Has or is anyone running a Jet J - 4002 1x42 combo machine?

[Signalprick]

I'm wondering if anyone who happens to read this and has ever used or currently has a Jet J-J4002 1x42 they are using? I'm nearly ready to pull the trigger on this machine. I'll be using it for slipjoint recovering, so shaping handle material, sanding pins and bolsters and occasionally flushing up backsprings and liners. Anyway my main question here is are you able to use that top wheel as a contact wheel for sanding concave surfaces? Attached is a crappy pic. This wheel looks like smooth aluminum. Thoughts?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I don't have one, but looked up the specs. The top wheel is the tracking wheel. I doubt it would be a good place to grind on. That would likely cause the belt to move left or right as you apply pressure.
However, with the safety cover removed and gentle pressure, you could gently sand down handle material to fit any arc larger than the wheel diameter.
The biggest issue with most 1" sanders/grinders is the speed. Some run pretty fast for doing delicate work and either take off too much material too fast, or burn delicate handle materials like stag and hard woods. That model runs at 3000SFPM.

 

[Signalprick]

I don't have one, but looked up the specs. The top wheel is the tracking wheel. I doubt it would be a good place to grind on. That would likely cause the belt to move left or right as you apply pressure.
However, with the safety cover removed and gentle pressure, you could gently sand down handle material to fit any arc larger than the wheel diameter.
The biggest issue with most 1" sanders/grinders is the speed. Some run pretty fast for doing delicate work and either take off too much material too fast, or burn delicate handle materials like stag and hard woods. That model runs at 3000SFPM.

Understood. Don't laugh, I've actually been using one of those mini sanders from Banggood with really good success just no contact wheel option in it's current configuration. As far as the contact wheel is concerned I'm considering buying a 70mm skateboard wheel and turning that little banggood into a dedicated contact wheel sander. But then I need a standard machine with a flat platen. I completely get what your saying about the belt speed and my little Chinese does have a vfd which makes it easier to use to be honest. So yes a single speed machine is my other concern. Are there any quality machines out there in the $250 price range that will run variable speed out of the box?

 

[Signalprick]

Maybe this?

 

[Signalprick]

Alright, so it's probably going to be a short conversation but I'm glad I asked the questions and thank you Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith for helping me refocus. I know I can easily convert my cheapo little Chinese 1x21 into a dedicated contact wheel sander and it has variable speed. Also that Rikon pictured above will probably be better than just fine for what I'll be doing with it.

**UPDATE** I ended up getting the Grizzly G0864 which is basically the equivalent to the Rikon above.

 

[CasePeanut]

Alright, so it's probably going to be a short conversation but I'm glad I asked the questions and thank you Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith for helping me refocus. I know I can easily convert my cheapo little Chinese 1x21 into a dedicated contact wheel sander and it has variable speed. Also that Rikon pictured above will probably be better than just fine for what I'll be doing with it.

**UPDATE** I ended up getting the Grizzly G0864 which is basically the equivalent to the Rikon above.

That looks like a good option. Curious to hear how it works out!

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 1246365 On my Delta Rockwell 1X42 belt grinder, I replaced the drive pulley with a contact wheel and cut away part of the base plate for better access. The upper (idler) wheel is hard and crowned. It gives a bumpy ride.