When working on small workpieces, holding a belt sander can be tiresome work. You have to hold the sander with one hand & the workpiece with the other hand. Doing so is not very safe. Also, controlling it with one hand is quite a difficult task.
Building a stand for belt sander can solve this problem. The advantage of using a belt sander with stand is, you can use the sander in different positions. Vertically, Horizontally or flat as you want.
A belt sander stand will hold your tool securely and allow you to work with both hands – freeing up one hand for other tasks. It’s also safer than using a handheld belt sander because there’s no chance of accidentally touching the spinning sanding disk. Building a belt sander stand is not going to cost much money either!
You can build this simple DIY project from scrap wood or purchase an inexpensive kit online. It’s easy enough that even the most inexperienced builder can do it! This homemade stand can be made very easily by following some simple steps. In this article, we’ve stated all the steps of building a belt sander stand.
List of Materials That is Going to be Needed
- Ruler
- Screw
- Screwdriver
- Table Saw
- Plywood(½”)
- Brad Nailer
- Glue
- Mask
- Goggles
Step 1: Gather All the Equipment
Arrange the equipment before you start. Look if you’re missing out on something. Make proper plans & preparations.
Step 2: Design it Properly
The next thing, probably the most important thing you need to do is, to design it properly. How comfortable & how effective the stand will depend on how you are going to design it. The design also has to match the sander’s shape so that it can fit in perfectly.
Step 2:Take Proper Measurement
To give it a perfect shape, proper measurement is necessary. Take measurements of the part you are going to clamp.
Take a square ruler to ensure the sander is level. At first, Build the base plate. Cut the plywood with a table saw. The size of the base should be a little bigger than the sander. Be a little patient while cutting. A little mistake in this step can ruin the whole project.
Step 3: Join the Sander With Base
Now put the sander on the base plate. The belt roller should be facing upward, on the open side of the base plate. The section below the working belt part is called the base plate.
Join the sander with the base with a detachable knob or screws if your sander has the option. Use spacers to fasten the base plate. Look if any other accessories need to be attached.
Step 5: Assemble All the Parts & Screw the Necessary Areas
Cut scraps from plywood & make brackets to suit the mounting holes. As all the cutting is done now, it’s time to assemble all the parts. Glue up all the legs. Use brad nailers to join all the parts. Thin nailers will do a great job here as you don’t have to use wood putty after nailing.
First, Screw them into the sander & then use glue to make their joint firm. The sander should be secured in both front & backside. It will ensure better stability.
Make a workbench with plywood having dimensions of 8 inches wide and 2 inches shorter than the base. The workbench should be higher than the sander’s rear end so that the chattering can be reduced.
Step 6:Make A Dust Collector
Facing a ton of dust is a regular thing in sanding. Making a dust collector by yourself can save you from this trouble.
By using a vacuum nozzle & plastic sheets, you can make a funnel where the dust will be gathered. Although this will not that much efficient in dust collection, it will collect a large portion of dust.
Step 7: Finishing
For safety measures, Screw a stop block at the end of the table. It will ensure the workpiece doesn’t get pulled back by the sander.
Put another screw at the rear end of the belt so that the workpiece does not fall from the workbench when working. Finish your work by cleaning off the workspace & removing all the dust.
Final Thought
Belt sanders are great for removing material quickly and easily. But when working with small workpieces, it can be difficult to keep the piece steady while using a belt sander.
To solve this problem, we recommend making your own belt sander stand out of scrap wood or other materials that you may have lying around in your workshop! It’s easy to make and will provide more accuracy and comfort as well as reduce costs on woodworking projects.
Make the most of what you already have by building a belt sander stand today!
FAQ
How do you make a stand for a belt sander?
Belt sander stand can be made using plywood, with the help of other necessary accessories like screws, glue, nailer, etc.
Can you use a belt sander upside down?
Yes. By using a belt sander as a stationary sander where the sander is mounted on the workbench, you can use it upside down.
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