Linishing belt /Belt sander build.

[Barking Mat]

I'd never seen a bench grinder with a linishing attachememt. I like that...

Mine's 3ph.

 

[Exuptoy]

Best thing about having a linisher is it’s ability to give you a nice flat, square and perpendicular end. I typically use mine to tidy up square cuts on box section finish off a plank of wood etc. That relies on having a strong back plate which is at right angles to a strong feed table. Similarly, you might want to think about having a movable fence on the table to give you quick access to square ends. Remembering if you can’t make it perfect, make it adjustable.

no need to put too much of a crown on the drive wheel (or the idler) it should be quite a subtle feature or on a short belt it will lift off the back plate. Also the tracking doesn't need to move too far, just needs to be easy to adjust and stay where it’s put.

you don’t say if you’re having a spring loaded tensioner but tension is a very important part of the function. Too much tension and it might “rack” the rollers and throw off the tracking. Depending on the stiffness of the mount you might consider having the rollers braced at the “free” end.

300W is a bit slim for a belt sander so you won’t be hogging off material, guess that means you could be aiming for precision.
Since it’s double ended though, you could always fit a flywheel on the other end. A flywheel with a disk sander?

Plenty there to think about. Was gonna just make a free wheeling drum, sink 2 bearings in it then put a curve on the face then just put a shaft through with 2 flats and 2 x angle iron jacking posts to tension the belt against the flats. If anyone has a better idea I’m all ears. Nows the time to plan before I’ve finished building.

I think I’m gonna redo the side plate so it’s angled up or so the overhang comes to the front not the back so it can go.against the wall.

 

[123hotchef]

do you think it will have enough power? I stop my bench grinders sharpening drill bits

 

[Exuptoy]

I’m not gonna use it for ripping off material, just for finessing things and giving them a nice even look. If it works fine I’ll upscale it and make a dedicated one.

 

[Slowcoach]

Mr. Pete’s done a few linisher builds, have browse through his archive.

 

[Exuptoy]

Tonight’s hour was fleshing out the crowned drum for the freewheeling side.
Had to use my steady for the first time to cut it then set the compound slide at 1.5’ and work both directions from centre. Really pleased at the outcome. Another first.
Still have to cut my first bearing hole and part it off before making some sort of arbor to cut the bearing pocket on the other side.
I suppose I could bore the whole piece from the back for the bearing before parting off?
Any suggestions?

 

[lchris21]

Fairplay, you have really got going on that lathe, no stopping you.
Depending on bearing set up you are using? Possibly bore it through then use internal circlips as the back face? Alternatively bore it and counterbore it for bearing, part it off then clock it in your 4 jaw? There's only a slight taper so use some soft packers, ali or copper and take your time. Ref for future, bore it then mount it on arbour before crowning it?.............
Im embarrassed by your drive and motivation, I struggle to swap the chuck jaws around sometimes

 

[Exuptoy]

Cheers @lchris21 I think the difference is, for you it’s a busmans holiday, I’m actually enjoying the challenge as for me it’s different. I think if you have a bit of an engineers head on your shoulders you tend to look for solutions. I won’t let it beat me.

 

[Exuptoy]

I was thinking of boring right through then boring for my bearing then making a tight fit spigot like I did for my pulley centre and press it in to use as the arbor then press it back out once the second bearing pocket is done.

 

[Ped]

Have you seen the Multitool version. Might be helpful to see how they've set up the belt tensioner.

They're £245 in the UK (doesn't include the bench grinder!!) so well worth making your own.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multitoo...rinder-Attachment-Linisher-2x72-/272839311110

The belt runs towards you.

 

[Exuptoy]

I had seen them but not really thought about it.......but....I reckon that’s doable.

 

[Ped]

I had seen them but not really thought about it.......but....I reckon that’s doable.

It's a spring in a tube. How hard can it be? Ha!

 

[Morrisman]

I had one ( a home made one that came with the contents of the workshop I bought), never used it and threw it out for scrap about 15 years later when I had to move into a smaller area

I have one my dad gave me, and it sat in the shed for a couple of years. Eventually I bolted it on a shelf, with my grinders, and it was surprisingly useful for little odds and ends, just push a button and take edges off or smooth something a bit.

Now I’ve moved to a garage about 5sq m, and it may well never go back into use.

 

[Dr.Al]

Now I’ve moved to a garage about 5sq m, and it may well never go back into use.

Well... if you don't want it...

 

[Exuptoy]

Well... if you don't want it...

I was thinking the same think. You’ll be in a bidding war if you’re not careful!

 

[Seadog]

Eventually I bolted it on a shelf, with my grinders

Interesting shelf. Do you have to chase it along the wall since it appears to run on casters?

 

[Morrisman]

Interesting shelf. Do you have to chase it along the wall since it appears to run on casters

Those are the ‘feet’ off my portable body hoist, hung on the shelf’s angle brackets.

 

[Exuptoy]

Tonight I got in a couple of hours. Quite time consuming making a stepped arbor after pocketing for the first bearing to hold the roller. So I pressed it in then bored the second one, but once the second one was done I couldn’t get the arbor out! I had to drill out the centre then struggle to press out the arbor without damaging my roller! Then when I went to fit the bearings, one pocket was 0.3mm oversize does it’s like a cock in a sock! I’m hoping bearing retaining compound will sort it otherwise all is good. If not I will just go bigger. Currently got a 10mm silver steel shaft in it.

 

[Screwdriver]

Looks like a lot of crown on that wheel. Ideally you want the minimum you can get away with.

About 1mm off the diameter would do it and you don’t have to go full width.

 

[Exuptoy]

I took 1.5 degrees off from the centre to the outside edge. Didn’t know any better.