DELTA 31-300 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Open Stand Belt/Disc Sander
Source:Tools and Materials
Stationary Belt Sanders:
OK this is my baby, I love this tool. This is a piece of machinery that I would not want to be without. It’s a Delta 31-300 6-Inch Belt Sander with a 12″ Disc Sander.
This thing is built like a brick s……, well you know what I mean. This piece of machinery will take anything I will throw at it.
Guitar Making Tasks:
Sand backs, sides and tops to thickness
Sand neck joints prior to gluing
Sand neck heel block prior to gluing
Sand neck/headpiece scarf joint smooth
Sand necks to thickness
Sand Headpieces to thickness
Sand Headpiece sides
Sand bracing, including scallops
Rough contour neck heels
Rough contour neck foot
Sand Head and Tail Blocks, including contours
Finish sand linings, bindings and purflings
Sand fingerboards flat
Sand contours on fingerboards
About a thousand other uses!!
Tool Cautions:
When working with this tool you have to learn to operate the belt with a light and very even touch. This takes practice and lots of it. You will quickly know what I mean once you have sanded that prize guitar back so uneven that you have to throw it in the trash.
With proper use this tool can be very, very, precise. I can sand down tops and back with absolute precision because I place even pressure on all surfaces of the wood. Once you start working with this tool you will quickly learn the nuances of how it works too.
How To Operate The Tool:
This tool operates at low to medium RPM’s but don’t be deceived by that slow speed. This little baby can hog out a lot of wood in a hurry if you have a fresh belt on it.
I use mostly coarse belts on mine – 80 Grit Aluminum Oxide works the best. Make sure you get the direction right on the belt – proper rotation is printed on the inside of the belt. Adjust it until you can hear a reduction in RPM and then back off just a bit. Centering the belt is a snap with the knurled knobs.
Accessories:
Be sure to get a Gum Rubber Belt Cleaner. You will double the life of your sanding belts.
Be sure to stock up on extra 80 Grit Sanding Belts and 120 Grit Aluminum Oxide Belts.
Additional Shop Operations:
This tool can save you tons of time and money. You won’t have to get your work done elsewhere such as molds, jigs, tools etc. You can make them all in the comfort of your own shop. The Delta 31-300 will pay you back in no time.
Sand Inside Molds
Sand Outside Guitar Forms
Shape your Steel Scrapers (use old worn-out belt)
Make Wood Cam Clamps
Assorted Fixtures and Jigs
Alternative Stationary Belt Sanders I Like:
DELTA 31-735A 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Belt/Disc Sander with Magnetic Switch and Dust Bag, 230-Volt 1 Phase. If I could, I would buy this unit over and above the one I have. I love the enclosed cabinet and magnetic switch. The enclosed cabinet will do a better job of dust collection and the magnetic switch will make the dust in the switch woes go away.
One of the nicest features of this sander is it has it’s own dust collection system. You don’t have to hook it to your central system if you don’t want to. (you can of course). It has all of the same features, gadgets etc. of the open stand model.
The tables are strong, level cast iron platters that can handle just about anything. Great Stationary Belt Sander unit.
Powermatic 1791291K Model 31A 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Belt/Disc Sander, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase. I have owned one of these models as well. I really like it a lot. Powermatic tools are hard to beat and I own a lot of them. I like the enclosed cabinet, the belt adjusters and the beef this unit has. I like the Delta just a tiny bit more though.
Powermatic Main Features:
Belt Sanding on a Budget:
Consider the Grizzly G1183 Combination Sander 6″ x 48″ Belt 12″ Disc 3450 RPM
For a cost of about 60% of the Delta model you can do some great sanding with the Grizzly unit.
Built to the scale and level of quality professional woodworkers demand, this heavy-duty sander features a 6″ x 48″ sanding belt that operates horizontally, vertically or at any angle in between. Both table supports tilt for any job.
Grizzly Main Features:
The Last Word:
This IS my favorite Stationary Shop Tool and it is a tremendous time saver. You will love yours too. I have come up with several gadgets that I use to make by experience with this tool even better. I will discuss those in future articles.
Please Share Your Experiences:
Do you have a favorite Shop Tool you would like to share with us? Just write a comment and we would all love to hear about it. I’m sure there are other tools that I have not touched upon that are equal in quality to my own experiences.
Tags: delta belt sander, grizzly belt sander, guitar making tools, guitar tools, powermatic belt sander, stationary belt sanders
