Belt Sander Stand

[Dick Mahany]

My 20 year old Makita 9924DB belt sander has often sat unused as of the last few years.  Fortunately I came across this excellent bench mount design published in 2011 by John Heisz in ibuildit.ca.  It was quick and simple to build and makes using a belt sander great for bench projects.  This sander is still produced today although the major downside of the design is the rectangular port for the Makita dust bag.  I found a vac hose end that was able to be stretched around it and now I just need to make an adapter to fit it to my CT hoses.

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[nclemmons]

Like the hinged pivot.  Should prove to be really useful in the shop!

 

[Svar]

Your sander, as well as some other Makita models, has two M6 threaded holes on the belt side. They are about 45 mm apart. Their purpose is to mount the sander or attach accessories. The face with holes is also perpendicular to the shoe and is a solid aluminum cast frame on which all other components are mounted.
The point is use those holes to mount the sander instead of braces.

 

[Dick Mahany]

Your sander, as well as some other Makita models, has two M6 threaded holes on the belt side. They are about 45 mm apart. Their purpose is to mount the sander or attach accessories. The face with holes is also perpendicular to the shoe and is a solid aluminum cast frame on which all other components are mounted.
The point is use those holes to mount the sander instead of braces.

I noticed those threaded holes and wondered what they might be for?  Thank you for the enlightenment. 

This little holder works so well, what might I gain by doing it differently as it is rock solid in the mount and perpendicularity is established with the crude but effective screw in the small square block on one side?  Quick and tool less. I'm always looking for new ways to improve.  I'm really looking forward to putting this excellent belt sander back into my work flow after all of the idle time and am totally open to suggestions  [big grin]

 

[Svar]

AskWoodMan on YoutTube has several nice videos on this too.

If you want to go redundantly fancy there is this one:

 

[Dick Mahany]

AskWoodMan on YoutTube has several nice videos on this too.

If you want to go fancy there is this one:

Very cool, thanks !  Since your information earlier, I'm also thinking about a quick mount from the front of my MFT.  Keep the ideas coming as I'm sure I'm not the only one trying to repurpose their belt sanders  [smile]

 

[GoingMyWay]

These ideas are great.

I bought a Ridgid Belt Sander last November.  I used some Quick Clamps to hold it down to my custom top that I created using the Parf Guide System.  I guess my belt tracking was off because the edge of the belt ended up scoring a mark on the MDF top - only a minor cosmetic issue, but it still bugs me every time I see the gouged top.

I didn't notice if there were any open threaded holes specifically meant for mounting, but I seriously doubt it since it's just a recent model.

I think a hinged bench mount would work out really well for me.

 

[Mortiser]

Here's the link to the series AskWoodMan does:

 

[Bob D.]

It might be possible to make your own adapter from square to round with a piece of PVC pipe. You can heat and reshape it for a snug fit on that rectangular port of the sander. A heat gun (not a hair dryer but a real heat gun) should work. You can use flame heat too but more risk of burning the pipe and be careful of the fumes when using either method.

Make a wood mock-up of the port on the sander to reshape the hot pipe over. You can shrink/grow the ID of the pipe a bit if you don't get carried away. Then paint to your desired color.

 

[RussellS]

I have an older Makita 4x24 belt sander.  I turn it upside down and clamp it in my Record vise on the workbench.  Mainly use it to sharpen the lawnmower blade.  Have 200, 300, and 400 grit belts for it.  And rougher ones too.  Use the finer grits for lawnmower sharpening.