4x36 upgrades

[dustin_mud]

I recently converted my 4x36 sander to a 2x48 but it still lacks power to grind bevels. Anyone have any tricks to mod the motor to give it more power?

 

[catalytic]

I recently converted my 4x36 sander to a 2x48 but it still lacks power to grind bevels. Anyone have any tricks to mod the motor to give it more power?

Yes, but first we will need to know:

What motor do you have on it? Specifically, we need to know:
1. The motor horsepower (listed on the motor tag)
2. either the brand of the motor or the amps of the motor (listed on the motor tag).
3. The RPM of the motor (listed on the motor tag)
4. How many surface feet per minute are you running? If you don't know, just tell us the size of the 2 pulleys.

Before we get too far, also tell us what specifically happens when you lose power. Is the motor bogging down or is the drive V-belt slipping or is the sanding belt slipping?

 

[dustin_mud]

Sorry it's a Porter Cable, here's what I know right now.
3/4hr
3450rpm
5amp
It sounds like the motor is bogging down but I do get a ton of belt walk when I lay the blade on the belt.
Also using the jiffy 2x48 conversion

 

[dustin_mud]

Will check on the rest tomorrow.

 

[12345678910]

Sorry it's a Porter Cable, here's what I know right now.
3/4hr
3450rpm
5amp
It sounds like the motor is bogging down but I do get a ton of belt walk when I lay the blade on the belt.
Also using the jiffy 2x48 conversion

5 amps is not a three quarter HP motor

Especially by Porter Cable's standards


try a different motor

 

[PT Doc]

Is the motor part of the whole assembly? The motor rating is optimistic so you have an undersized motor scenario. look into other options before plowing more money into this setup, but keep it to use for wood.

 

[dustin_mud]

I was just going off what the advertise

 

[dustin_mud]

Yes it's all one assembly

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It is nearly impossible to change out the motor for a new one on an "all in one" type sander.

The only change I have ever seen done successfully on one of those type sanders was to mount a pulley on the disc sander shaft ( removing the disc), disconnect the power from the existing motor, and install a new motor below or behind the grinder to run the pulley by a belt. This also allows use of a VS motor.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

HEre's a thread I did a few years ago about this subject. Some info about tracking in there, although it doesn't help with the Jiffy conversion. Not sure that I care for the design. I tried that style originally, but the vertical position on most 4x36 is far too weak to support the weight and torque of the platen while grinding. As you can see from my conversion, it's much more solid in it's horizontal state. You can put plenty of pressure on it with no issues. If I had to guess, you can't put enough tension on the belt with the side clamp design of the jiffy.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-grinder-conversion?highlight=2x72+conversion

 

[dustin_mud]

Thank you, what would cause the belt to move over the second I touch the metal to it? Makes it impossible to get good grind.

 

[phorizt]

probably two issues there... First there's not a 2" crowned tracking wheel on there from what I can tell which helps hold the belt in one place. 2nd issue could be belt tension. If you had a way to put a crown on one of those rubber wheels on the jiffy conversion attachment that would probably help.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

The clamp on style of the Jiffy could cause it to slide when you add tension from grinding. Reinforce the non clamp side and it should track better.