Large bench top belt sander

**FineModelBoats** · Jun 18, 2015, 06:45 AM

I saw a very clever and beautifully done 6 x 48 bench top belt sander by atlinwi202. I'm looking to do something similar. I intend to use the radial arm saw as the power source. I'm looking for info on parts sources for the drums, shafts, bearings and what look to be bearings with tensioner rods attached.

Gerry

**machiningfool** · Aug 7, 2015, 08:43 AM

I am sure you have seen the large belt sanders made from a treadmill, like the one I made in 2009. It was very easy and cheap to build. This one is 14.5" by 48" Here is a video, Robert Brown machiningfool.

**Jerrdan john** · Aug 8, 2015, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by machiningfool

I am sure you have seen the large belt sanders made from a treadmill, like the one I made in 2009. It was very easy and cheap to build. This one is 14.5" by 48" Here is a video, Robert Brown machiningfool.

I would like to hereby declare that all treadmills be made into belt sanders. That is the only useful treadmill I have ever seen. Do folks really use treadmills for over a week anyway? Jonathan

**Frank S** · Sep 6, 2015, 11:05 PM

What a great idea.
I bet I have seen 1000s of perfectly good tread mills go to the scrap yard that were nearly new
I have 2 or 3 laying around that I picked up for nothing to scavenge parts off of.
Maybe I'll use one of them myself tof just such a machine/

**machiningfool** · Sep 7, 2015, 06:34 AM

Yes, Frank. It is the easiest machine that I've built. No wiring, just unplug and plug in the wiring, unless you have to shorten the wires, then just some soldering. This one, all I had to do is add some bracing and the cross boards to let the granite sit on. Bob.

**Frank S** · Sep 8, 2015, 01:35 AM

I had a look at one of the ones I have today. I don't have time to construct a build for a sander just now but placed it on my to do list for soon after we get moved and I build my shop. I am thinking of mounting an adjustable back stop that can be set to varing degree angles similar to that of a jointer
where did you find your sanding belt or did you glue one up yourself from a roll of media?

**Frank S** · Sep 8, 2015, 01:36 AM

I had a look at one of the ones I have today. I don't have time to construct a build for a sander just now but placed it on my to do list for soon after we get moved and I build my shop. I am thinking of mounting an adjustable back stop that can be set to varing degree angles similar to that of a jointer
where did you find your sanding belt or did you glue one up yourself from a roll of media?

**machiningfool** · Sep 8, 2015, 06:36 AM

As far as the sanding belt, just Google custom sanding belts and a million co's will come up. I think I got mine in Illinois, at the time, it was only 17.00. The way I measured the belt was to cut it cross wise and measure the length, and that is the length of the belt. I used the same width as the one on the treadmill. Bob.