Power File

[hotponyshoes]

It might be my imagination but I have a feeling that most of the reason for the belts apparently snapping for no reason might be due to the end bearings on the tool.

I have run cheap belts on good tools and not had any snapping from them.
I think the bearings on the cheaper tools get hot and bind up slightly or something.
I have noticed that, when replacing a snapped belt reasonably quickly that, the end bearing is suspiciously hot and often stiff if you try and spin it.

I have a really nice pneumatic one and that directs part of the air over the bearings to cool them.

If you don't want pneumatic then I would look for something that has a lot of torque and a lower speed. Then you can get a courser grit belt on it and run the thing slower.

 

[Onoff]

but can take off too much material if not careful

With the state of my welding that sounds just what I need...

 

[Onoff]

I've looked at air ones. For me a 230V would be more portable as I work on the patio generally so it would mean lugging the compressor.

Seen a few s/hand ones on Gumtree, B&D etc so might get one of those. Talking £20 ish, cheaper the further from the SE you go!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have no complaints about my black and decker one.

Cheap belts are not worth it.

The B&D plug is a bit bulky.

 

[Turbo]

Keep an eye out in Aldi for one of the ferrex ones. Much better built than the B&D, uses the same belts and has a proper all metal nose bearing instead of a rubber & brass one like the B&D!

 

[SierraV6]

I’ve got the Makita 18v one:

DBS180Z - 18V Belt Sander LXT

Product

makitauk.com

For how often I use it it’s a bit of an extravagance but it’s a great bit of kit!

 

[James1979]

Made mine

With help from a generous person on here when I was between lathes.

 

[Onoff]

That's settled, I'll make one! Based around a cheapo 18V Makita clone grinder.

 

[Onoff]

Do we think spring or gas strut for belt tensioning? 60N seems about the force to conjure with.

 

[James1979]

Spring I reckon. If you could get a suitable gas strut that would be nicer but they’re quite strong. Too strong maybe?

 

[MoreWellie]

My Mcallister is ok, only gets infrequent use but can be for up to an hour or two at a time.
I use the blue zirconium belts and oil the idler wheel on the end most times I use it
so far so good!

 

[JohnH]

I've got both Silverline and B&D. I tend to reach for the Silverline more often. Its a bit less powerful than the B&D but I find its works fine grinding back welds and cleaning up chassis before welding. The finger seems less flimsy than the B&D and it gets into fiddly corners better..

 

[Onoff]

Cheap grinder ordered.

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To give me a start would somebody care to measure the centres between end rollers for me?

Also the tip roller diameter.

Then, is it 453 or 457mm, the standard belt length?

I've some 15x15 box section here. Thinking that'll do.

 

[James1979]

Cheap grinder ordered.

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To give me a start would somebody care to measure the centres between end rollers for me?

Also the tip roller diameter.

Then, is it 453 or 457mm, the standard belt length?

I've some 15x15 box section here. Thinking that'll do.

Mines a 10x330 so ahhm oot but watching with interest

 

[Onoff]

Mines a 10x330 so ahhm oot but watching with interest

330mm?

Screwfix have lots of 60 & 80 grit, 10 x 533 belts on clearance. 5 for 49p.

 

[Onoff]

Just doodling the front end:

 

[fizzy]

I have a Black and Decker one. Feels like cheap rubbish - but it works amazingly well. I use it a lot and it is brilliant. Moves metal pretty fast. I use the blue belts off Ebay - the supplied ones last seconds

 

[julianf]

I have a Black and Decker one. Feels like cheap rubbish - but it works amazingly well. I use it a lot and it is brilliant. Moves metal pretty fast. I use the blue belts off Ebay - the supplied ones last seconds

I got a b&d on recommendation from here. I used it way more than it's £40 price tag would imply it would last for.

Eventually the bearing went in the end, but, being a "brand" I just went on eBay and got a branded drop in replacement and was on my way again.

If it broke in a way that could not be repaired I would certainly buy the same again without considering other options.

With those blue zirconium belts, it flattens weld out, I think, quicker than a flap disc on my Hitachi grinder.

 

[vw1]

I have a silverline and for me it a great machine and ideal for small areas. I use it on .my vw beetle resto . I've had it two years and still going strong in fact I was that impressed after the 1st six months I brought another one.

I buy the hi grade Norton blue ceramic belts and last a good while. Not everyone's brand but been great for me.

Think at the time it was around £23 0n the bay.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Cheap grinder ordered.

I appreciate it'll be a 'project', but for all the difference in costs between bought v. grinder + parts it hardly seems worthwhile?