[Barry747]

I do not have a disc sander and I'm coming up on some projects where a disc sander would be a big help. I've looked at disc sanders and combination sanders but they either got lousy reviews or were too expensive. For awhile now I've been looking at the https://www.infinitytools.com/10-sanding-discs-with-5-8-arbor This kit comes with a steel plate that can be used to set up a table saw, currently I use the blade that happens to be in the saw. It also comes with hook and loop sanding discs that turn the table saw into a 10" disc sander. With shipping for me it would come out to $72 which is within my budget. I've looked at some other ones but they didn't get as high reviews and they were adhesive backed. I much prefer H & L like my ROS. The only negative comments I've found is that a table saw spins at a much higher speed than stand alone disc sanders but people who have used them say that's just a matter of learning how to use it. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[Stick486]

be careful...
or you will burn what you sanding because the disk turns way too fast...

 

[kp91]

Barry,

I don't like the idea of using the tablesaw as a sander. Lots of changing back and forth takes time, and I am not organized enough in my work flow. About the only tool I would convert to a disk sander is a lathe.
I have found great used sanders on Craigslist and at auctions.

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/tls/d/craftsman-sander-6/6743186462.html Sometimes a little bit of a drive is worth the effort.

You could also find a decent motor and make your own sander https://ibuildit.ca/projects/12-inch-disk-sander/

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?116137-Making-your-own-12-quot-disc-sander

 

[Herb Stoops]

I have used the table saw model, the PSA adhesive discs. I think that the H&L discs would be a great improvement,that way you can change disc grit as you go. The one I used is good and was like a jointer in sanding the saw kirf marks off the edges of boards for glue up. The metal disc has a 1 degree camber built in to it so that once it goes past center the back half of the blade is not sanding and being lifted off the table, when sanding between the disc and the fence. I am not sure what kind of sanding you will be doing, but it works good with the miter guage and fence, I never used it free hand so can't vouch for that. The down side has been mentioned by Doug in that your table saw is tied up with a sanding operation and has to be changed back to use as a table saw.

Dougs suggestion of looking for a combo belt/disc sander used is a good one. I picked up a 6" disc and 36"X4" belt sander for $85. years ago and it is still running,a little noisy but still works.

I just read the link you put into your post , and the disc does have a angled face on one side,the side for the sanding disc. The other side is flat for saw setup. One reviewer did say he bought a 2nd H&L pad for the back so he could mount 2 different discs and not have to stop for setup. This will work for freehand sanding , but be dangerous for sanding between the disc and fence. If the flat side is towards the fence and when you sand it will tend to raise up when it goes beyond center with a tendency to be thrown back at the operator. Also if it does get held down and makes it through,it will show a burned edge.


Herb

 

[Barry747]

thanks for your comments guys. I guess I should have been a bit more specific about what I want a disc sander for. I have no plans to ever run a piece between the disc and the fence. If you watched the video on the link in my first posting, that's about what I want to do. For example, my first project is to make football cutting boards that I found in Woodcraft magazine. Since I'll be making around 10 of these for my family i'll make a template to route the football shape. I'd use the sanding disc to sand to the line after I cut it out on the band saw. Similar to what the video showed but I'd be doing it to the entire elliptical shape. I don't want to build one and I haven't found one yet at the few garage sales that I've been to. Garage and Estate sales are just getting underway here in Florida since the weather is getting cooler. I will continue to look for a deal but I'll need this in a couple of weeks. I figured for the price I'll get a disc to set up the table saw and to sand. Changing the blade on my Dewalt contractors saw is pretty easy. I'd also use it as Herb said for sanding blade marks.

 

[kp91]

i'll make a template to route the football shape. I'd use the sanding disc to sand to the line after I cut it out on the band saw.

I used to make do with using my belt sander upside down or on it's side when shaping templates that I had cut on the bandsaw or scrollsaw. Hand sanding works pretty well too, since you are just making one template, and it is a thinner stock.

Don't forget, if you damage your template, either in production or use, a little bit of Bondo works like magic to repair it.


Definitely looks like a fun project.

 

[Barry747]

Thanks for the Bondo suggestion. I did nick an MDF template a few years ago when I was learning how to use a plunge router. I thought I repaired it with some wood filler but it didn't work. The work piece became another member for my ever expanding scrap bins.