25 Year Old Metal Shop Belt Sander

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I made this belt sander waaay back in high school metal shop.  About 24 years ago if I remember right (man is that scary).It sat in my parents basement all this time, never used (except for in shop class), just sat there.  I had forgotten all about it. God love my mom for hanging on to this kind of stuff.Anyway, she was cleaning out the basement here a couple months ago and called to ask if I wanted this thing or could she just pitch it (we live a couple hours away).  Told her I'll take it so we picked it up the last time we were there...and it got to sit at our house for a month or so before I really looked at it.Looking at the pics you can see the belt was digging into the "frame".  Not in the pics but looking at it closer the frame of the sander is not in alignment with the motor.  Motor is square to the base but he frame is cocked.  Lord only knows what kind of grade I got on this thing. So, my little project is to go buy a new piece of wood, make a new base, and remount everthing so it's square and true to the world.Not much of project but heck, the thing works, it's free, I made it, and I see no reason why I won't pass it on it one of my kids someday. I'll post pics when it's done.Thanks for looking.   Attached Images
Reply:That's really neat.  Looks like you cast the frame, table and pulleys?We only spent 10 weeks in 'Shop Class' (over 35 years ago).  Did a little sheet metal work that involved soldering, turn threads on a lathe, tool making (screw drivers and chisels) and some sand casting although I don't remember what I cast.  Welding and Auto Mechanics was reserved for seniors IIRC.Pretty soon all aspects of providing out youth the opportunity to learn a skill in public schools will be gone.  No money to fund building life skills for the majority but we sure can justify 'professional sports level' athletic stadiums that cost millions and may provide some benefits for only a few.  But I digress.Keep us posted on your progress.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I remember in Junior high metal class, a few days in, someone was drilling a piece of sheet metal, it spun, there was blood centrifugally shot all over the classroom. It was wild. No one could believe the kid would go and use it without getting a little training. I was already building high tech stuff at this time at home. And you just assume that anyone at that age already got basic training. But no this guy just went and drilled a hole in sheet metal. Never thought about the consequences. And the teacher went over it like "no one use the drill press unless the piece is secured". No one push with your hand in front of the band saw blade.............. It was stuff almost embarrassing to have to say to adults. 13 year old adults Ha-ha. But the kid just could not see the danger.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Looks like you cast the frame, table and pulleys?
Reply:Nice work! We had almost the same project in my metal shop class 50 years ago only ours was a 1" wide belt machine. Same style cast wheels and frame. The wheels were bushed with bronze bushings and ran on 1/2" steel shafts. I used the thing constantly but the frame finally cracked and the 1/4 hp blower motor was on its last legs. I took the wheels and axles, which showed absolutely NO wear after all these years, and built a new machine with a 1 hp swimming pool pump motor. It's nice being able to use the stuff you made when you were a kid.Cut an MGB and widened 11" C4 Corvette suspension and LT1 Chevrolet power & 6 spd. Pictures here:Part 1http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581Part 2http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422