My Favorite Power Tool

[Majorjoel]

Back in the early 70's my Father in law gave me his old slack belt sander that was made by his father. I put it in my garage shop (at the time) and used it only a handful of times for wood working projects. When I got bit by the muzzle loader building bug years later, I found the old relic to be indispensable for many many chores! It takes a 1" by 41" sand paper belt that I found cheap in quanity at a hardware closing some time back. 

[J. Talbert]

I have a commercially made 1 x 42" belt grinder that I use a ton. The belts change in 10 seconds, and are available in any grit you need, including 3M scotchbrite.
I don't even have a conventional grinding wheel.

Jeff

[P.W.Berkuta]

OH - I do see a idea forming here  --- how do you "track" the belt in the center of the wheel?

[Majorjoel]

Paul, the belt is held in place by a tension spring and kept centered and safe by the attached retainer arm on the top roller pulley. There is a notch on the backside. I will get a close up picture of that area later. I do like all of the different grits available. I will even dress a very worn out belt with jewlers rougue and use as a polisher.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Joel, please do me a favour and remove the flanelette cloth from the work area.  I can see it getting involved in the belt and start whipping around your head, picking up tools and parts like a cyclone before you can reach the switch to turn it off.

A belt grinder is one of my most useful power tools as well.  Mine is a 6" x 48" with a solid back and a shelf, and a 10" disc on the end of the motor.  For removing file or saw marks, shaping metal, sharpening, it is indispensable.  I occasionally use the back which is traveling upwards, as a slack sander.  A 1" sander like yours will do a lot of work.  You might consider building a plate for backing the belt...think it's called a patten.  Then you can grind square and flat.

[bluenoser]

The backing plate is called a platen.

I have an old 1" by 42" belt sander that I picked up at a flea market a few years back.  Prior to that, I used a bench grinder exclusively.  I rarely use the bench grinder now.  The belts are available in grits ranging from about 40 right down to 9 micron.  I also have a leather belt for final polishing or stropping.

I find there is less risk of over heating the workpiece with the belt sander.  To further reduce the risk when sharpening or reshaping tools, I slowed the belt down a little by reversing the pulleys, which were just slightly different in size.  Since the sander is now a little less aggressive, it is easier to control the cut.  It is also much more flexible than a grinder.

Now that I have used a belt sander, I wouldn't be without one!   

[bluenoser]

Captjoel,

The belt tracking is usually adjusted by very slightly changing the angle of the idler wheel, which is crowned.  I suggest you take a look to see if there is some sort of adjustment mechanism.  The mechanism should be able to raise or lower one end of the shaft.  It seems to me, the retaining bar will quickly wear the side off your belts.

Laurie

[Bill-52]

I read Captjoel's initial post with a different perspective -- that of using a tool made by his father-in-law's father.

One of the unexpected pleasures I've had in building a rifle is using tools from my grandfather passed on to me by my father.  Chisels, files, wrenches & braces that have laid unused for years have been cleaned & restored.  In many cases they're better than the modern day replacement.  I get a thrill every time I use them.

Bill

(Hope this isn't hijacking -- certainly, not intended)

[The other DWS]

I've had one for 30 years or so,  bought it from DixieGW.   used it to make all kinds of stuff.    Just a tip.  If you use it with metals much ---- shop vac it frequently.    I use mine for remodeling AlMag alloy bow risers, knives, gun work and all sorts of other projects  really great tool.  But if one forgets to clean up, and then starts working on a bit of iron or steel you can get a nasty little Thermite fire going in quick order.  and if you have a bit of wood dust and some antler or horn from working on knife handles it gets real ugly smelling to boot.  So keep it clean.
FWIW    I usually have a couple magnets stuck to my grinders to pick up steel and iron grindings, doesn't get them all but it collects a lot of them.  I also use magnets to help clean up when draw filing barrels and other metal gun parts to keep filings out of the wood grain.

[Joe Stein]

Kinda gettin away from the original post, but:
"I also use magnets to help clean up when draw filing barrels and other metal gun parts to keep filings out of the wood grain."
If you put the magnet in a plastic bag when you do this, when you are done, you can turn the bag inside out as you take it off and the filings will be inside it, not stuck all over your magnet.

[John Archer]

Kinda gettin away from the original post, but:
"I also use magnets to help clean up when draw filing barrels and other metal gun parts to keep filings out of the wood grain."
If you put the magnet in a plastic bag when you do this, when you are done, you can turn the bag inside out as you take it off and the filings will be inside it, not stuck all over your magnet.

Now that's a great tip!

John.

[Majorjoel]

Great info and tips on using magnets! Taylor, I will never operate the machinery with that old towel in place. Was using it to pad a finished stock while waxing. It is time to do a little spring cleaning in the shop!  I appreciate your concern though. By the way, I noticed a member 3 attached to your moniker? I know the member 2's are from the museum section, what gives with the 3?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

It must be the identification method for the moderators of the new forum, which is a secret, so don't tell anyone.

[Joe Stein]

Kinda gettin away from the original post, but:
"I also use magnets to help clean up when draw filing barrels and other metal gun parts to keep filings out of the wood grain."
If you put the magnet in a plastic bag when you do this, when you are done, you can turn the bag inside out as you take it off and the filings will be inside it, not stuck all over your magnet.

Now that's a great tip!

John.

I can't take credit for it.  I learned it from my father.

[Old Ford2]

Thanks for the tip on magnets for cleanup.
I teach machine shop, and of course clean up is always an issue.
The Magnet/ Plastic bag is a great idea.
Old Ford

[smallpatch]

Obviously, this machine is old and outdate.  You MUST throw it out.  It has no guards, safety devices, or warning labels.  No UL, or OSHA stickers.  I'll bet it doesn't even have a guarded power switch!

Please send it to me, and I will dispose of it properly!!

[Majorjoel]

Dane, all of my best tools are old and out of date! I use a ban saw that my grandfather left me when he passed back in '89 at 101 yrs of age. It is one solid Sears floor model he picked up sometime in the 50's. He also left me a big old scroll saw. It is pretty nostalgic to use these tools! I can still almost smell the essence of ole "Daddypaw" Kool cigarettes and Red Label scotch!

[g.pennell]

Capt Joel, same here.  Most of my tools I inherited from my wood working grandfather and father...I shared shop space with my dad until his death last year, my gunshop in one end of the basement and his woodworking tools in the other.  Using them still brings back a lot of good memories.
 
I even have parts of my great-grandfather's forge, and his anvil, and a few tools that I hope to get back into use sometime this Spring.  Here in the mountains nothing is ever thrown away...

Greg