Table Saw -> Disk Sander

[Jim Murphy]

I've got a 1992 Craftsman direct drive tablesaw that I replaced with a real saw. I listed it on CraigsList and got no interest. It has a cast iron top, two cast iron webbed wings, a sheet metal cabinet and legs. Since the unit is direct drive, that means I have a threaded arbor shaft coming directly out of the motor.

I am toying with the idea of removing the wings and worthless fence supports, finding a machined disk that is 10" diameter with 5/8" centerbore, and attaching PSA sandpaper to the disk to make a stationary disk sander. The combination of the saw's tilting system and miter slot capability would allow sanding of compound miter cuts.

My research indicates that most sanding stations turn at 1725 rpm, whereas this motor turns 3450. That's a moderate concern. Since saw blades regularly spin at this speed, it doesn't seem there would be any safety concern with the metal spinning, and although flying sandpaper could hurt under the right circumstances, it is unlikely it would require breaking out the FAK out or bloodying up the 9 and 1 on the phone.

Since I am working on my "think before you post" admonition, I did some websearching and found this Freud component. This gives me a feeling of going in the right direction. Anybody know if this is available locally (Raleigh) at a BORG or WWS or WC? Toolferone?

Has anyone else ventured down this or a similar path before who can offer DAMHIKT or other advice?

 

[DaveO]

I have not done that on a TS, but have seen it recommended as a great use for an old saw that isn't needed. I have used a sanding disk with a table set-up on the back side of my old lathe head stock, and it worked great. I don't think the speed is too much of a factor to worry about except for the aggressiveness of the sanding and the more likelyhood of burning while sanding. I think it is a great idea, and I will look forward to your reviews once you get it all set up. I have not seen a product like you pictured at the BORGS, WC or Klingspor, you might have to order it, but I bet Tom could get one in for you.
Dave

 

[gator]

There are discs available for this purpose

Table Saw Sanding Disc

Table Saw Sanding Disc

10" Table Saw Sanding Disk

and I have seen tips on the various forums where people have cut a disc out of 3/4" melamine or MDF, put a 5/8" hole in the middle and used that instead of spending money on a metal disc.

George

 

[Jim Murphy]

Thanks, Gator.

Looks like WoodCraft is my friend.

I would spend $100 on mel-ah-whatever before I could cut a disk to my satisfaction, and then the 3/4" wouldn't fit in the narrow throatplate. That's a good idea for someone who has a dado insert and can cut a near-perfect circle.

One of these days I'm going to build a circle cutting jig for my bandsaw, but that's not near the top of the list.

I may, however, build up the saw/sander to the same height as my bandsaw to let the saw/sander table double as an outfeed for the bandsaw.

I'll let y'all know how this turns out. And, Dave, regarding burning, my thoughts are to use this as a "sneak-up" dimensioning tool rather than a finishing tool.

What a great group of ladies and gentlemen frequent here... Looking forward to seeing y'all in the cold mist Sunday.

 

[gator]

Thanks, Gator.

Looks like WoodCraft is my friend.

I would spend $100 on mel-ah-whatever before I could cut a disk to my satisfaction, and then the 3/4" wouldn't fit in the narrow throatplate. That's a good idea for someone who has a dado insert and can cut a near-perfect circle.

One of these days I'm going to build a circle cutting jig for my bandsaw, but that's not near the top of the list.

I may, however, build up the saw/sander to the same height as my bandsaw to let the saw/sander table double as an outfeed for the bandsaw.

I'll let y'all know how this turns out. And, Dave, regarding burning, my thoughts are to use this as a "sneak-up" dimensioning tool rather than a finishing tool.

What a great group of ladies and gentlemen frequent here... Looking forward to seeing y'all in the cold mist Sunday.

If you want to cut one and try it before putting out the $$$, come on up again and we can cut one on my bandsaw, I have a home-brew circle cutting jig. I just went out and checked, and I have some scrap MDF we could try it out on.

I forgot, you mentioned insert. You/we could make one, just bring your old insert.

George

 

[Tarhead]

Jim,
I've also seen these at Sears for <$20.

 

[taandctran]

I dont really know, but I would be kind of cautious of spinning mdf at that high rate of speed. It a piece was to come loose then it would be like a flying bullet. I would just go buy the metal one. that's my .02

 

[toolferone]

yup we have them here.

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

Another option is to buy a disk then get a Velcro conversion kit and velcro backed sanding disks. Other vendors may sell them but Shopsmith sells both the conversion kit and velcro-backed sanding disks.

 

[Gofor]

Sears sells the 10" sanding disk with 5/8" arbor hole. Costs about $20 IIRC and comes with sandpaper on it. They also sell the PSA disks for it. If you have a cummins sale happening near you, you can get a Ridgid disk for about half that price. It comes with 80gr on one side and 120 on the other. I bought one at the last Cummins sale but have yet to put it on the saw. I would never try to spin MDF at 3650 rpm, especially of I was going to apply side pressure to it.

Go

 

[jerrye]

IIRC, shouldn't a sanding disc for a table saw have a bevel on the side, toward the edge, allowing a slight tilt so as to only have a small area of the disc in contact with the work? If you use a flat disc wouldn't it grab too much of the work and make a missle out of it?:eusa_doh: This thread interests me as I have a Ryobi BTS10 tabletop saw that I was trying to come up with a use for. This might just work!:eusa_danc

 

[junquecol]

You could take a plywood blade (not thin rim) and mount it backward in saw. Then carefully grind teeth off with either a file, or old grinding wheel ( the one you removed from you bench grinder when you put the new white/ pink ones on.) Go to Klingspor's and look in the sandpaper bargin box and get some paper and a bottle/ spray can of disk adhesive. Using ground blade as a guide cut some disks to fit. Punch out center hole for arbor.