Looking for an industrial metal sander?

[napier]

Hello,
Do any of you guys have a good recomendation for a industrial quality belt sander. I understand It will cost a decent amount ,but id rather just buy a big heavy duty one the first time rather then buying a cheapy and have it crap out on me. Thanks

[precisionworks]

Hard to go wrong with any model from Burr King. Often seen in production settings. Simple, robust, quiet, powerful, Baldor motors, nearly impossible to kill - mine will probably outlast its owner

[Bob Warner]

Go to www.beaumontmetalworks.com and look at the KMG. I have had mine for several years and would not give it up for anything. VERY good grinder.

There are video's of the grinder in action on the site and many attachments available. Call and talk to Rob Frink, he is a wealth of knowledge and he is the one that makes the grinders.

Tell Rob I sent you, you may not get a better price but I might .

[Planet X]

Only have the baby 100a myself, but based on its build quality I would purchase any of these units (pretending I had the money)
http://www.kooltools.com/kama_belt_sanders.html

Do wished they imported more of the separates, but the combos take up less floor space.

[KB Fabrications]

Go to www.beaumontmetalworks.com and look at the KMG. I have had mine for several years and would not give it up for anything. VERY good grinder.

There are video's of the grinder in action on the site and many attachments available. Call and talk to Rob Frink, he is a wealth of knowledge and he is the one that makes the grinders.

Tell Rob I sent you, you may not get a better price but I might .

That unit is slick. Way more flexibility that any other belt grinder I have seen. In fact, for less than the cost of a mid level Burr King, you could get set up with several attacments that would prove far more useful, and a VFD to boot. Thanks for that link.

[precisionworks]

...for less than the cost of a mid level Burr King, you could get set up with several attacments...

The largest Burr King 760 sells for $2134 (2HP, 220v 3ph) at Southern Tool. Add an Hitachi VFD from Drives Warehouse, which is a 30 minute install, and the total is $2425.

The KMG-10 + 2 hp VFD will run $1665.

For a one-person shop or home shop, the KMG looks like a good choice. But, if you have one or more employees, you'll have an OSHA problem with the KMG - there is no guarding on the belt, on either side.

Burr King started in 1951, and their durability is legendary. KMG is a relatively new machine on the market.

Comparing Burr King to KMG is much like comparing a Freightliner to an F150.

[napier]

Thanks for the replys so I should look for a belt grinder with a high belt speed around 5000 and up correct?

[vicegrip]

Thanks for the replys so I should look for a belt grinder with a high belt speed around 5000 and up correct?

belt speed is a whole nuther' topic , ballanced with feed presure against the belt ....beleive it or not variable is a great advantage...but that may be a chore to accomplish

Bob Warner has expert insight on that topic in a thread maybe sept. or so
Phil

[KB Fabrications]

Comparing Burr King to KMG is much like comparing a Freightliner to an F150.

Right. And that F-150 would be driving circles around that Freightliner from where I'm sitting.

[napier]

What about this one http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0489 and I could put a vfd on that and convert it to single phase right?

[Planet X]

Just more links for your browsing

http://vansantent.com/grinding_sanding.htm

http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/belt_sanders.asp

[napier]

So what speed would u guys reccomend or does it matter? also what do you think of this big grinder http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45725. I know its from harbor freight ,but it looks heavy duty. I know the speed isnt that fast ,but its 2hp 220v . So im thinking get the big one from harbor freight, then get the small 2" belt grinder jet makes from vansant tools. What do you think that would give me the best of both worlds

[Planet X]

Napier, what sort've things are you looking to do? Do you have any specific tasks already in mind or just looking to add another capability to your shop/garage?

Taking a WAG, personally I would shoot my wad on a "industrial quality belt sander" For myself a 4" wide belt was a minimum requirement, also one with the higher belt speeds if offering only 1 speed, something geared toward metal removal. .

A contact wheel is also something I required, and in my case its just a vulcanized rubber coating over the drive wheel. So you are not restrict to just the platten.

[Jim-Tx]

I got the 2" 1 HP Jet from Vansant and it works great. I use mine for cleaning up edges of flats, angles and tubes after they come out of the chop saw. It works good for rounding and shaping corners also. For what I got it for it works great.

[precisionworks]

so I should look for a belt grinder with a high belt speed around 5000 and up correct?

4000 SFPM is about the bottom of the speed range for abrasive metal removal, and 8000 is the upper end. A machine with a VFD control allows you to select the best speed for the job.

I'd rather just buy a big heavy duty one the first time rather then buying a cheapy and have it crap out on me.

I cannot ever remember seeing a machine like you describe for under $1300-$1400. You'll want a minimum 2HP motor (for an 1 1/2" or 2" belt), and 3-5HP for a 6" belt.

The 20" disc sander from HF is waaay underpowered. My Delta 12" disc is driven by a 3HP motor (with VFD speed control) - 3HP is none too much for a 12" disc. The HF machine needs a minimum 6HP to be useable.

As Planet X said, a contact wheel is essential. Of all the machines mentioned, only Burr King & KMG have contact wheels. Probably 85%-90% of the grinding on my Burr King is contact wheel, with the balance slack-belt or platen backed.