belt/disc sander recommendation

[Kevin Groenke]

We have a Delta 31-278 Sanding Center, 6x48belt/12"disc sander which is in dire need of replacement. A non oem 2hp motor has been retrofitted, a mag switch installed, the disc has been welded on, the gap is now 1/8"+ and we've milled all the travel we can into the table: parts are no longer available. The machine has given about all it's got.

86563

The strengths of this machine are: fairly effective dust collection (w/1 out of the way hose), EZ belt changes, big disc table w/circle sanding attachment. It would be a drag to spend $1K+ for a downgrade on any of these points.

I'm in a design college student shop where sanders are the GO TO machine more often than they should be, so be it. We also have edge, drum, sponge and spindle sanders, but the belt/disc is probably used the most.

There seem to be far fewer of these to choose from than there were in the past and all have their shortcomings. I've considered the Grizzly, Jet, Rikon, Shop Fox, General Int. units but they just will not be tough enough for daily student use.

The machines I'm considering are:

PM 31A ~$900
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=60003
really cheezy table mount, ?able dust collection

Delta 31-300 ~$800
http://www.cpowoodworking.com/sanders/31-300.html
underpowered?, cheap open base, NEW delta quality

General 100-5 ~$5025 (yes really)
http://www.general.ca/machines/gen/sanders/100_4578.jpg
16" disc, 6x60 belt, big arn, $5K:eek:

Any comments on these specific models?
Any other recommendations?

Am I missing something?

Thanks
-kg

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[Lance Norris]

Im surprised you dont feel the units from Jet would hold up. I have the open stand 9" disc 6x48" belt and its been excellent for the last several years. Step up to the unit with 12" disc/closed stand and you get 1-1/2 horsepower and the durability of the solid stand. If anyone abuses it, detention.

[Doug Shepard]

I'm just bumming that parts are no longer available for the sanding center. I've got that same unit and think I need to repair or replace the tracking adjustment. Shoot.

[Bruce Page]

Kevin, I have one of the older Delta sanders, model 52-611 that has been bullet proof. It has a very capable 1½ hp motor and great dust collection. Perhaps you could find a good used one. You’d be giving up the circle attachment but it’s American made.

[Dave Lehnert]

Just a thought. I have a shopsmith and the variable speed feature is worth it's weight in gold. The belt sander http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/sand06~/beltsander.htm
is built well (and American made) The cast iron table can be mounted on the side to use like a edge sander. The disk sander http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/ (click on disk sander link) works like no other as you can move the disk to the wood.
For something very different look at this. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/sand06~/sn_conical_sanding.htm
and a video on it's use.
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS101/SS101_ConicaL_Sander.htm

You can find used Shopsmiths for little money on Craigs List or the like. The trend now is to cut the tubes and make a Mini Shopsmith for use like the above features.

[Dino Drosas]

I had the jet 12" disc/6x48 belt sander and replaced it with a Powermatic 20"disc sander.
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/10/thumbs/herron_2_008.jpg (http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showphoto.php?photo=14424)
It is amazing how well this sander performs and the degree to which it is accurate. The 12" disc was a toy compared to this beast. 3 hp and smooth as silk. After you turn this machine off, the disc continues to turn for over twenty minutes. The Powermatic is a bit pricey at retail but I found this on on Ebay new for less than 1000. I think that Laguna Tools has one of these for about 800. As for not having the belt portion - I have never missed it.

[jason lambert]

I would look at the Jets. I ordered a cheaper jet for around $400 b ut the better one around $800 looked really robust.

[Ray Newman]

I also have an older Delta model 52-611, which is an awesome piece of equipment. Too bad it, as well as the other US-made cast iron are no longer available.

[Joe Jensen]

I had the jet 12" disc/6x48 belt sander and replaced it with a Powermatic 20"disc sander.
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/10/thumbs/herron_2_008.jpg (http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showphoto.php?photo=14424)
It is amazing how well this sander performs and the degree to which it is accurate. The 12" disc was a toy compared to this beast. 3 hp and smooth as silk. After you turn this machine off, the disc continues to turn for over twenty minutes. The Powermatic is a bit pricey at retail but I found this on on Ebay new for less than 1000. I think that Laguna Tools has one of these for about 800. As for not having the belt portion - I have never missed it.

Was your unit a newer model? I have an old Dayton 12" disc with 6 by 48 belt, and I don't think it's had a belt on it for 10 years. Seems like the 20" discs would last a ton longer. Do you feel you get a lot of use from the discs? How much are they and where do you get them? Thanks...joe

[Jim Becker]

I have the Grizzly G1276 low speed version of this type of combo sander and it works quite well...when I use it which is rare for me. ('Shoulda bought an edge sander...) I feel that the Grizzly unit is a good value and the slower speed makes for more controllable shaping as well as less chance of burning.