Bearing RPM

[Lonnie B]

Thanks Ken nice words. I saw your sander build. My plans didn't call for hardwood but if I had to do it all over I would build it out of hardwood. As it is only the roller is made of Red Oak (Home Depot). I used a piece of Formica to cover the plywood and the sanded pieces to ride on. Didn't use my 3/4 hp motor, bought a 3 HP motor instead. Was thinking I would be underpowered. Did not want that. I bought the pulleys here locally and I do live in a small town and using the mathematical formula that was put on here they will give me a sanding speed of 850 RPM's. Maybe too slow but I can change that as I go along. My motor uses it's weight to put tension on the belt as yours do. I have a real nice shop vac that will be my dust collector. I've used it on my planer/joiner and it's amazing nothing escapes it. I realize that the sawdust is finer but I can route the exhaust outside so shouldn't be too much airborne particles.
I have everything to complete the hood now but the temps have been cold in my shop. So I've been getting in some relax time with the wife as she gets better. Am looking forward to warmer weather. Plus she'll be getting less dependent on me allowing me more time to devote to my guitar building.

[Ken Hundley]

As you saw on my hood, I used flaps made from bike inner tubes. I was lazy, and didn't want to make an adjustable guard. I think it leaks too much of the vacuum, which is potentially why my shop vac doesn't pick up the heavier dust, not enough negative pressure in the sanding area. Thought it was a good idea at the time, but might look into rebuilding my hood differently. I would also see if there was a way I could close up gaps between the table and the cover on the open sides, again to create more negative pressure.

Happy Holidays all!

[Lonnie B]

Ok Ken now you've got me to thinking. I re-read your latest post after doing some thinking on this problem. Now I know you didn't say what you did just to see your thoughts in print. What if any would you do different if your sander was at the stage of construction that mine is? Any idea's would be greatly appreciated. I have the best shop vac Home Depot offers. The stainless steel one. Also another shop vac to hook up to the exhaust port to keep small particles out of the air. Plus I have the baby shop vac. Just to let you know my sucking power:0). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ken

[Kyle Barbour]

Lonnie, I have a Rigid shop vac that I use on my sander and it works fine. I have to clean the filter out frequently when using it for this but it works and I don't use the sander all that frequently.

[Lonnie B]

Thanks Kyle. I really don't think I'll have any problems. My owners manual suggests that I clean or change the filter for small particulates. Also says use a finer filter for sanding,or they will be released in the air through the exhaust. But like I said I have another shop vac that's outside. I plan on hooking it to the exhaust to prevent that.

[Ken Hundley]

I think the plans show adjustable guards that slide up and down....I didn't feel like making that, and thought rubber flaps would work. I think they create too much leakage for the vacuum. I still don't see how the guards would do much better, because they leave the space on either side of your working piece open.....the guards are adjusted to the height of the peice you are working on, no? Maybe a single rubber flap would do a better job of creating a seal....something flexible enough to drop down to the table either side of the piece, but durable enough to withstand the scuffing. DOn't know.....I may have a crappy shop vac too. God knows its been through quite a bit. I might also create more of a rounded (barrel-shaped) top guard that is closer to the roller. Again, its mostly an exercise in creating negative pressure. Too much volume, and there is substantially more air that has to move to create the same negative pressure. One of these days, I will get some time to do a modification on it, and increase the motor as well.

[Lonnie B]

Thanks Ken. You've given me a lot to think on. An idea hit my brain while reading your post. I saw in my mind your idea with the bike tube. My idea was that is a good idea but maybe a different material would serve better. Something along the lines of a cloth throw rug made of rags. The edges fringed but not long enough to get to the sanding drum. Just trying to seal it is the idea. We'll see right now it's nearly zero weather and due to get colder. So I'm still watching tv and sitting in front of the heater. I'm old and have earned that right. Lol Yes I would prefer to be in a pair of shorts bare chested and running twenty miles a day. But maybe next year I'll do that :0) Happy New Year