Thread: Mastercraft 4" belt sander

Originally Posted by RezDog

Sounds like my kind of shop. One of the things about buying from Canadian Tire is the have a very good return policy. If you can break it within a year thy will take it back.

They stand behind all their tools with amazing customer service. Always a huge fan of master craft.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

They stand behind all their tools with amazing customer service. Always a huge fan of master craft.

+1, but I am sad that their auto section has shrank so much over the years. Inevitable I guess, but it's not what it was before the internet. Used to carry EVERYTHING one could need for car repairs. Lend tool program, good mechanics, not mere technicians, and all the rest..

I have a Ryobi version that I purchased from Home Depot years ago. It's been a good sander & I have used it roughing out razors and in the beginning of my knife making. I can hear the cogs getting sloppy and I expect it to "swarm" any day...but it's earned it's keep.

I bought this Craftsman used for $30 and modified it for lower speed.

This is the sander I built. Used a keyboard sliding tray mechanism flipped upside down as the linear support for the rear roller. Gives me the ability to slide between 30-72" belts.
Driven by a dc motor and a lesson controller.
Can change the front wheel to different dia's and width to accommodate 2-4" wide belts as. Shown testing a 1" 400 grit belt, so it can run those too.
Also made that adjustable UHMW support for mid belt support, but can drop it out of the way for when I'm working on the insides of one piece scales, like I am now.

The tension is maintained and controlled by that jackscrew with the black knob on it.

Thanks. About to start acquiring some pwoer tools. This will be in my consideration.

Been working on my 7 day set so figured I'd shoot a little video of the rig in operation so those considering building their own had some visual aids.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Been working on my 7 day set so figured I'd shoot a little video of the rig in operation so those considering building their own had some visual aids.
Cheers.

Thanks for showing "slack belt" work! It is the handiest thing for outside contouring! One inch or wider does the job simply and smoothly where a solid diameter wheel is iffy.Works well for "smiley" spines also.
~Richard
PS, Just a thought...The sheet metal backed 4" belt sanders do not do a perfect flat. They, depending upon the manufacturing process may be high or low longitudinally. Howsomever I have used mine for years and it does all I have needed. A one inch belt sander is handy also. I do not grind blades.

Those things are generally only useful for light grinding, and they will wear noticeably.
But the thing is: they're very cheap. If you use them to make scales for a while and things like that, you can save up for a better grinder and upgrade as you go along.

Just s little bump. It's on sale again until the 11th $99.99 regular $199.99.

I picked one up for general wood work. I've got some boxes to make for my stones. It's a great starter sander. I have no experience with one but such is life and we live and learn.