Why can't you buy / why don't they make.....

[BKHam]

Vertical Belt sanders wider than 6 inches? I've had a 12 inch disc sander which functions much the same but effectively is only 6 inches wide, when using in combo with the table. the circular motion has its disadvantages at times.

I have an edge sander, also 6 inches wide. in general this machine is more dangerous than the disc sander, takes up much more room and is not that much more useful.

what i need is a vertical sander that is wider than 6 inches. I want the benefit of the sander's action pulling the work piece down to the table, much like a band saw or the disc sander. But i don't have the circular motion of the disc sander.

why is this not a thing?

 

[Woodmolds]

Vertical Belt sanders wider than 6 inches? I've had a 12 inch disc sander which functions much the same but effectively is only 6 inches wide, when using in combo with the table. the circular motion has its disadvantages at times.

I have an edge sander, also 6 inches wide. in general this machine is more dangerous than the disc sander, takes up much more room and is not that much more useful.

what i need is a vertical sander that is wider than 6 inches. I want the benefit of the sander's action pulling the work piece down to the table, much like a band saw or the disc sander. But i don't have the circular motion of the disc sander.

why is this not a thing?

Seek and ye shall find.

20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander

<h1>G0936 20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander</h1> <h2>This unique edge sander offers the best of two worlds</h2> <p>The effective sanding height of 11-3/4" of the G0936 20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander allows for other sanding operations not found on most sanders.</p> <p>Use like a disc...

www.grizzly.com

 

[bob vaughan]

Kalamazoo still offers a 14' wide vertical dry belt sander.
NOT in the Harbor Freight price range, for sure.

14" Belt Sander

 

[BKHam]

Seek and ye shall find.

20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander

<h1>G0936 20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander</h1> <h2>This unique edge sander offers the best of two worlds</h2> <p>The effective sanding height of 11-3/4" of the G0936 20" Vertical Oscillating Belt Sander allows for other sanding operations not found on most sanders.</p> <p>Use like a disc...

www.grizzly.com

pretty cool looking machine. wish there was a stepping stone from the 6 inch before you go all the way to this price point.

 

[BKHam]

Kalamazoo still offers a 14' wide vertical dry belt sander.
NOT in the Harbor Freight price range, for sure.

14" Belt Sander

i think a couple companies offer something like this, usually in the 12-15k range. yowswers. cool machine though.

 

[junquecol]

Klingspor can custom make belts in any length, or width, so why not make your own?

 

[dpsnyder]

Have you checked YouTube for diy ideas to build a belt sander. Some great builds that could likely be adapted to a wider Klingspor belt.

Matthias Wandel -

Someone else built a unit for their lathe,, ingenius -

Now to add an oscillating feature to it.
Wait maybe modify this diy oscillating edge sander to a wider vertical oscillating belt sander -

Possibilities are endless...
Dan

 

[ashley_phil]

you can find some old cast iron wide vertical sanders. google drawer sanders they are out there as well.

 

[ashley_phil]

PruittMachinery.com | Woodworking Machinery Distributor. Viewing - - Item_ID 2987

Pruitt Machinery, Inc. is a woodworking machinery distributor representing many of the finest equipment manufacturers in the industry. Besides offering new equipment and providing full parts support, we maintain and offer an extensive inventory of used machinery.

pruittmachinery.com

 

[bob vaughan]

you can find some old cast iron wide vertical sanders. google drawer sanders they are out there as well.

I remember those drawer sanders. Because of the sharp 90º bend, I often wonder how long modern belts last. That taped bumpy belt joint can't last but so long.

 

[BKHam]

I've done a little research on the youtube versions, still sorting thru. many of them are powered by drills which isn't really ideal.

 

[Rick Mainhart]

Bradley,

Here's a different approach:

https://woodgears.ca/belt_sander/index.html

Mathias replaces the drill with a fixed motor ... perhaps you can adopt some or part of his well-documented project to your needs.

Regards,

Rick