Shopsmith Forums

Hello everyone

I just bought a ~1992 Mark V 510 and I am in the process of getting it all set up. One thing I would like to buy right now from Shopsmith is the 6" x 48" belt sander 555355. For those of you who have this SPT, please let me know how you rate the dust collection. This will be based in part on what you have hooked up to the dust port so include that info, as well.

I will likely have this connected to an Oneida Dust Cobra. I'm not expecting total dust collection but hoping that this belt sander doesn't send off huge clouds of dust in the garage.

Another Q: does anyone have experience with both the Shopsmith brand sanding belts and the AO sanding belts (listed on the website)? Are the SS branded abrasive belts worth the higher price?

Thanks in advance for any comments you might have for me to consider.

Rob

Connected to a DC3300 the dust collection on the belt sander is ok but not great -- in other words like every other Shopsmith power tool. After a sanding session, particularly using coarse grit, there will be dust collecting on the surfaces of the Shopsmith leg below the belt sander.

The ceramic belts last longer than AO. Worth the higher price? I think so.

algale--thanks for the info.

If you happen to pick up an old used one be aware that there is an upgrade to the dust collection for them. Not sure when that changed but the one I got in the mid 70's needed the upgrade.

Even with the dust collection running there is still dust, but if you ever try using it without dust collection you will see the "clouds" of dust and it settles everywhere. I did that just once.

I use to get a lot more use out of the belt sander, then it started having issues I sort of went off it for some years. A few years back I decided to spend the money to get it back to new condition but I still don't use it much. Just depends on the projects you are working on and now much effort I feel like putting into get set up to use it. Strip sander is easier to use for smaller projects so I tend to go that way more often then the big belt sander. I should use it more since I spent the money to redo it but.........

Ed

I have the older style belt sander. Dust collection is what I consider "adequate". For years I used my Shopvac and it was OK. Now I have a large dust collector so I use it instead. Both work OK. I always wear a dust mask when sanding, just like when using the lathe because it is far more messy than the belt sander.
I find that my belt sander is my go-to SPT. It gets more use than any of my other SPTs.
I have used the lower priced belts for many years and am fully satisfied with their performance. I suppose the ceramic belts would work somewhat better and last longer.

Ed, Gary-thanks for the info. It sounds like I can expect decent DC.

I'm sure it can't be as bad as using Grandpa's belt sander when I was a kid. No dust collection but instead dust dispersal through the shop door into the Kansas wind LOL.

I have the old collector port. Just using with a shop vac right now and the dust collection is not great. I think it is actually grabbing a large percentage of the dust but what remains is ending up in the air distributed on the floor beneath. I think vertical mode puts more of the dust in the air. I definitely need to upgrade the dust chute and get my dust collector connected.

My Belt Sander is from 1977. It originally had the 1-1/4" dust port and I upgraded it to the 2-1/2" port. An easy change to do. The Dust Chute changed from 1-1/4” to 2-1/2” in August 1987. I have the Shopsmith DC330L Dust Collector which with the 2-1/2" chute does a fair job of collecting the dust. Dust collection wasn't as good with the 1-1/4" port.

Something to note about the Belt Sander is some built in versatility with the double ended drive shaft. It can be powered on either side of the headstock and the "extra" shaft end can have a drum sander mounted for additional sanding capabilities.

A plus through tomorrow is the Belt Sander is on sale along with sanding belts.

Thanks for all the responses, everyone. I ordered it and some belts. $60+ for shipping OH to northern VA (where is my exploding head imogi from my iphone !?)

Free shipping was from black Friday to cyber Monday. Of course, the Belt Sander wasn't on sale then, but you did end up saving more on the sale prices than you would have on just shipping you are paying.