Powermatic 30 sander restoration

[Will Phillips]

Hi Fellow Woodworkers;

2nd post here - looks like a good community. I just picked up a PM 30 and looking for some feedback. It's currently 3ph - motor looks fairly new. I couldn't test it and I don't have 3ph or a converter. Weighing the choices of replacing the motor with a 1ph 220 or just buying a converter. I dont know anything about these - have 220 in my garage and several machines running on it. Also, it seems that I am missing a couple of fences for the belt. Took these pics just before tearing it down. Bag and blower look good, bearings feel fine and sheet metal is in pretty good shape. Need to decide how to power it before I send it off to sandblast - might need to fill some holes in the cabinet. Also, hearing about graphite paper (??) to put attach to the belt platen - is this right where do source this? Plan is to repaint, considering replacing bearings while I have it apart, power it up and add the missing items. Been looking for a deco base Delta for yrs., this came along and I think it will be sweet once I finish it up. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

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[Keith Weber]

I have a phase converter. You could ship the sander to me and I'll check it out for you!

Keith

[Matt Meiser]

I restored one very similar once. Then I got an edge sander and sold it. You really don't NEED a 1HP motor. I can't remember if mine was 1/2 or 3/4 but it had plenty of power. You technically aren't missing any fences. The fence from the guard can be moved to the belt with 2 bolts. There was an optional fence that bolts to the boss on the middle side of the belt too--very hard to find. I bought a whole second junker sander to get a second table, but sold the thing before I ever got the second table restored. There's supposed to be a guard piece covering the top idler. Mine had a solid guard but later they made that part removable. It wouldn't be terribly hard to fabricate.

The only hard part about replacing bearings was getting the drums off. I can't even remember how I did it but you can't pry on them.

Looks like yours isn't too cut up from mis-tracked belts. I had to completely rebuild the side of the belt guard on mine!

[Steve Kohn]

I'm in the process of restoring the exact same machine except mine has the sawdust filter/collection system in the base and is the yellow 30B. Mine was from a school that sold off their industrial arts equipment. Unfortunately it was stored outside before it was sold. So now it's a basket case since I've pulled it totally apart and am removing all the rust and paint.

My machine is powered by a 3 phase 1.5 HP motor. I've bought a freq. drive to run it off of 110V single phase. It gives you the extra advantage of making the sander variable speed. This is important with woodworking to avoid burning the material. At least that's the plan. Check back in about 3 months when I get the sander working again.

Matt, thanks for the confirmation on the single table being able to be moved from disk to belt. That wasn't intuitively obvious to me. My plan was to fabricate and bolt on a table for the belt. I may still do that.....or look for a junker machine to buy like you did. Also, my belt guard is badly grooved and even cut thru with mistracking belts. I'll need to have the guard filled with welding.

Oh and BTW my 30B cost me $50. The freq. drive was $100.

[Kirk Poore]

Looks like a mid-60's model to me--a little newer than my '63. The belt fence is rare--don't expect to find one without a long search. 1 hp is the minimum size motor I'd go with--that's what I have on mine. A 1 hp VFD will be cheaper than a new 1 hp motor, but if you can get a used motor you'd be OK. The bearings are tough to get out--you'll need a shop press, plus a big puller for the drums. I think you can get the graphite canvas from McMaster Carr (I got mine from another guy).

Kirk

[Sam Layton]

Will,

Welcome to the Creek. I have a Vega edge sander that needed new graphite canvas. I purchased mine form Vega. Mine looks wide enough, and I know it is long enough. Just make sure of the width. If I remember right, I think it was about $40.00. Looking forward to following your project.

Sam

[Will Phillips]

I have a phase converter. You could ship the sander to me and I'll check it out for you!

Keith

Geez, wouldn't it be alot easier (for me anyway) if you sent the phase converter to me - just sayin'

[Carroll Courtney]

I purchase my graprite w/canvas backing from McMaster-Carr but I could not find it again on their website.But here is the same product from another place http://www.abrasivesupply.com/6_Wide_Graphite_Coated_Canvas_450_Friction_Figh_p/graphite.htm It will give alittle cushing under the sanding paper,not a problem for me(I use contact cement to apply it)----Carroll

[Steve Kohn]

I purchase my graprite w/canvas backing from McMaster-Carr but I could not find it again on their website.But here is the same product from another place http://www.abrasivesupply.com/6_Wide_Graphite_Coated_Canvas_450_Friction_Figh_p/graphite.htm It will give alittle cushing under the sanding paper,not a problem for me(I use contact cement to apply it)----Carroll



It's sold by the yard. Anyone want to split an order?

[Will Phillips]

Good info! And thanks for the welcome. I did find the graphite cloth - here- http://www.stockroomsupply.ca/shop/graphite-cloth-3.html - at a reasonable price. For clarification is a 1966 machine and has the blower / dust bag in the base. The tubes are all there with working baffles... should be a straightfoward project.

Will

[Anthony Diodati]

Good info! And thanks for the welcome. I did find the graphite cloth - here- http://www.stockroomsupply.ca/shop/graphite-cloth-3.html - at a reasonable price. For clarification is a 1966 machine and has the blower / dust bag in the base. The tubes are all there with working baffles... should be a straightfoward project.

Will
where? I searched graphite cloth, and got 0 results.

[Anthony Diodati]

Steve what phase converter did you end up with?
A very well respected man in the repair field feels the variable speed is not needed, But IDK it may be nice to have; you say it runs off 110 Volt input? I have a 110 volt unit on me oliver wood lathe. it is the Teco HV series, 101 I think. I got is as a package deal, Motor/Vfd.
But I really like the variable speed option, and of course, I added a spdt switch to give me the reverse option.
Does a VFD have to be rated for 1.5 to use on a 1.5HP motor, or can you use a 1 HP rated VFD? Or would you only be able to get a 2.0 HP rated VFD for that application?
You did not follow up on your post.......................lol
We all like pictures, tool porn if you will..................lol
Oh BTW you suck, you got a heck of a deal on your sander. I had to give like $280.00 for mine.
Post some up.
Thanks,
Tony


I'm in the process of restoring the exact same machine except mine has the sawdust filter/collection system in the base and is the yellow 30B. Mine was from a school that sold off their industrial arts equipment. Unfortunately it was stored outside before it was sold. So now it's a basket case since I've pulled it totally apart and am removing all the rust and paint.

My machine is powered by a 3 phase 1.5 HP motor. I've bought a freq. drive to run it off of 110V single phase. It gives you the extra advantage of making the sander variable speed. This is important with woodworking to avoid burning the material. At least that's the plan. Check back in about 3 months when I get the sander working again.

Matt, thanks for the confirmation on the single table being able to be moved from disk to belt. That wasn't intuitively obvious to me. My plan was to fabricate and bolt on a table for the belt. I may still do that.....or look for a junker machine to buy like you did. Also, my belt guard is badly grooved and even cut thru with mistracking belts. I'll need to have the guard filled with welding.

Oh and BTW my 30B cost me $50. The freq. drive was $100.