I used to have a Shopsmith many years ago. For one its was the best lathe I have ever had and I loved the 10 inch sanding disc. It had a 10 inch metal dicd with Velcro on it it was the bomb. PLUS you could adjust the speed as you wished…
I was looking around for some sort of sanding disc set up to do 90 degree sanding on outside curved pieces and you the have to spend $500 on some stand alone set up or $50 on some 5 inch sanding combo that really suxs. all of which ar not variable speed.
Ran across a few of these 10 inch steel sanding disc you use in your table saw. PERFECT bbbuuuuuutttttt no variable speed as we all know and table saw speeds are WWWAAYYYYY TOOO fast for sanding in my opinion.
Then I was thinking… What is I got a variable speed control I could plug my 120 volt 13 amp table saw into? COULD THIS WORK? Would it do any damage to the Table saw motor?
I have heard of VS Controllers for routers… What about a table?
ALSO just a tought… I do have a variable speed grinder with a 5/8 arbor…. HUMMM?
If I remember correctly induction motors with capacitors probably cannot be speed controlled, at least not with a simple router speed control. It may work if your TS has a universal motor?
Isn't that Shopsmith sanding disc 12"? I have one and it is 12". It is just mounted on a 1/3 HP motor running at 1725 rpm. You can't vary the speed of an induction motor, but if it is a universal motor, one with replaceable brushes, then yes; you can use a speed control like this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html
Having a 12 inch (or 10 inch) disk sander in the shop is useful for all kinds of stuff. Sounds like it's time to pony up for a real one. Once you have it, you'll use it all the time. In fact, might as well get the 6 inch belt/12 inch disk combo…
I found a Grizzly 12 inch disc sander for $100. Works great and can be mounted to the bench. You could make one if you like, try this kid out for ideas. LINK
Routers use universal motor where speed depends on current tension. Induction motor speed does not depend on it so it cannot be regulated the same way. You could find some benchtop table saw on craigslist for $10 or so and use the router speed control on it. And you still could use on it the disc you bought
Or if you are too lazy to make one, just buy one of these and make a platform for it. If you register for email ads, they'll send you a 15% off your first purchase.
Or if you are too lazy to make one, just buy one of these and make a platform for it. If you register for email ads, they ll send you a 15% off your first purchase.
For me I'd be on the look out for another [older] SS if you have the room, the way a SS can handle the 12" disk and having an extra drill press around is a plus in my book.
I have 2 in my little shop,one bolted to the wall as a shorty, but my needs as a model maker are different than most.
Timing is every thing but an old SS can be gotten cheap.
I had an original SS I bought for $100. When I switched over to dedicated power tools, I sold the SS, but kept the 12" sanding disc. I mounted it on a 1/3 hp motor in a home made table. The table doesn't tilt, but I have many other sanding machines that do. I do miss the drill press function of the SS. If I see another SS at a reasonable price, I just may buy it to add to my collection.
Well I have an PC variable speed bench grinder I rarely use. I think I am gunna try to make one end a 8 inch disc sander…. Gunna try to make it velcro but we will see. I know al too much about taking off and putting on PSA sand paper! UGH!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96.9K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!