stroke sander

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>; <mpt@talklist.com>
Sent: January 18, 2002 8:28 AM
Subject: stroke sander


> OK, call me nuts but I'm actually considering a stroke sander. I'd like
> to ask a few questions about it. I found a used one for $900. It is a
> Boise Crane. Is that a good name? the belt size is 169" x 6" . Is that a
> normal size?

That's a bit small. The Grizzly G5394 is 6" x 186". Our SCM MiniMax is 6" x
271"

>
> It has a sliding table. Is that desirable?

It's normal, but not desirable. The SCM has a sliding belt system. It's
considerably easier to control both the hand platen and the in-out motion of
the belt with one hand (or two hands, but they're in the same place) than it
is to control the hand platen with one hand and the in-out motion of the
table with the other. That has always struck me as being something like
rubbing your stomach and your head at the same time.

Besides, you're going to want to add an extension to the table. Tougher to
do this with a sliding table.

I'm not sure who makes it, but I've seen at least one small-shop machine set
up this way. I'll take a look.



> The sliding part
> is hand activated not machine driven. Normal?

Yes.

>
> I could swear that I've
> seen manufacturers use this machine as a finishing tool to polish the
> finished piece. Am I dreaming?

No. We've looked into it but haven't used ours this way yet. Belts are hard
to find. We were able to get one belt with plastic wool on a cloth back, but
the plastic wool was so aggressive (it was the hard, abrasive, kind) it was
unusable. They are available, finding a source might be difficult.


>
> The outfit I might be buying it from
> cannot find a source for cloth type belts. It would be a great deal
> easier to make this decision if it could also be used in a finishing
> process. It has a 1 1/2 hp 220 v 3 ph motor. Again .... normal?

Typical, though not necessarily normal. Most new machines come with
single-phase motors until you get into the really big stuff. Or at least,
you'll be given the option. In this case, unless you have 3 ph power coming
to your house, you'll either need to replace the motor--and this might be
difficult--or you'll need to come up with an adaptor of some sort. These are
available--check the ads in the common woodworking magazines--but are some
pricey. Several hundred at a minimum.


>
> It is a
> fairly old unit and Boise crane as a company no longer exists. The
> outfit tells me they still have parts and judging from their shop, I
> believe it.

Old tools can be wonderful things, indeed. Solid construction, great
bearings, etc. And, normally, I'd lean toward buying old rather than new. In
this case, however, I'd suggest you keep on looking. The thing is a bit
small, capacity wise. And then there is the problem of rubbing your stomach
and your head at the same time. If you can do this well, then go for it.

Del