makeshift belt sander?

[hogsticker]

How difficult would it be to piece together a functional belt sander with a motor from a jugs pitching machine and a variable speed controller off of the same machine?The motor drives a solid rubber wheel fast enough to throw a ball at 90+mph so i imagine it can drive a 2 in wheel with ease. Thoughts? Comments?

 

[lonepine]

If I were trying to do it it would be very extremely difficult. If someone else were doing it would be easier.

- Paul Meske

 

[Mahoney]

Belt sanders are not exactly rocket science, take a look at the various belt grinders like the Coote, "no-weld", KMG, Bader, etc. It's not too hard to figure out the basic design principles. I think there are some sites with free or low cost plans available. If you are mechanically inclined and have a well equipped workshop and a lot of time on your hands, it should not be a problem...that said, there is also a case to be made for just buying a belt sander..., i.e., "would you rather spend your time making a knife, or a belt sander?" If the motor and speed controller are not both sealed or "dust tight" they won't last long with the grinding dust getting in them so if you are planning frequent or heavy use of the sander, it may not be worth your time building one around them...

 

[12345678910]

I checked their website, no info there on controller type, motor type, horsepower etc.

It may be a way to get a good price on a motor controller combo, but I expect it's a very low horsepower unit.



Same for that other thread about hot tub pump motors, it doesn't matter where it comes from, it matters what it is.

We need much more info to make a judgment, starting with the data plate on the motor and the model number of the controller.


I say build a grinder if you can.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

First, welcome to Bladeforums. I must say you have been around reading a long time before your first post.
Second, filling in your profile will help a lot. Some basic info about you, and where you are can often get a near-by smith to offer help.
It really helps when the question answer depends on your skill level and such. For instance, a question on building a grinder will get a different answer if you are a 16 year old student with no tools that if you were a 40 year old machinist with a full shop.

When asking a question, the more info you give, including photos whenever possible - the better answer we can return.
Questions about a knife build should give size, blade steel, blade shape, how you plan on making and heat treating it, and if possible - a sketch.


Now, about your planned grinder build.
The motor and controller may or may not be useful - The motor and controller are two of the more expensive items on a grinder, so you were smart to think of them first.
The wheel almost surely won't be the right type for a grinder.
Rebuilding a pitching machine into a grinder may be far harder and expensive than building a "Grinder in a Box" or similar grinder kit.

Let us know the HP, speed, frame type, and motor class that the motor plate gives ( a clear photo of the motor and one of the plate would be best). Also tell/show us the speed control type.

Welcome, again.