1"beltsander/RobLee

Re: 1"beltsander/RobLee

Rob Lee

>Hi Kees -

We do carry a 500X grit belt (page 89 of the catalog) which is virtually the same as using a 600X (look for 54K9812).

Also have 320X, and 1200X in AlOx, and 1000x in SiC (15 micron)...

I suspect your problem is finding it on the website - it's badly navigated (buried with the old Mark I sharpener). I'll have that fixed by the end of the week!

Cheers -

Rob

Re: 1"beltsander/RobLee

kees laan

>thanks Rob.

I'll order it that way.

kees

Re: 1"beltsander and Leonard Lee story

Jim Cosgrove

>In the mid 1990s I went to the American Woodworkers Show in Fort Washington, PA. At that time, it was a fantastic show and included many demonstrations and seminars by top notch experts. The best seminar I attended, and the one that changed my approach to woodworking, was one on sharpening taught by Leonard Lee. Using the belt sander that Lee Valley now sells, he demonstrated sharpening a wide variety of tools, quickly and efficiently. I was wide-eyed throughout the hour long seminar. I must confess that before the seminar I always wondered how anyone accomplished anything with hand tools, My own efforts had been pitiful. But that was before Mr. Lee demonstrated sharpening! I fully credit him for opening my eyes to the world of hand tools. Anyway, I am digressing.

Mr. Lee showed the audience how easy it is to shapen kitchen knives with the belt sander. He then said (I do not know if this is true or not) that he often brought his belt sander instead of a bottle of wine when he was invited to a friend's for dinner. He found that his hosts were much more pleased with the offer to sharpen all of their kitchen knives than they would have been with a bottle of wine.

After that, everyone in the audience wanted to buy the belt sander that Mr. Lee had used. He promised to add it to the catalog. Soon after he did, I purchased one. It's great! While I have not brought the sander to other people's houses, I do have a steady stream of knives coming into my shop that friends ask me to sharpen! It is so easy and quick that I'm happy to do it.

Anyway, excuse me for rambling. Your post just brought up great memories of a fun day and the sharpening epiphany I had with Mr. Lee.

Which motor? (RobLee)

Jim Campbell of Boulder CO

>I was interested in the belt sander, but I sent an email message to LV asking about what motor to put in. I know nothing about motors and was trying to figure out what to buy from MSC. I never got an answer (which is actually amazing give the service I've had from them) but then got distracted and never followed up.

So, anyone (and Rob if you're listening) what motor to use?

Thanks,

Jim

Re: Which motor? (Rob Lee)

Dennis

>Well not to answer for Rob but if my old 30" sander goes to old power tool heaven, i would get a dc motor with variable speed to run it. Right now working on my hand grinder to have foot pedal and really thinking about using that old sewing machine base i got to make the really cool galoot grinder set up.

Dennis

remove nospam for email

Re: Which motor? (RobLee)

Eric Hedberg

>Jim,

I have one of these sanders and I use a "used" blower motor I picked up at a yard sale. They are also available new through places like Grainger. They can be wired CW/CCW and have sufficient fractional horsepowers. If you know someone in the HVAC world you might even pick up one for free.

Eric

How to pick from Grainger? *LINK*

Jim Campbell of Boulder CO

>Thanks for the HVAC comment - I'll ask the facilities guy here at work.

But if that doesn't work, I'll just order one. Grainger "only" has 3383 choices. How do you pick? Which RPM, which NEMA frame, is variable speed worthwhile?


Grainger motor picker

Re: Which motor? (RobLee) *LINK*

Murray in Palo Alto CA

>Jim,

Once you've figured out what you want (speed, hp, mounting,..) check out the surplus stores - you may find one sufficiently close and significantly below the price at Graingers. One online surplus store that I like is linked below (surpluscenter.com). Another is C and H Sales at

http://www.aaaim.com/CandH/index.htm


http://www.surpluscenter.com

Re: Which motor? (RobLee)

kees laan

>You can buy it with a motor which isn't a closed fan motor.

I do have a closed fan 3 phase motor. And I have plans with the benefits of the 3phase, because it can turn clock/counterclockwise.

kees

6K517B

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>That is the motor which I bought from Grainger to use with the LV belt sharpening system.

It is 1/4 HP, 1725 RPM, TEFC, and is an appropriate size, shape, shaft, etc. (it has been a couple of years since I got it). LV says to use at least 1/8 HP, and I thought that TEFC was a good choice, what with all the sawdust and crud in the shop.

Keep in mind that the prices listed are full book-price, there are lots of discounts available, if you ask about them.