It's a delta 31-300 6x48"/12" belt/disk sander:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Should be here on monday. Looks like it might be a relatively new
machine since there aren't too many reviews out there. Does anyone
have any experience with this machine?

I have a good dust collector which sounds like a necessity. I also
wish it was the closed stand version, but that's about $400 more which
I didn't think was worth it. I may make my own base for extra storage
and to get the machine up higher anyway (i'm 6'5"). For the extra $400
you get this dust bag that I would never use. But you also get a
larger cast iron table for the disk sander which I really want.
Depending on how stupid delta part pricing is, I may order the part.

I combined three different discount codes on amazon and got it for $599
with free shipping. The grizzly equivalent (G1183) is $517 with a 1
horse motor instead of a 1.5 horse motor and no stand. This looks like
a different design than the grizzly. The griz looks like the jet. The
griz is also direct drive, this one is driven by a belt. The delta
motor is also tefc. So I figure $83 for a stand, extra half horse,
tefc, and belt drive is probably worth it.

Anyway, I'll try to post a review once I get it all together. I'm
expecting the supplied disk and belt to majorly suck. Can anyone
suggest a good online source for disks and belts and also the best grit
to use for both? Also, I'm not sure if this has a graphite pad under
the belt. If it doesn't where can I get one and how much of a big deal
is this? thanks.

brian

brianlanning wrote:
It's a delta 31-300 6x48"/12" belt/disk sander:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Should be here on monday. Looks like it might be a relatively new
machine since there aren't too many reviews out there. Does anyone
have any experience with this machine?

I have a good dust collector which sounds like a necessity. I also
wish it was the closed stand version, but that's about $400 more which
I didn't think was worth it. I may make my own base for extra storage
and to get the machine up higher anyway (i'm 6'5"). For the extra $400
you get this dust bag that I would never use. But you also get a
larger cast iron table for the disk sander which I really want.
Depending on how stupid delta part pricing is, I may order the part.

I combined three different discount codes on amazon and got it for $599
with free shipping. The grizzly equivalent (G1183) is $517 with a 1
horse motor instead of a 1.5 horse motor and no stand. This looks like
a different design than the grizzly. The griz looks like the jet. The
griz is also direct drive, this one is driven by a belt. The delta
motor is also tefc. So I figure $83 for a stand, extra half horse,
tefc, and belt drive is probably worth it.

Anyway, I'll try to post a review once I get it all together. I'm
expecting the supplied disk and belt to majorly suck. Can anyone
suggest a good online source for disks and belts and also the best grit
to use for both? Also, I'm not sure if this has a graphite pad under
the belt. If it doesn't where can I get one and how much of a big deal
is this? thanks.

brian

G'day Brian,
Can't give any suggestions for purchasing consumables as I'm in Australia.
As to belt grits, I use 80g almost exclusively for both the belt and disk.
From reading some of the reviews, it seems that the paper is attached
to the disk with adhesive. If this is the case I would strongly
recommend that you fit a Velcro pad and by suitable sanding disks. Makes
life a hell of a lot easier. Not sure how much of a benefit a graphite
pad would be under the belt. When I first purchased my machine about 5
years ago, I intended to get one as all of the sanders I had used in the
industry where fitted with them. The cost was pretty prohibitive then so
I did without and have been doing so ever since.

You will find that this an invaluable piece of equipment.
Have fun

regards
John

brianlanning wrote:

It's a delta 31-300 6x48"/12" belt/disk sander:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Should be here on monday. Looks like it might be a relatively new
machine since there aren't too many reviews out there. Does anyone
have any experience with this machine?

I have a good dust collector which sounds like a necessity. I also
wish it was the closed stand version, but that's about $400 more which
I didn't think was worth it. I may make my own base for extra storage
and to get the machine up higher anyway (i'm 6'5"). For the extra $400
you get this dust bag that I would never use. But you also get a
larger cast iron table for the disk sander which I really want.
Depending on how stupid delta part pricing is, I may order the part.

I combined three different discount codes on amazon and got it for $599
with free shipping. The grizzly equivalent (G1183) is $517 with a 1
horse motor instead of a 1.5 horse motor and no stand. This looks like
a different design than the grizzly. The griz looks like the jet. The
griz is also direct drive, this one is driven by a belt. The delta
motor is also tefc. So I figure $83 for a stand, extra half horse,
tefc, and belt drive is probably worth it.

Anyway, I'll try to post a review once I get it all together. I'm
expecting the supplied disk and belt to majorly suck. Can anyone
suggest a good online source for disks and belts and also the best grit
to use for both? Also, I'm not sure if this has a graphite pad under
the belt. If it doesn't where can I get one and how much of a big deal
is this? thanks.

brian

I recently got their $259 version and it has a graphite pad. The belt
frame isn't well supported, so belt tracking is problematic, but for
what I spent, I guess that's to be expected. At least I got a step up
in power from the Delta 4"belt x 6"disk sander.

Dave

Thanks for the info. I use the velcro pads for the random orbit sander
and like it a lot. It hadn't occured to me to find such a thing for
this machine.

As for the graphite pad, I read a review or post or something somewhere
where someone had complained that the metal under the belt (the
techncial term escapes me at the moment) ended up developing divots and
depressions so that over the years, it had become no longer flat. I
guess this is a function of the hardness of the metal, abrasiveness of
the back side of the belt (belt quality?), and how hard you're pressing
against the front of the belt. I suspect it will never be an issue for
me since I'm nothing like a production shop. If I can spend a few
dollars and make the machine last an extra 20 years though, it's
probably worth it.

oh, does anyone use those rubber erasers to clean out the belt and disk
from time to time, or just ignore the sand paper cloging problem?

brian

I had a long time internal debate with myself about this. I had
decided to get the smaller grizzly one with the closed stand. iirc, it
has a 9" disk though, and I really thought the 12" disk would get more
use. I wasn't completely sure that I wouldn't upgrade the machine
later. And since I fall squarely in the cry-once category, I opted for
the larger machine. I wish grizzly made a chinese version of the
closed stand delta/jet/powermatic monsters. I'm sure I would have
bought that machine instead. The current amazon discount codes helped
the decision along though.

brian

brianlanning wrote:



oh, does anyone use those rubber erasers to clean out the belt and disk
from time to time, or just ignore the sand paper cloging problem?

brian

I have the "eraser" sitting next to the sander and I DO use it
periodically, and it works.

Dave

brianlanning wrote:


Anyway, I'll try to post a review once I get it all together. I'm
expecting the supplied disk and belt to majorly suck.

I usually leave a 100 grit disk in my 12 incher at all times. I
typically use the tool for fine tuning fits and cleaning up bandsawn
outside curves. I actually have had good enough results with Delta
branded disks available locally, so I haven't sought others. My absolute
favorite disks for my ROS are made by Mirka. The only power sanding
media I DON'T really like is the Porter Cable stuff sold in BORGS.

Any marks left by the 100 grit are pretty easily cleaned up by hand,
with a sanding block or scraper.

Get one of these, they're sold under many brands and worth their weight
in gold:
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/accessories/abrasives/belt_cleaner.htm?L+coastest+mvcr0349ff732173+11383 69880

Your sanding media will last and last!

I don't have a stationary belt sander so I can't comment on belts. The
12" disk is a fantastic addition to a typical shop.

Barry

"brianlanning" wrote in message
ups.com...

oh, does anyone use those rubber erasers to clean out the belt and disk
from time to time, or just ignore the sand paper cloging problem?


YEAH. Probably the smartest thing you can buy for a sander. These extend
the paper at least 10 times over. They work great and QUICKLY.

B a r r y wrote in
m:

Get one of these, they're sold under many brands and worth their
weight in gold:
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-
bin/SoftCart.exe/a/accessories/abrasive
s/belt_cleaner.htm?L+coastest+mvcr0349ff732173+11383 69880

Your sanding media will last and last!


IIRC, someone posted here likely years ago, that they'd gotten crepe
soled shoes at garage sales (for next-to-nothing) that worked well.

I've used the stick things, and they do work very well.

--
Regards,

JT
Speaking only for myself....

Leon wrote:
"brianlanning" wrote in message
ups.com...

oh, does anyone use those rubber erasers to clean out the belt and disk
from time to time, or just ignore the sand paper cloging problem?



YEAH. Probably the smartest thing you can buy for a sander. These extend
the paper at least 10 times over. They work great and QUICKLY.


Amen. Well worth the price.
j4

Thanks guys. I picked one up from lee valley along with a new belt and
disk.

brian

"John Thomas" wrote in message
...

IIRC, someone posted here likely years ago, that they'd gotten crepe
soled shoes at garage sales (for next-to-nothing) that worked well.

I've used the stick things, and they do work very well.


Might as well and spring for the real ting at $5 as mine has lasted for
ummm over 10 years.

"Ba r r y" wrote in message

Kind of like using "old" pantyhose and toothbrushes in the shop? G


Oddly Yeah. LOL. Years ago I used old panty hose to apply stain. I was
originally taught that the panty hose does not absorb pigment. I have
however been using old t-shirt material for many years and see no
difference. The t-shirt can only absorb so much stain and I really hated it
when the panty hose would snag a corner and cause a run in my panty hose.
:~)