1 HP 2" Belt Sander

[tekcraft]

I've been wanting a 2" belt sander for some time but most on the market are flimsy, low HP, and tracking is always needing to be adjusted. I found some 1 HP flange mount motors at https://www.surpluscenter.com for under $50 so I designed around them. I had some scrap 1/4" plate and 3" x 3/8" angle so this is what I ended up with.



This is the "mule" build that I gave to a friend who turned the wheels. (I am without a lathe right now and looking for one.) With The 1 HP motor, this sander can really remove metal fast.



I will post more detailed photos later of the sander I kept, and the stand that I built for it.

[Chadboye]

What size belt are you using?

[tekcraft]

I'm using the 2"x 48" belt size which is available from many suppliers.

[Chadboye]

How do you determine how far the wheels are to be spaced apart for the size of belt you choose to use?

[tekcraft]

My wheels were both grooved to the same dia of 3.75". The circumference of that dia =3.75 x 3.1416 (Pi) = 12.81" So a 48" belt - 12.81 = 35.19" That divided by 2 = 17.6" the center-to-center distance.
I used a 1" OD x 4" long spring inside the 1.25 sq tube to get the proper belt tension. For a 2" wide belt 3M recommends 40-50 lbs of force. If you know the spring rate, you can then determine how much it must be compressed to get the right belt tension. I designed around this compressed spring length but also put an adjusting screw under it so someday as the spring ages my grandkids can tighten it up.

Another option if you already have your wheels & belt is to have someone hold the belt tight with the wheels and then measure the center-to-center distance.

Happy building !

[Chadboye]

Thanks so much, that really helps me alot!! I really want to build a 2x72 grinder but I'm thinking that a 2x48 like yours would be alot better for me right now, plus I'm very limited on space in my tiny little shop in my basement.

[DURTBAG]

awesome!!!

[wizard69]

Thanks so much, that really helps me alot!! I really want to build a 2x72 grinder but I'm thinking that a 2x48 like yours would be alot better for me right now, plus I'm very limited on space in my tiny little shop in my basement.

You can do the same general layout for a 2x72. The distance between centers becomes something less than 36”, depending of course on your roller diameters. Use larger diameter rollers to get better belt traction and better tracking.

like you shop space is limited at the moment! So I’ve been thinking of going this route for a simple belt grinder. I bought a 1x72 grizzly that isn’t worth the time and money invested in it which is a motivator here. Most shops have the vertical space to handle something 36” tall. The other advantage of a 72” belt I’d that the work table can be placed above the motor and you still have room for a backer and slack ( somewhat) belt grinding.

if I go this route the other advantage is that a more complex grinder would likely use the same belts. In any event just some ideas to chew on.

[tekcraft]

Thanks for the positive comments. I don't know what advantage having a 72" belt would give. The 48" belt is a lot less expensive and I have a solid backer and plenty of slack for edge deburring.
Good luck with your build.

[Tuomas]

Neat work! It sure looks pretty.

... I designed around this compressed spring length but also put an adjusting screw under it so someday as the spring ages my grandkids can tighten it up.

I think that build will last for your grand- grandkids too.