Belt sander questions

[JoshEarl]

I'm considering buying a small belt sander, probably one that uses 1x30" belts. There is a model I'm looking at, made by Grizzly. It's around $60 plus shipping.

Has anyone used one of these table-top belt sanders? I don't really have the room or desire for a stand-alone unit, so it looks like this is a good option for me.

Are there belts available in grits finer than 400? Or do you go to a buffer after the belt sander?

As a side note, it's funny to note the differences between woodworking and finishing metal when it comes to abrasives. In woodworking, 400-grit is "extra fine," but it's hard to find wet-dry sandpaper below that level for metal... The guys at the hardware store looked at me like I was nuts one time when I asked for 1000-grit sandpaper.

Thanks for the advice,
Josh

[Joe Chandler]

Josh, a 1x42 would do you better, IMO. It's easier to find belts for it, and in finer grits. A lot of it would depend on what you're doing with it. It wouldn't work for any kind of restoration on the blade, but would probably save you a lot of time roughing out scales. You can probably find a 1x42 for around the same money. Just my $.002.

[JoshEarl]

Thanks, Joe. I was hoping you'd chime in...

I didn't realize that size existed... I'm off to Google it...

Josh

[Kyle76]

I've got an old electric motor I've been saving to make a grinder/buffer/sander. Anyone know where I can get collets, wheels and other supplies for such a project?

[JoshEarl]

Joe,

I found a couple of different models of 1x42 sanders. They're a little more but not bad--maybe $130 or so.

But I'm not seeing sanding belts above 320 or 400... Care to share a source?

Josh

[Mike Blue]

Josh, try this site. Pop's a good fellow, and has good stuff. 3M belts down to 5 microns will be finer than 400 grit.

http://www.popsknifesupplies.com/index.html

Kyle:

try here, http://www.jantzsupply.com/cartease/search-products.cfm

or, http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/belt_sanders.asp

There are Kalamazoo setups that do not have motors so you can save some money.

For those with the typical buffer/two stone wheel grinders, look into the Multitool. This unit will replace one of the wheels and gives both disk and belt surfaces.

http://www.ausmultitool.com/Item/MT362TG.htm

Look to autobody supply shops for really fine sandpapers. Occasionally the high end woodworking shops will have stuff but not very often in my experience.

[Joe Chandler]

Joe,

I found a couple of different models of 1x42 sanders. They're a little more but not bad--maybe $130 or so.

But I'm not seeing sanding belts above 320 or 400... Care to share a source?

Josh

Go to supergrit.com or trugrit.com. I believe they have those belts up to 800. (Mike's source works, too. )

[jimmyray]

Kyle,

To answer your question about a DIY sander, I believe Woodcraft sells the parts you're looking for (at least some of them). Check out http://www.woodcraft.com