disc sander set-up

Joined
Nov 16, 1999
Messages
25
I'm in the process of converting my 9" disc sander to variable speed and intend to use it for finishing flats at about 320-600 grit. I'm just wonder if anyone has any suggestions as to what the best disc RPM range would be so I can figure out pulley sizes. Any suggestions? By the way, I'm using a 1/2hp,1720rpm reversable motor.

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Just because you're not paraniod doesn't mean they're not out to get you
 
Yup, dead square or it'll be a nightmare. If you don't have a disc yet, get one from Rob Fink, he machines them so they're true and even bevels the face.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
hobbit,

I use a homemade disk sander for cleaning up my flat ground blades. My disk is covered with a rubber disk onto which I attach sheets of wet/dry sandpaper. The rubber pad keeps the chatter to a minimum and gives me a much smoother finish. You will want to keep the RPM's down low on a setup like mine. It tends to build up a lot of heat(not too much though).

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Barry
Jones Knives
"NEW Knives"
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=5922856
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
The disc I have is pretty flat but I was going to attach a piece of 3/8" micarta to it with epoxy and a few small wood screws, then just round the edges a bit. Almost all of the knives I make have a blade length of less than 4 1/2" so I think a 9" disc should be big enough. I was thinking of bringing the disc RPM down to about 600rpm, will this be slow enough? Will the micarta be too hard a surface?

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Just because you're not paraniod doesn't mean they're not out to get you
 
Hobbit, I should start by saying I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just trying to 'visualize'.

It seems to me that Micarta would start real flat but is probably soft enough that it wouldn't wear too well. Also, wouldn't it warp under heat? Maybe that's not an issue at 600 RPM.

Just thinking out loud. Let us know how it works.

Rob!



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
If you use a piece of 3/4 plywood with a layer of formica over top you will have a great working surface. You will also find this also eliminates vibrations.I cut the
circles close glued this on to the face plate
tried to round the wood to the face plate using my belt grinder and then tried to balance the works simply by spining the disc
free hand finding the heavy spot if it stops
more than once in the same spot [you mark the down side which of course is the heavy side ] then belt sand off the edge a little more - use the table of course on your belt grinder to help . Repeat . Make small changes. This really does work easy and will give you agreat working disc. I have mounted my discs directly to the motor just with a stub shaft you can buy at most handware stores-this bolts through the center of the disc. I have 2 of these that work just fine both turn at 1725 r.p.m. sure hopes this helps you the easy way!

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hobbit,

My disk sander runs at 1500 RPM's. I have sanded up to 800 grit with it. I would think that 600 RPM's would be slow enough to get a high polish without much heat build up. You could go higher if you want.

Let me know how the setup works.



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Barry
Jones Knives
"NEW Knives"
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=5922856
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
I had a piece of micarta on a flat platen it wears unevenly and then needs to be replaced. If you have a lot of micarta I guess it's okay. I picked up the rubber trick from Barry Jones works real good.

I got the rubber from a company that makes gaskets.



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Sola Fide
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to try using the rubber disc if I can find one and see how things go with just using 1720rpm. If it works it would save a lot of trouble setting up pulleys to gear the speed down. All the advice is really appreciated. Thanks
 
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