Shopsmith Forums

For production purposes, I want to have two belt sanders with different grits on them. Is it possible to do this on a Shopsmith? Has anyone done this?

A shorty with a belt sander on both sides.

Haven't done it, but is should be possible with a properly sized shorty.

The belt sander can be driven from either end. Unless you have a mini-shorty, so that both belt sanders can be attached to the drive shaft, you will have to move the headstock back and forth but it would do what you are asking.

You got an extra drive hub?

I have a mini with both a jointer and belt sander mounted. Note that the sander mounted on the spindle side is offset toward the spindle the full width of the sander itself. Check the spacing you will need for the two drive hubs if you decide to use a shorty/mini. I used hubs suggested by Bill Mayo and can provide the source if you decide to use a modified chassis.
Dick

Won't the belt sander on the spindle side not be running "backwards" which would cause possible tracking and have no dust collection? I am confused

rjent wrote:Won't the belt sander on the spindle side not be running "backwards" which would cause possible tracking and have no dust collection? I am confused

No because the drive shaft for the belt sander is two ended. You don't have to turn it around.

dusty wrote:You got an extra drive hub?

I probably have one somewhere. I've got a pile of parts. I'm exploring options. I have two belt sanders and at times it would be useful to have both of them running.

I have enough parts to build another Shopsmith and a few parts shy of a third.

I think one could make a mount for a second belt sander out of wood that would allow it to be located on the way tubes and connect to the power head. That would allow you the two sanders without shortening the tubes. Would not be difficult to make.
Paul

dusty wrote:No because the drive shaft for the belt sander is two ended. You don't have to turn it around.

So I would need to build a shorty short enough that the quill feed with a drive hub attached would reach the belt sander?

It would be difficult to use a shorty because the drive couplers are not telescopic and engaging the second one would be problematic.
Paul