General 3hp Dual 24" Drum Sander

[howard jones]

I am new to this site and I hope you can help me. I have owned this sander for over 10 years and the switch for the conveyor motor is not working. Looks like replacement parts are impossible to find. So I would appreciate help with the following - I am thinking of wiring in a new variable speed switch that I will connect to a separate 15amp supply line. The magnetic switch that powers the drums works ok. Where I would like help with is first is this a workable idea and if so, where could I find a proper switch for the conveyor motor which is 1/4 hp. Not sure if the motor is ac or dc. Thanks for the help this is a very important machine in my shop and not having it is creating a huge amount of excess labor with orbital sanding.

[Mike Kees]

Howard,that same basic machine is still built and sold under at least three names. Busy bee tools or Craftex. King tools or KMS tools import this sander. They all have websites online ,you would probably be able to order the switch from all of them.

[John TenEyck]

That switch failed in my likely identical General International model. I replaced it with this switch and it fit perfectly and works fine:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2KD4AI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also found that the you don't need to turn the switch on/off. If I leave it in the on position the conveyor starts and stops when I turn on the main power switch. By leaving the switch in the on position I doubt it will ever fail again.

John

[ed vitanovec]

Hello,

I had a Woodtek dual drum sander, looks to be the same as your General. Here is a link to Woodworkers supply, they have parts that may work for you.

https://woodworker.com/25-dual-drum-sander-3hp-1ph-mssu-109-352.asp