Any quality disc "sanders" out there?

C

coldsteelburns

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Aug 2, 2010
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I've recently been looking around to buy a disc sander (because I can't afford a disc grinder). I was looking for them in 9" so I can use rhyno wet sandpaper with the 3M feathering adhesive and all that. The closest size I could find were 10" and then there are the 12" ones, and then the smaller ones. I found 9" belt/disc combos, but that's the last thing need, I already have a 4x36X6 skil anyway that I rarely use. I want to use the disc for obvious things like flattening scales, tangs and guards etc., tapering tangs, and maybe even grinding in clips using th work rest as well as flattening bevels, (I know a normal disc sansder wouldn't be ideal for the last two things though since they are reversable). I'm just curious if anybody here has a disc "sander" (not grinder) that they use a lot and really like the quality, and perhaps flexability of. I can't afford a disc grinder, so I want the next best thing. I know I could source the motor vfd etc. for not as much as buying a plug n play disc grinder, but I honestly don't want go through all that, I'm not good at wiring or that great at tinkering, plus I want to be abe to use one right away, and the other major thing is that I want a work rest that is adjustable.

So if you guys could recommend any quality disc sander that you use, have used, or know of, or even any creative ways you have improved upon the ones you use, that would be great :) Thanks a bunch in advance!


-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
 
Build your own. You can get a 1hp for around 150, the disc for 80ish, VFD from TECO around 150ish too and you're set. Not only does it not break the bank but you have a tool that will grow with you.
 
I've heard good things about the 10" micromark dc disk sander it's adjustable speed from 280-480rpm too. Looks like a good machine to me, but it is 10" so I don't know if that will exclude it for you. I think it's around $270.

Either way, order one of their catalogs. Lots of neat stuff because they make tools for the model building industry. Pretty interesting, at least to me.
 
Strig, I was lookin at that mircromark disc sander yesterday and I thought that looked like the best one. I wish the demo video had sound to it, so you could hear the motor. The variable speed range on it seems like it stays pretty low on the rpms, which is a good thing but still, it would be nice to know it's limits.

Build your own. You can get a 1hp for around 150, the disc for 80ish, VFD from TECO around 150ish too and you're set. Not only does it not break the bank but you have a tool that will grow with you.
Click to expand...

carbonsteel, do you have links to a good/inexpensive motor and vfd? Also is this the route you took, (that is if you have one)? I was watching John Grimsmo's video on building a disc sander and he posted a link to where he got his motor ($110) and vfd ($180) but all the 3-phase motors with the lower rpm are sold out, and in his video the vfd he got seems to be a bit confusing. Like I said, I'm not very "electronic" savvy and wiring them seems like a big task.

Here is the vid
[video=youtube;2VCwEr-FXPc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VCwEr-FXPc[/video]

And the link to the place where he bought his parts (it's in the vid description) www.AutomationDirect.com .

Yea I was also wondering is even 1/2 HP would be powerful enough for a disc grinder. I know 3/4 HP is since a number of makers use them on theirs, (I think).

Thanks for your guys input so far :)

-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
 
I'll email you links if you wish.

My humble set up


IMG_20140822_185339_zpsff8c10a0.jpg
 
I recently purchased top quality components and assembled a variable speed AC 1hp disk grinder and it sits idle because my 2x72 grinder does all jobs so much better for me.

I'm still not "sold" on using a disk grinder and have resorted to using my 2X72 KMG grinder for everything.

With that said, I think CarbonSteel928 has a good suggestion to get you started at reasonable cost. (You'll have to search hard to purchase a 1 hp sealed motor at $150, though). Try ebay.

Mike L.
 
CarbonSteel928,

Is that electrical power being distributed from the red toolbox hanging on your wall. ?

Mike
 
Cool, thanks for the links man I was wondering, my "shop" (shed) is only set up for 110-120 volts or w/e, and not 220v (I am using an extention cord from out kitchen to the shed for power), so could I get a 220V 1 HP 3 -PH motor and then use a VFD with a 110V input, and a 220V output to be able to use it in my shed? I was thinking about using this TECO VFD(from the same site you posted, carbonsteel) http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_115V/FM50-101-C.html ... And "IF" what I am asking would work, since that specific VFD has a 230V output, could a 220-ish volt or there-abouts motor work, or does the voltage have to match exactly, thus needing to get motor that uses 230 volts? Thanks again guys, keep the suggestions commin! :)

-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
 
coldsteelburns said:
BTW, I am already finding a lot of good deals on ebay for 1 HP 3PH 208-220/440 Volt motors. That voltage range seems to be a pretty common one that I'm seeing on there, and this would also apply to my question above..

Would this be a good one? The price is nice :thumbup: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAYTON-3N48...680?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f2719240

-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
Click to expand...

I would recommend a TEFC motors. Totally closed fan cooled. An open design is not a good idea since it allows metal dust and particles to get it. A vfd has the same issue unless it's a nema4 enclosure. You will see all kinds of work a rounds for both though that seem to work.
 
I have been looking for a disc grinder myself... the Pheer and KMG look nice.

Is 1/2 hp enough for grinding steel/Ti on a disc? I notice the Trugrit grinder looks excellent but it 1/3 or 1/2 hp.

I'm buying mine to keep my Ti framelock frames flat and to touch up the flats on my folder blades... do I need a completely flat disc or will a beveled one work if I stay to one side?
 
I swear I thought that said it was a TEFC, I say others in the same price range that were... But does anybody know if my question in post #12 would work??

Thanks

I am wondering the same thing Daniel, if 1/2 HP would be sufficient...?

-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
 
coldsteel, I think you are trying to accomplish something that won't work. Another factor, is if you are trying to power this off of an extension cord, that is loaded with lots of additional challenges, but suffice it to say you don't want to power high power electrical equipment through extension cords. That is a transformer if it is putting out 230 with 110-120 going in--and I suspect the loads it takes are more than you should run through an extension cord.
Good luck in figuring your needs out.
 
When I was looking to build or buy a disk grinder for myself, I decided to build my own and use a 1 hp motor. Although the Trugrit T-95 was very appealing, I decided against it because of the 1/2 hp motor. In my opinion, you will want a 1 hp motor for grinding steel. I can stall my 1 hp with a 9" disk quite easilty, and wish I had 2 hp but no disks are available with an arbor hole large enough for motor shafts on 2 hp motors. Buy as much as you can afford.

Mike L.
 
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