Kalamazoo Belt Sander?

[StrikerDown]

Does anyone have experience with Kalamazoo Belt Sander products?

I am looking at the 1" X 42" model, wondering if they are a decent product.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=952569&PMAKA=505-1371

 

[precisionworks]

Kalamazoo is one of the few companies that isn't off shoring its production. When they say Made in the USA, it is :)

A couple of things to be aware of ... the 1x42 has (ta da) 42 square inches of belt surface. Buy a bunch of belts since they don't last long when grinding or sanding harder metals. Belt speed is on the slow side at 1800 sfpm, and the motor is none too big at 1/3 hp. http://www.kalamazooind.com/products/belt-sanders/1sm-belt-sander/

Their 2x48 machine is a huge step up in all areas. It does cost more ($359.95 on sale at Enco) but it's well worth the extra money ...
Belt speed is 4500 sfpm, right where it should be, meaning that less pressure is used for material removal & belts last a lot longer. Belt area is 96 square inches, more than twice as much as the 1x42. The 2x48 is a super common belt size & bargains are available everywhere (eBay, MSC, etc.) The motor is 1/2 hp and will not be worked nearly as hard on most jobs. And finally ...

It can be used in the vertical OR the horizontal position, where the 1x42 is vertical only. http://www.kalamazooind.com/products/belt-sanders/2fsm-2belt-sander/

 

[mahoney]

We have a 6X48 Kalamazoo belt sander in our shop. It is a good sturdy tool. It cost a lot considering what there is to it in terms of parts, and we had to provide our own magnetic starter. I don't know much about their smaller sanders, but if the quality is as good as it is for the 6X48 size, they should be worth buying

 

[StrikerDown]

Thanks for the info.

It was the Enco Sale that got me wanting to upgrade from my 20+ year old HF POC!

I guess that the main thing I don't like about mine is the slow belt speed so the 2 X 48 Barry mentioned is probably the best way to go.

 

[precisionworks]

Thanks for the info.

It was the Enco Sale that got me wanting to upgrade from my 20+ year old HF POC!

I guess that the main thing I don't like about mine is the slow belt speed so the 2 X 48 Barry mentioned is probably the best way to go.

If your budget can stretch a bit, the 2x48 will keep you happy for a long time. Nothing is more frustrating than spending a good bit of money for the 1x42, only to find out after a few weeks or a few months that it isn't quite up to the job. IMO, the 2x48 is the best value, even at the higher price.

My Burr King 482 (48x2, go figure) is used every day for some job, certainly one of the most run machines in the entire shop. You can easily find excellent belts at low prices from http://www.supergrit.com/ . They've done a nice job for me, especially their closeout items.

 

[wquiles]

If you have your own motor, is this a good buy then?
http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/catalog/Category/Machine-Tools/Belt-Grinders---Sanders/Kalamazoo-2FS-Vertical-or-Horizontal-2--x-48--Belt-Sander?productID=2724&categoryID=73

 

[precisionworks]

If you have your own motor, is this a good buy then?
http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/catalog/Category/Machine-Tools/Belt-Grinders---Sanders/Kalamazoo-2FS-Vertical-or-Horizontal-2--x-48--Belt-Sander?productID=2724&categoryID=73

it certainly looks like 1. Add a 3 phase motor and VFD and it would be an awesome machine that took up little space

 

[brickbat]

Does anyone have experience with Kalamazoo Belt Sander products?

Yes! I just bought one last month from Enco. Replaced my POS import (probably similar to your POC model), and I like it. A lot. Had it have been available with a 3-phase motor, I would have fitted it with a VFD, but now that I have it, I'm happy and I don't feel the need for variable speed that often on a belt sander... It was nice to just plug in a tool and go, for once...

The 1 x 42 does everything I need, and I like that belts are dirt cheap. And, with its 1750 rpm motor, it is quiet, which I value. I'd go with the 1x42 over the 2x48 for that reason alone. (having a 6 x 48 sander in the shop helps, too for the times I need something faster :))

 

[StrikerDown]

Thanks Jim, I think the 2 X 48 will be the best choice for me. The higher RPM sounds like big PLUS. The import I have been living with has a 1720 RPM motor and the sfm really is what bothers me the most about it. It get the job done but sometimes it's painfully slow!

Yes a 3Ph and a vfd would be the ultimate, but seems like a bit of "overkill"! But that seems to be Will's middle name!:sssh:

:D

 

[StrikerDown]

Just ordered the 2 X 48, applied a current 15% discount and the cost went down to $305.96! That plus 15 belts in various grits and another $15 dollar tool plus tax and shipping was still only $392.xx!

 

[precisionworks]

Just ordered the 2 X 48

Awesum :thumbsup:

Abrasive machines save so much time in the shop that you'll wonder how you ever did without it. My Burr King & the Delta belt/disc are both machines that will never be sold ... unless they could be replaced with larger or more powerful models.

 

[StrikerDown]

UPS dropped off a package :naughty:

Now if my garage was less than a hundred degrees! :devil::devil:

 

[wquiles]

Now if my garage was less than a hundred degrees!

Same problem that I have. I can only work on the "shop" early in the morning :(

 

[cmacclel]

Same problem that I have. I can only work on the "shop" early in the morning :(

Ha Ha mine's air conditioned :) I need a belt sander as well!

Mac

 

[wquiles]

Ha Ha mine's are conditioned :) I need a belt sander as well!

Mac

Yes, I have been to your awesome shop - an outstanding temperature controlled shop ;)

Will

 

[StrikerDown]

Made in AMERICA

This Sander is a simple design but very nicely built, It came with a belt already installed and when I hit the power the belt actually tracked true on the center of the wheels! American made Quality!!!:party:

Baldor Motor! yessiree! Unlike the other chinese motor driven tools I have this device runs smooth and relatively quiet... much quieter than my Junkese 4X36 sander.

Chris,

You are a lucky man... Air conditioning in the man cave!

This sander while certainly not a Burr King is a major leap ahead of my Junkese belt/disk. It can be used in the Horizontal or vertical mode... not sure but I think this could be useful. The belts are very easy to swap out using a built in lever just flip it over from the rear, pull down to compress the tensioning spring and the belts slide off the right side... After you open the hinged enclosure on the right. Nice simple design seems to work well.

I've been watching ebay for a long time for Burr Kings, as usual they treat them like they are made of gold! This sale was too good to pass up!

 

[precisionworks]

Re: Made in AMERICA

Nice score, you'll use it often. Probably the most used power tool in my shop.

Now if my garage was less than a hundred degrees!

Mine stays at 68°F :)

For just $2500 in parts & a day or two of your labor, your shop can be pretty comfortable. You won't even mind the $200/month utility bill :(

 

[wquiles]

Re: Made in AMERICA

Mine stays at 68°F :)

For just $2500 in parts & a day or two of your labor, your shop can be pretty comfortable. You won't even mind the $200/month utility bill :(

I am "slowly" working towards making it cooler, maybe not 68F, but cooler, as I already insulated the roof, the garage doors, and the one wall that needed it. I need to work on the A/C piece now.

My garage/shop has two windows, but they face the street in front of the house, so I am sure my wife will not think it looks pretty to put a window-based A/C in one of those two front-facing windows :D

 

[precisionworks]

Re: Made in AMERICA

I need to work on the A/C piece now.

Is the air handler unit in the garage? Many are, although they can be located elsewhere. If it's in the garage, it may be easy to run either metal duct work, flex duct, or a combination of the two. If your home's central A/C is not sized large enough to take on the additional heat load, you may be able to purchase a second, smaller central A/C (plus furnace) to cool & heat just the garage.

Window units are energy hogs, and almost any other solution will cost less over time.

 

[LittleBill]

Re: Made in AMERICA

go mini split , the efficiency ratings are insane and can have heat pump ability. 25seer vs 9.7 or 10 for most window units. 1500 for unit but can easily make that up in running cost