Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello folks
Thought this might be of interest to ye, as the belt sander was the first tool I've ever owned...
waay back when I intended to get stuck into the world of guitars, there was little available online,
and watching Steve's guitar building on YT, and some John Mayes dvd's convinced me this tool was indeed versatile enough to become
the first big tool on "the list"

However, not building anything comparative to a guitar since, I've never found much use for it TBH, being more of a hand tooler guy of sorts...(One with machinery that is.)

These days, the shed is getting a little cramped now, not with much anything guitar related I might add,
and this thing what was sitting unloved in the back, actually got lugged over to the usable section of the workshop,
and finally proved it's worth.


Now it needs to be made mobile, so I might as well try and give this machine a new lease of life whilst I'm at it.
Hopefully this will make the sander far more versatile.

IIRC, this might not be the first belt sander thread on the OLF, but the one I was trying to find with some capacitor issue
I couldn't find in the archives. (this just being of interest, and not an issue on the machine)

Not done much yet, but got a rough idea of what needs doing...
Might as well post here seeing as there may be some who might feel the same way about their sander.

Ignore the big hole cut into the plastic case, these things don't come off easily if they start smokin!

Disassembled it completely and it's handleable now


Apologies, nothing interesting to see so far, you'll have to come back.

Cheers
Tom

Not got much done since last posting, but might as well give ye a wee bit of an update.
Used up all the 8mm offcuts I've kept, as I didn't want to use up the good stuff.
25 little pieces in that rough looking thing below and counting.


Making sure the machine runs with the bracket parallel with the casting.
Nice not to have to fettle anything with a file, with a nicely milled finish.


Got the other bracket tacked up in situ


Pipe cut for some tubing was next on the list


In order to figure what stock needed to be cut.


I guess you folks might have an inkling of things by now, hopefully I'll be able to get on with the rest soon.
All the best
Tom

Not got up to much since, and didn't wish to clog you folks forum with this malarkey,
and hoping the next instalment might show a bit more progress than what I've been able to get done since.

Just a little cutting and welding so far


Drilled out those tapped holes, and re-tapped them to accept larger M8 threads


Got perhaps just enough done for a preview?
That's just about all the steel I need, mostly concerning the base that is...well it's at least enough to get on with the job.
Though perhaps, some other bits from an auld gate might be utilized for a Carl Holmgren style lever system.


Cheerio for now
Tom

Hello again, hope ye haven't been waiting, been too sore for the shed for a long time.
Cut and re-welded up the old frame, whilst thereafter decided to make some changes once I got the sander onto it.
Used most of the old bits up, and likely some more of the rest later.


Reassembly to double check a few things,


Have this box iron for a long time, t'was from our auld trailer.


Only got it welded and needs tidying up, but looks promising so far
Have yet to give it a few clouts as it took a lot of persuasion to get those posts somewhat plumb.


Think I've came up with a plan for the legs, but going to double check that with a good mock up before cutting.


Cheerio for now.
All the best

Tom