Infeed/outfeed for drum sander/wide belt sander

[Jonathan Jung]

Hi all, am looking to solve a big problem I've always had in the shop, running big stuff though the sanders.

I have a 37" double head Supermax and a 37" SCMI widebelt sander. Running long, heavy, or awkward stuff through is not working well. Using the single roller support stands helps, but I'd need about 8 of them for full width slabs - 4 for infeed and 4 for outfeed. I know Biesse/Viet makes a wide belt sander whose head elevates, rather than the table, allowing a fixed infeed/outfeed. Very good design but very expensive.

There are the conveyor style supports, multi-head roller stands, and simple flat tables. I would need to be able to adjust them up/down to match the sander tables. I've wanted to run countertops through weighing 390lbs. The last bartop I ran through was maybe 180lbs, 10.5' long.

Any suggestions?

[Kevin Jenness]

You could use a hydraulic lift table like this https://www.mcmaster.com/hydraulic-lift-tables/long-tabletop-foot-operated-mobile-lift-tables/ There are a lot of options for these tables.

[Mark Bolton]

You could use a hydraulic lift table like this https://www.mcmaster.com/hydraulic-lift-tables/long-tabletop-foot-operated-mobile-lift-tables/ There are a lot of options for these tables.

Yep. Hydraulic lift tables, put them on casters if needed, and optionally make a nest-on panel that sits on top of the hydraulic table with either a bunch of flange mount or nested ball transfers. Simple, and can be stashed away or used for other stuff.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I bought this from Woodcraft ($200). Brand name Supermax. Although I don't think these will support your weight requirements

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i452/cedwards874/Woodworking/.highres/SuoermaxRollerSupport_zpsg1qacvtr.jpg

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i452/cedwards874/Woodworking/.highres/RollerStand1_zpsckq7aybm.jpg

[Mark Bolton]

I bought this from Woodcraft ($200). Brand name Supermax. Although I don't think these will support your weight requirements

Flex conveyors are handy and probably not an issue for sander with conveyor feed but rollers can be a bear having a lot of influence on the part (left/right) and can be a bit precarious if you need pretty critical height which would most definitely be the case with a sander.

[Jonathan Jung]

You could use a hydraulic lift table like this https://www.mcmaster.com/hydraulic-lift-tables/long-tabletop-foot-operated-mobile-lift-tables/ There are a lot of options for these tables.

That looks like an industrial version of the Felder Fat300, which I consider getting. Thanks for sharing another option.

I have a hydrualic lift cart on casters, actually. The trouble is, the concrete floor is not level, so inevitably one corner of the table is high by as much as 1/2". I could shim the thing, once in place in front of the sander, but then I'd need another lift cart for the outfeed, shimmed and ready.

461199

[Jonathan Jung]

Does this have much flex when extended?
I bought this from Woodcraft ($200). Brand name Supermax. Although I don't think these will support your weight requirements

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i452/cedwards874/Woodworking/.highres/SuoermaxRollerSupport_zpsg1qacvtr.jpg

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i452/cedwards874/Woodworking/.highres/RollerStand1_zpsckq7aybm.jpg

[ChrisA Edwards]

Does this have much flex when extended?

Not that I've noticed, each caster locks and each leg is height adjustable with a scale on it, but only with a thumbscrew. I've not had it slip, under weight, but I've not tried anything near as heavy as to what you are talking about. If this became an issue, I would probably drill holes in the inner legs to allow 1/4" pins to be used as positive stops for height.

They do have a little clasp that lets you link them to each other in line.

[Mark Bolton]

The trouble is, the concrete floor is not level, so inevitably one corner of the table is high by as much as 1/2". I could shim the thing, once in place in front of the sander, but then I'd need another lift cart for the outfeed, shimmed and ready.

Just clean the floor real well on the in and out feed of the sander and lay some thin strips down on the floor making a dam, roll on a good coat of bonding agent and drill up a couple pails of super loose floor leveler and float out a self-leveling area on each side the size of the cart. Remove the dam and trowel out a bit of a fillet on three sides so the cart rolls up on and carry on.

[glenn bradley]

I have a few shims magnetically attached to some of my supports. Even though I have hydraulic up and down control orienting for "level" is not built in. A shim is quick and easy and variable depending on the location where I need the support.

[Erik Loza]

That looks like an industrial version of the Felder Fat300, which I consider getting…

They’re $300 off list price right now, if you’re in the market. Every FAT owner I have, has told me they struggled with the initial cos but then were like “totally worth it” after using it.

Erik

[Jonathan Jung]

Erik, would I be able to call you and ask some questions?


They’re $300 off list price right now, if you’re in the market. Every FAT owner I have, has told me they struggled with the initial cos but then were like “totally worth it” after using it.

Erik

[Erik Loza]

Erik, would I be able to call you and ask some questions?

Jonathan, check your PM box.

Erik

[Jonathan Jung]

That's a good idea, except I'm in a rented commercial space. I would setup a dedicated space like this in my own building.
Just clean the floor real well on the in and out feed of the sander and lay some thin strips down on the floor making a dam, roll on a good coat of bonding agent and drill up a couple pails of super loose floor leveler and float out a self-leveling area on each side the size of the cart. Remove the dam and trowel out a bit of a fillet on three sides so the cart rolls up on and carry on.

[Jonathan Jung]

Are you putting the shims under the feet/casters, or between the top and the body/legs?
I have a few shims magnetically attached to some of my supports. Even though I have hydraulic up and down control orienting for "level" is not built in. A shim is quick and easy and variable depending on the location where I need the support.

[Mark Bolton]

That's a good idea, except I'm in a rented commercial space. I would setup a dedicated space like this in my own building.

Rental or owned matters not. I'd imagine any rental space allows modifications to suit the usage. "Will build to suit" is the name of the game. Beyond that, a thin skim coat of floor leveler is never going to effect the existing concrete surface and will likely fail or need to be refreshed (keep your left over leveler on a shelf somewhere) before you move on. Beyond that, when you leave, a few peck's with a hammer or sliding a chisel on a rotary hammer will pop the whole patch loose and its back to where it was.

Is what it is. Rental space and $40 of material and some scraps to level up the in/out feed, or hydraulic carts, fiddly wedges, engineering, design, fabrication, precarious leveling,...

Rental space? I'd go for the $40 buck option.