V-Drum Sander Belt Guard

Fancyyyyyyyy!!! ;-) Looks very nice.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I know what you mean, after a few months of working with mine I just knew this issue had to be address. Now that it done I feel more at easy during operating…nice work on your belt guard and enjoy using …BC

That was a clever move, I can Imagine you feel more comfortable now.
Nice work.
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

Thanks for posting, I need to do that. That belt tensioner is genius too, I just went back and Favorited the sander build post.

-- Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement.

great idea speciel if any children visit you in the shop :—)

Dennis

Timbo—The tensioner was an after-thought that I should have thought of when I built it. The motor platform is attached to the case with a piece of piano-hinge (left over from attaching the top). Originally, I thought it would self-tension under the weight of the motor, and it sort of worked except the motor would always jump on startup. The tensioner is just a T-nut on the inside with a bolt through it … I epoxied a slug from the electrical box knockout to the case to keep the bolt from digging a hole in the plywood.

Dennis & Mads—You are absolutely correct! It occurred to me that this could be a problem when I let my grand-sons (ages 8 and 10) use it (under careful adult supervision) a few months ago!

This makes a very useful tool safer.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Dane I have just looked at it again
and I must say its a very nice work, you havn´t gon over the low end of the hedge
even thow its an afterthought added to the maschine
now the maschine looks more finished to me some how
but thats maybee becourse we have been spoiled to see guards everywhere all the time
or simply just a square box with a tool on top in the name of slimdesign and safty

best thoughts
Dennis

Nice job

-- In God We Trust

Very Cleaver on the guard and the belt tensioner! Started building my 18 inch Drum sander yesterday! Thx for all the great ideas!

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

I have gotten several PM’s regarding the guard and tensioner. Maybe a little further explanation is in order.

To attach the guard, there is a block of wood (about 1” wide, 1 1/4” thick, 4” or 5” long) situated inside the 2 sides of the belt and screwed to the box. I then drove in a couple of hangar bolts. The 1/4” x 20 threads on the hangar bolts protrude through the side of the guard where the knobs are attached. That way, the guard can be easily removed in the event you need to service the belt.

The tensioner is a 1/4” x 20 – 2” stove bolt. There is a t-nut installed in the motor mount, and a jam nut to lock it down. I epoxied a knockout from an electrical service box to the case so the bolt wouldn’t dig a hole for itself.

The only thing the tensioner does is smooth out start-up. Without it, the torque of the motor would cause a jolt when I powered it up. It time, it might have damaged the piano hinge used to mount the motor to the case.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"