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It looks like I will have access to a general belt type thickness sander model 15-025. It seemed to sand fairly well with an 80 grit belt on mahogany & walnut, however on an 8" back it was out .010 across the 8". I'm thinking it needs either and adjustment which I hope can be done or the conveyor is very worn. Does anyone else have any experience with this model & have they got it set up well?
McNerney

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Mike McNerney

It might be set up to sand panels wider than 15" and would be higher on the outside end to not leave a sanding line on wide panels.Check with the owner to see if he did that.If so you should be able to lower that side of the conveyor to get more level.Open end sanders are set up that way alot.If not open end,probably just an adjustment is needed.

Can make the adjustments. I have found the books on various tools online over the years. That is one reason to run the stuff one way, turn it and go the other way and do both sides. Kind of evens things out. Better to have the table adjusted, but if can't do that this works ok. My sander is set up right and I keep it adjusted, but I still do the turn and flip thing as a habit. Did it on a widebelt at Bourgeois, and instructed to do it no matter how well the machine was set up. Same at Moll's shop, so must be a good thing to do.

I now think it is the conveyor that is worn? Do you know wher I can get a new conveyor? The part doesnot seem to be available from general.
Mike McNerney

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Mike McNerney

Regardless of why it is not perfect, you can compensate with a backer board, which some members use. For example, you can glue sandpaper to one side of masonite. The sandpaper will eventually serve to keep your work piece from slipping off the board and flying accross the room. Put a mark on one edge to keep track of orientation. Turn the board over so the sandpaper is away from the sanding belt and against the conveyor. Run it through until the entire surface has been sanded, without changing the orientation of the board. Then, flip the board over end to end to expose the sandpaper side for your work. Keep your reference mark on the same side of the machine. Now the backer board has all of the error built into it and compensates for the uneven adjustment. This off course only works with machines that sand on one side at a time.

Other members may want to give details of how they prepare and use a backer board. I am only speaking from second hand information.

thanks Mr. Bergman, why didn't I think about that, nice and simple.
MM

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Mike McNerney