanism a bit quirky(but works very well once thee understands it).

[masonsailor2]

Agree with JPG all the way. They both have their uses but having the belt sander also will give you much more versatility.
Paul

[mountainbreeze]

Thanks JPG / Paul.

Paul, you say "much more versatility" and I guess that is what I am wondering about. Can you elaborate on how the belt sander is more versatile? Is there something that can be done with a belt sander that can't be done with the disc sander?

[roy_okc]

@Mountainbreeze,

I bought a used belt sander perhaps 2 years ago, sat unused until 2 weeks ago. (Unused due to life, didn't do much woodworking during that time.) I am starting to play around with incorporating resin with wood projects, in this particular case I CNCed a ~4x4" design into a ~5x5"piece of wood and filled it with dyed epoxy. I had to overfill it some to ensure I got it completely filled; due to my lack of experience, I ended up perhaps 1/16-3/32" in some places above the surface of the wood. To clean it up, I started with a random orbit sander (ROS) with 80 grit and after a couple minutes figured out that it would take a very long time. I then took it to the belt sander, ended up having to use a 240 (I think) grit because that was all I had after the 80 grit broke while trying to put it on. Even though the grit was way too fine, it still took off the excess within 5-10 minutes to just get the top of the wood showing through the epoxy. I then followed up on the ROS with progressively finer grits up through 12,000.

I would not have even considered using the disk sander except as a last resort on this project due to being difficult to safely hold the piece on the flat side against the disc itself. I think it would be even more problematic if the piece were longer. Now, if I had a conical disk then that might have been an option roughly equivalent to the belt sander.

My next steps, after buying some new belts, is to investigate using the sander on the right side with the SS in upright mode, in effect as an edge sander. Then probably building a drum sander (probably like Stumpy Nubs' design with modifications) that may or may not somehow be driven by the Shopsmith.

[garys]

I will simply say that I use my belt sander on every project I build, and never use the disc sander at all.

[masonsailor2]

I use the belt sander over the disc sander due to less heat build up and the sanding occurs with the grain giving a better finish. I also use it for sharpening my lathe chisels.
Paul

[redleg]

@Mountainbreeze,

My next steps, after buying some new belts, is to investigate using the sander on the right side with the SS in upright mode, in effect as an edge sander. Then probably building a drum sander (probably like Stumpy Nubs' design with modifications) that may or may not somehow be driven by the Shopsmith.

I think with a Mark 7 you might be able to do what you are suggesting on the right side but I think the belt sander in horizontal position may accomplish what you need to do.

http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/beltsa ... x.htm#edge


The belt sander can be used on either side of the headstock. Most I have had come with a cap over the shaft on one side that can be removed and put on the other side. Another option is to attach a drum sander of varying sizes to sand inside holes and curves on that shaft.

[charlesw]

I agree. Belt sander all the way. My belt sander never leaves the shopsmith. The disk sander hangs on the wall. There are uses for the disk. I do segmented projects. With the miter gauge and belt, I can make fine adjustments. Not so with the disk.
Anyway, my vote is belt sander. I could not have a happy shop without it.

[charlesw]

One thing I forgot. Ceramic belts are far superior compared to regular belts.
more money, but in my opinion, well worth the extra.