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Used Wide Belt?

1/30/17       
Todd Member

I'm looking at used widebelts, and was wondering if anyone experience with this? Is replacing the rollers pretty much a given? Conveyor belt? I'm looking to really cut down sanding time, so I'm curious if you would opt for 2 rollers, and if a platen helps speed along the process as well. I've been looking at Time Savers, but are any other brands reliable enough to buy used? Thanks for your advice!

1/31/17       #2: Used Wide Belt? ...
Hen Bob Member

I have a fully rebuilt SCMI 37" single head ready to go. new platen. Its listed on the machinery exchange

2/1/17       #3: Used Wide Belt? ...
Tom Gardiner

There is a good article on Surf Prep's website on purchasing wide belt sanders. I think you should read it before making any decisions.

2/1/17       #4: Used Wide Belt? ...
Thomas

Todd,

We purchased a used Haltsy about 8 months ago. Haltsy was the company that Timesaver bought. This sander was approximately 25 years old. We relaced 6 roller bearings and almost all bushings in the sander. We pulled the bed and replaced the conv. belt. Had one shaft made for one conv. belt roller. Total cost including the machine was less than $4500. We did all the work in house, except machining some bushings and one shaft. Machine runs perfect and cost way less than the price of a new one. Funny thing was most of the bearings and bushings were the same parts being used on the new Timesavers.
Ours is a 37 inch sander. If you have the ability, go used. Old iron outlast new stamped steel.

2/1/17       #5: Used Wide Belt? ...
Todd Member

Thanks for the responses guys. Tom, are you referring to this article: http://surfprepsanding.com/2015/05/22/stop-dont-buy-wide-belt-sander/ I read that a couple weeks back and thought it was super interesting. I don't do anywhere near 1,000 parts per day, but it does speak to getting something suited for what you need. It sounds like 3 heads are necessary to get it as close to finish-ready as possible?

2/2/17       #6: Used Wide Belt? ...
Tom Gardiner

I have no experience with wide belts but was considering a used one. I read the article and decided I didn't know enough to feel confident about a purchase. I don't know if it is necessary to have a three head machine, my take on the article is to know what the machine can do and don't ask it to do more than that.

2/3/17       #7: Used Wide Belt? ...
Todd Member

That's a good way to put it Tom. I guess my question is really more, how much time will a three headed save versus a two head, or a single head. Is a 3 head necessary if I want to achieve finish-ready sanding? Does two head require light ROS after, or a little more time? We're a two man shop, and while I do want to hire another employee when I can, I'm wondering how large of a gap the wide belt will bridge, time-wise.

2/9/17       #8: Used Wide Belt? ...
Bill

What do you want to sand?

2/9/17       #9: Used Wide Belt? ...
Todd

Bill,

I just signed a contract with an online retailer, and we mostly focus on coffee tables and headboards, but also are contracted for a dining table, storage chest, and hall tree. I have a lot of panel glue ups that I spend loads of time sanding flat with a 21" belt sander.

2/9/17       #10: Used Wide Belt? ...
Pete D

Todd,

If you've been sanding panel glue ups with a 21" belt sander I would recommend wearing a diaper to work on the first day you get the wide belt fired up. You *may* crap your pants when you see how much faster and consistent that machine will make your operation.

I don't run high volume so my single head with platen is plenty fast for my needs. Belt changes take ~30 secs. If you're looking at Timesavers, even used ones, call the company and see if they have any recommendations or comments on the older models or suggestions for the right configuration for your purposes. A lot of their guys have been with the company for years in different capacities.

2/11/17       #11: Used Wide Belt? ...
Todd

Ha! Thanks for the advice Pete!

3/5/17       #12: Used Wide Belt? ...
Adam West  Member

Website: http://www.surfprepsanding.com

I am the author of that article. Feel free to email me at adam@dixonabrasives.com and I can help you narrow down what you will need.


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