disc sander?

W

willy m

Joined
Nov 27, 2007
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hey guys, ive been watching nick wheeler's totally awesome thread. i see he uses a disc sander frequently.in other threads iv seen where people talk about using them. so ive been trying to decide if its worth spending some cash and getting one. i have a 6" thats on my 4by36 and i do use it but not so much on the blade areas as i do on the hardware and handles.would you please tell me what all you are using them for? and what size do you recomend? thanks alot,willy.:D
 
i grind my knives on a disc sander and use my belt sander to smooth out the lines. i use a 9" sander that i made myself. its easier to grind a bevel on a disc sander in my opinion than using a platen. i mounted mine on a high speed buffer that i fixed up with a smooth end shaft so i can switch between left and right side grinding. i can run it from under 800 rpm up to 15.000+ rpm. i also use it to help profile out my blades making edges square.
 
I also use a disc sander frequently as I find I can get things flattened easier on the disc grinder then using a platen on a belt grinder. This includes flattening scales and flattening the blade blanks and ricassos. Every now and then I use it for other things to. It's great for putting accurate angles on scales (a mill might be a little more accurate but at a much much higher cost and you've got to know what you are doing). I have a 9" as well but I'm thinking of upgrading to the 12" grizzly one because I tend to use it more and more often. At the price I think it can be a valuable addition to anyone's array of tools.
 
I have a really nice disk grinder, but have obviously been underutilizing it...
 
I just got a 1x42 inch belt sander from Delts, I thought I would get little use out of the disk portion so I am glad to hear that I can use it for shaping steel. Thanks for the info!
 
I use a Disc exclusively. I do not even own a belt sander. I can see the benefits of a belt but just have not built one yet.. Maybe after Blade. My discs have evolved from 1/2hp 1760rpm reversable single speed to a 1hp DC variable speed to a 1hp 3ph with a VFD. The 3ph is the best of the best. More control and consistent torque at lower rpm. The disc is a 9" so I can use inexpensive paper rather than the precut discs. In my opinion definitely get one. It makes grinding flat grinds easier.

Chuck
 
I use mine for making sure the tang is flat after tapering, making sure the blade is flat (on a large flat ground bowie), cleaning up the ricasso area and flattening folder blanks.
 
I have a 12" Delta that I used to use all the time for dovetailing bolsters and things like that.

But what I REALLY use... is my 9" variable speed. And if you're going to buy one, don't do it unless you can get a reversible.

I grind my bevels on the Burr King or KMG, but then go to the disc between each belt for a quick pass to make sure everything is flat.

If you are really anal about things being centered, in line, and straight, then it's hard to beat the foundation work you can do with a disc.

I have an AC variable now... but Chuck is right... a 3phase with VFD is the way to go. I will probably just buy one from Rob Frink.

I use mine turned way up with the ceramic discs because that's how they cut best, but when it comes time to getting close to finish work I turn it WAY down.

With practice, you can get right up into a very sharp plunge cut and NOT grind past the spine of the blade.

I also use mine for flattening handle material.

I did have one for a couple years and never really used it. I just couldn't get the hang of it. Finally I just kept at it and now I would hardly know what to do without it!
 
What manufacturers are recommended? I see Grizzly and Delta. What's the Yugo to the Rolls Royce, so to speak?
 
I have looked around for a variable speed reversible disc sander but everyone I have talked to has made it themself. Anyone know where you can actually just buy one?
 
if you cant find a reversible motor sander you can put a reversing switch on most electric motors that arent permanently corded. you can also get a double shaft arbor to mount a disc on like i have. i just posted picks of mine at my website if anyone wishes to see my setup.
 
wow!what a response to what i thought just might be a dumb question. im just learning to flat grind on my belt. every time i try to use the disc for something other than small hardware. i mess it up. i think i need a bigger disc and more practice!!ill keep watching for more ideas on this thread and try to find some more. thanks a pile,willy
 
Was using the 9" alum disk that came of the side of a 1 x 42 grizzly , just upgraded to a higher quality 9" disk that I picked up from K&G at the Vegas show... mounted it to a 1 1/2 HP 1725 rpm motor...love it ! would liked to have gone variable but the motor was new & FREE !!
 
Trugrit and Uncle AL both offer variable speed reversible disc grinders. willy m you probably need the face dressed 1 degree so it wont hit on both sides at same time when grinding. I made my own this summer with 1/2 inch steel disc faced with 1/8 rubber to soften the hit. Best thing we ever made other than pin press.
 
Here's my dual disc setup, 8"and both reversible.It's been a workhorse for about 15 years.Dave:)

fe56b611.jpg
 
by using what i call a guideclamp you can keep your grind start even. i have a pick of one at my website. makes grinding so much easier when grinding bevel's on a disc sander.
 
Willy M

Something that i haven't seen mentioned in this thread so far - a foot switch is often used with a disc sander.

It takes the skill out of hitting that disc square with your workpiece and not bouncing it all over.

Put your workpiece flat against the disc & turn it on & off with foot switch.

Take the workpiece away when the disc has stopped.

Such a simple idea-took me so long to learn
so I thought it worthwhile to pass on.


http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?&NETID=0050480123081725786&NTITEM=B1844
Steve
 
Steven Penner said:
Willy M

Something that i haven't seen mentioned in this thread so far - a foot switch is often used with a disc sander.

It takes the skill out of hitting that disc square with your workpiece and not bouncing it all over.

Put your workpiece flat against the disc & turn it on & off with foot switch.

Take the workpiece away when the disc has stopped.

Such a simple idea-took me so long to learn
so I thought it worthwhile to pass on.


http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?&NETID=0050480123081725786&NTITEM=B1844
Steve
Click to expand...

Good idea. I have a foot switch on one of my drill presses so I can use both hands. Its great.
 
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