Thread: Sherwood Belt / Disk Sander

I had an identical one but a different colour. Had it for years with no hassles. Was a good little unit. Sold it a coupe of years ago when I downsized. Having said that, if i was to buy another linisher i would spend the dollars and get a bigger , more solid one. Something like this is not a lot extra.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L107

Timbecon version
https://www.timbecon.com.au/sanding-...lt-disc-sander

I have the larger unit suggested.
I made a mobile base for it so it isn't in the way when not in use.
Does everything I need it to.

I have one (in a different colour)

The main issue is that the bracket for the disc table flexes when used. So it isn't very accurate.
If you are able to inspect the unit in store, you should be able to check the rigidity of the table, it may have improved.

Jeff

Apart from the rigidity of the table, take particular note in how much adjustment there is to get the slot in the table parallel to the disc. I have two similar units, both with missing discs, one with the belt horizontal, the other vertical. The horizontal one is used as per a disc sander, but the advantage is that the abrasive is going at the same speed across the belt, whereas on a disc, the outside is travelling faster, giving un-even results across the finished item.
Not all units can be configured to operate in both modes, something else worth checking before purchasing. Rigging up some sort of dust extraction is a necessity, these things create clouds of dust, particularly with the coarser grits.
I also have a larger unit similar to the larger Timbecon unit, but is only 100mm wide. Mine takes longer belts than these, which gives a longer platten, great for sanding longer items.

Good luck with your new toy.

Alan...

Thanks Alan and Jeff, that's the sort of feedback I was after. I'll mount this on a mobile base and I'll also make my own table for the disc part which will be larger and more stable. I wish it had a 100mm dust port as I think its only 60mm. I take your point about the outside of the disc traveling faster but I would only use it for smaller items and rounding over and use the belt for everything else.

I’m not sure re the Timbercon one but on the Ryobi, which looks the same, the dust port is blocked in half up the guts, so it looks like a 60mm opening buts it’s really only 30mm or smaller.

Hi Barri,

I have a 12inch disc sander that I use for most jobs, but also the Ryobi version of the unit you’re looking at. I suspect the Timbecon sander might be better built than the Ryobi, probably worth your comparing ‘in the flesh’.

As Jeffen says, the stability of the table can be an issue. It’s OK for general work, but if you want to do things like trimming accurate mitres you might consider taking the table off altogether and builing a separate little ‘table’ to sit in front of the sander at the height you want. Mine is an open box on its side, open side facing the operator. This can be clamped to the bech to prevent movement or bolted to the bench.
it gives me a stable surface, larger than the sander’s own table, and it is much easier to clamp fences to it, e.g. for mitres.
Happy sanding,

Brian

Originally Posted by Lappa

I’m not sure re the Timbercon one but on the Ryobi, which looks the same, the dust port is blocked in half up the guts, so it looks like a 60mm opening buts it’s really only 30mm or smaller.

I think they are all the same regards the dust port.

The mens shed also have the Ryobi and the dust port is rubbish.
I have looked at ways of improving the dust collection.
My solution would be to remove the entire dust collection shroud marked in Red and attach a cut down BMH.
Sander.jpg

Bobl is right, I have one and trying to do anything with the limited space behind that end cover is just a waste of effort - I use an adjustable Bell mouth pick up and direct it as needed.

FYI It handles anything that I throw at it and no problem for the few years that I've had it.

Originally Posted by BobL

My solution would be to remove the entire dust collection shroud makes in Red and attach a cut down BMH.

What's a BMH?

Originally Posted by barri

What's a BMH?

Bell mouth hood.

Great, I've got one of those.

Just picked it up one of these, assembled it and tried it out. Yes its on the cheap end of the spectrum and its not the most perfectly engineered machine I've seen but it does the job I want including sharpening. For the hobbyist its perfect. As mentioned above, dust is bad. I'll make a stand on wheels and use it near the opening of my garage with a BMH behind the dust shroud as recommended.

Just a note on what I have found with mine. As already noted, the dust intake areas are pretty small and they are trying to do both disk and the belt collection at once - hence the divider plate behind the end shroud and the pathetic collection from the tiny port. I find in most situations it's better to have a big bell mouth pickup opposite and offset towards the direction of belt travel for the sanding area that I'm using on the machine, for me it results in virtually no clean up at all.