stroke sander

[Greg Newell]

Del,
    Thank you soooo much for your input on this. I'm trying to save myself some
money which is why i looked at this $900 used one this morning. It's clear that
there is more to consider. If I buy the wrong one it could cost me more than I
think I'm saving. Thanks again!!

Greg

Delwin D Fandrich wrote:

> ----- 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

--
Greg Newell
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net