How to make a universal wood sander. Belt grinding machine: study and make it yourself Homemade grinding machine from a drill

Sanding is one of the wood processing methods that allows you to give the workpiece a perfectly smooth surface. Versatile to use grinding machine woodworking will be distinguished by its functionality and ease of use. To process lumber, you can use units manufactured by specialized manufacturers, or you can make such equipment yourself, which will allow you to save significantly.

Types of woodworking machines

Currently, there are numerous types of sanding machines that are designed to perform various types of work with wood. They differ in their design and are intended for household and industrial use. You can easily select both highly specialized models and universal machines, which are intended for complex wood processing.

If necessary, you can make a homemade grinding machine for metal or wood, made on the basis of a drill, a motor from washing machine or using other equipment.

Disc units

The working surface of self-made grinding machines for metal and wood is made in the form of an island metal disk onto which the abrasive is attached. Due to its simplicity of design and versatility of use, equipment of this type has gained wide popularity in the market today.

This machine consists of an electric motor, on the axis of which a circle with a fixed work surface. Abrasive attachments and sanding paper are attached to the working axis, which allows for processing wooden blanks. Despite the simplicity of the design, such machines are distinguished by their versatility of use and can perform high-quality wood processing, giving the workpieces a perfectly flat and smooth surface.

The advantages of surface grinding technology include:

  • Versatility of use.
  • Efficiency.
  • Reliability.
  • Simplicity of design.

A feature of this type of equipment is the ability to adjust the processing speed of wooden workpieces without changing the speed of the working element. When working with such a machine, you can move the workpiece along the radius of the circle, which allows you to change the intensity of processing of products. At the periphery of the disk, the linear speed will be higher, which can significantly speed up and simplify wood processing. But inside the circle, where the linear speed is lower, final sanding is performed, removing the thinnest layer of wood.

Belt installations

Belt surface sanders have two shafts with a continuous belt of sandpaper stretched between them. Processing of workpieces is carried out by exposing them to sandpaper, which removes thin shavings from wooden workpieces, giving them a perfectly flat, smooth surface. The working surface of disc machines can be vertical or horizontal, while some models allow you to change the direction of movement of the belt. With the help of such equipment it is possible to process products long length, aligning their ends. The simplicity of the design allows you to make your own belt sanding machine for home use.

Drum models

The main purpose of units of this type is horizontal leveling using a jointer. This type of equipment is mainly used in industrial workshops, which is explained by the complexity of its design and the narrow specialization of drum units. Using drum sanding machines, wooden products of the same type with the same thickness are manufactured and processed.

Manufacturing of grinding machines

Industrially manufactured machines offered today in specialized stores are distinguished by their versatility in use, functionality and efficiency. Their only drawback is their high cost, therefore, if it is necessary to perform various types of grinding work, most homeowners decide to manufacture homemade equipment, which in its parameters and quality of processing is practically not inferior to factory units.

Structurally, a do-it-yourself metal grinding machine will consist of the following components:

  • Metal or wooden frame.
  • Electrical engine.
  • Drive shaft.
  • Working surface.
  • Sanding belt.

When making a drum sanding machine for wood with your own hands, you need to determine the power of the electric motor used. It is recommended to choose electric motors that develop around 3 kW and are capable of maintaining a clean rpm of 1,500 rpm. Based on such a drive, a functional, durable and reliable grinding machine can be manufactured that can cope with processing wooden products. The easiest way to make such equipment is based on an electric motor from an old washing machine.

The frame of the grinder can be made of lumber or a metal corner, welded and additionally covered with plywood. It is necessary to select the dimensions of the bed based on the dimensions of the drive used, as well as the dimensions of the wooden workpieces processed on the unit. When making a bed, you need to focus on the existing project documentation, which will allow you to correctly manufacture the load-bearing base of the machine, which will subsequently be able to withstand significant loads.

The shaft of the manual and automatic belt grinder, which is directly connected to the electric motor, can be machined by lathe or use ready-made blanks from industrial equipment. The shafts of the calibrating drum sanding machine must be located strictly in the middle of the main drive, which subsequently guarantees high-quality processing of wooden workpieces.

The optimal width of the sanding belt used will be 200 millimeters. It can be done from emery, which is cut into strips and then the abrasive tape used is glued from them. The material must be glued end-to-end, and with reverse side Dense material is placed to ensure the strength of the seam.

By making a sanding machine with your own hands, you can significantly simplify the processing of wooden blanks, leveling boards and removing chips from lumber. Making such a unit with your own hands is not difficult. On the Internet, you will need to select a schematic drawing for the manufacture of the machine, and using an electric motor from an old washing machine, make the simplest equipment, which in its functionality and quality of processing will not be inferior to factory-made equipment.

The working surface of the wood after cutting needs special treatment. Grinding will help eliminate roughness and other imperfections for further application of paintwork.

A do-it-yourself wood sanding machine is capable of performing final technological operations related to calibration and leveling of surfaces. At the same time, the costs of purchasing such equipment will be minimized. Unlike factory models, they are small in size, so they are easy to install in a workshop, garage or shed. To work with them you do not need special qualifications. Enough to know functional features devices and follow safety precautions. Grinding machines are used in everyday life, in construction and in furniture production.

Design - initial stage

Different models of sanding devices allow you to process all kinds of wooden materials.

Before you start making a homemade wood sanding machine, it is important to decide for what purposes it will be needed.

This will depend on technical specifications tool:

  • The performance of the device is affected by its power. For home use 400 W will be enough. High performance is ensured by machines with power up to 1 kW.
  • The quality of grinding is affected by the rotation speed of the working tool. The maximum value is 3 thousand revolutions per minute.
  • Depending on the type of surface being processed, the working area is calculated. The width of the machine drums depends on it.
  • Machine dimensions – important indicator where the equipment will be used: in workshops or in a small home workshop.

Simple homemade grinding machine

Types of equipment

Woodworking machines have the same operating principle - the surface is polished using abrasive material, for example, strips of sandpaper or circles with a rough surface.

Grinding machines differ from each other in structure and scope of use. The purpose of the device determines which drawings should be used in the work.

Band machine

The simplest of all models for household use. It allows adjustments in different planes, cleaning and shaping the required form products.

The basis of its mechanism is an abrasive belt stretched between the shafts, which is located in a horizontal and vertical position or at a certain angle. Below it is a low-friction working surface against which the tool rests.

During operation of the device, the speed of the mechanism can be adjusted. There are several models of belt sanders. They can be with a stable and movable work table, and with a free tape.

A mandatory element of their design is exhaust device to remove dust. To make a homemade product, you will need an electric motor that can be removed from an old washing machine, rollers and a strong frame made of sheet metal.

Working elements are made of chipboard. The drive shaft is directly connected by an electric motor, and the other rotates freely on an axis, for which bearings are used for mounting.

The abrasive belt made of emery cloth is located strictly in the middle of the shaft. It should touch the surface smoothly and not slide off.

To assemble the structure you may need the following consumables:

  • wooden boards and beams;
  • metal pipes;
  • bearings;
  • electric motor;
  • pulley;
  • rubber belt;
  • fasteners;
  • abrasive material;
  • working tool for installation;
  • welding machine, if the frame body is made of metal.

Drum device

Necessary for horizontal leveling and calibration of surfaces. With its help you can process slats and MDF materials and chipboard. The design of the device consists of two rollers with an abrasive belt stretched in a spiral.

Under them there is a smooth tabletop on which the workpiece is located. The distance between the shafts and the working surface is adjustable.

Fabrication work drum machine is carried out in stages. First, a body is made from sheet steel or plexiglass, then the engine is mounted. An abrasive belt or cone with cutting edges is attached to the drum.

A desktop is installed at the top of the diagram. It must be adjustable in relation to the vertical cylinder. The on and off buttons are used as controls.

Disk device

Another simple homemade grinding machine is a disc grinder. It is necessary for turning large wooden products. An abrasive wheel is used as a working tool, which is attached to the axis of the electric motor.

A special stand is installed in the center of the disk on a hinged mount, which fixes the part at a certain angle. To improve equipment, experts advise using wooden disks with different types sandpaper.

Combined option

Combines cylindrical and surface grinding equipment.

The device can be made in this way. A shaft with a disk with a diameter of up to 230 mm is attached to the enlarged bed of the belt grinding machine.

In this case, a belt drive is used. The design is complemented by a support table. The combined technology will save space and provide ease of use.

Correct operation of equipment is the key to successful operation

The process of installing a wood sanding machine with your own hands must meet all the requirements of safety regulations. Every master should remember this in order to prevent injuries in the workplace:

  • The manufactured machine is made from quality materials and has reliable design. During surface treatment, do not touch the working tool or moving parts of the mechanism with your hands.
  • When working with homemade grinding equipment, you need to wear safety glasses.
  • For woodworking, you cannot use discs designed for metal processing, since they have a different surface structure.
  • Before starting work, it is important to check the serviceability of the structural parts.
  • Usage protective casing For grinding wheels increases work safety.


Surely, if you are interested in grinding and other similar work, you have already heard about such useful things as a belt Grinder, orbital, vibratory sanding machine and so on. But it is quite possible that you have not come across such a device as a rotary grinder. Its difference is that the grinding element here is not a belt or a disk, it’s a shaft! Such a machine is simple, and its efficiency can be compared with a belt sanding machine, unless, of course, you need a perfectly ideal plane. However, accuracy is not a problem here, it all depends on the quality of the build.


The essence of the machine is as follows: it consists of a shaft on which sandpaper is attached. The grinding rotor, let's call it that, is driven by a drill. Opposite the rotor there is a working plane, it is height adjustable. It all works very simply, we take the block or board that needs to be sanded and adjust the work table in height so that the board does not fit between the rotor and the table with a gap of a couple of millimeters. We turn on the machine and sharpen the desired plane.

If you wish, you can conveniently process planes of any width (taking into account the maximum width of the machine), you can easily process the ends of the material. Let's take a closer look at how to make this miracle of technology.

Materials and tools used

List of materials:
- sandpaper;
- plywood;
- drill;
- long threaded rod;
- two bearings;
- nuts, wings, washers and other small items;
- two long screws with nuts and washers;
- self-tapping screws;
- door hinges;
- wood glue, epoxy glue, superglue.

List of tools:
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-
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- jigsaw;
- spanners;
- clamps.

Machine manufacturing process:

Step one. Making a working plane
The main element of the machine can be considered the working plane; it is thanks to it that the distance to the grinding shaft can be adjusted. The working plane must be able to rise and fall. It's very easy to do. We take a sheet of plywood and cut out a base from it, attach two plywood rectangles to the base. We sit them on wood glue, and on the other side we additionally wrap screws.






















Now you will need another piece of plywood, this will be the working plane itself. We take the door hinges and screw it onto them. As a result, the plane will be able to rise and fall.

Step two. Installing Mounting Screws
There are two screws installed on the sides of the working plane; they are designed to fix the table at the desired height. For them you need to drill holes between the two halves of plywood, for more details about what I’m talking about, see the photo. Then unscrew the plywood strip between which the holes were drilled and place the bolt in the groove. Using light blows of a hammer, press the head into the plywood up to half its diameter; do the same on the other side. As a result, you will have excellent grooves for the screw heads.








Step three. Installing side walls
The author also makes the side walls from plywood. They are double, the widest wall is designed to support the working plane, and the narrow one is needed to securely fasten the grinding rotor.








The wide side wall should accommodate the screw rods that are installed in the workbench. Take a pencil and draw a line along which these screws will move when raising and lowering the table. We drill holes at the beginning and end of the lines, and then cut out the grooves using a jigsaw.
















Install the screws in their places in the desktop; it is advisable to glue the plywood and then screw it together with self-tapping screws. Now install the side walls, and on the other side install washers and wing nuts on the screws. With these nuts you can quickly fix the work plane in the desired position.

Step four. Screwing the base
To hold the entire structure together, you will need a sheet of plywood from which the base is made. First of all, glue the short walls to the side walls for mounting the bearings.
We turn the structure over and screw the base on the other side. The main frame is assembled!
















Step five. Installing bearings for the rotor axis
It's time to install the bearings. They need to be drilled seats, a drill with an appropriate bit will help you in this matter. Then drill holes for the rotor axle, which has a long bolt or threaded rod protruding from it.










Step six. Manufacturing and installation of a grinding rotor
Place the bearings in their places, remembering to lubricate them well, and also prepare the nuts and washers. The rotor is made from round plywood, which is cut into drilling machine. Divorce epoxy resin and put the round timbers on the axle one by one, applying epoxy glue between each part! Once you have assembled this entire garland, squeeze it well and let the glue dry completely.








Once the glue has dried, secure and adjust the sanding rotor. This is done using nuts. Tighten them so that the shaft play is minimal, but the bearings should not be overtightened! Secure the nuts with superglue, or just use two nuts at a time.




Step seven. Installing the drill
To install the drill, you will need to make a small “table” with a bracket. This table is made of plywood. Attach the drill chuck to the shaft and cut the parts to height. Twist the “table” using self-tapping screws.








Now you can make a mounting bracket, for this you will need plywood or wooden beam. We take the necessary measurements and cut the plywood lengthwise into two parts. Next, place a thin strip between the two halves and use a drilling machine to drill a hole of such a diameter that the nose part of the drill can then fit into it.






































That's it, the bracket is almost ready. All that remains is to install the screws with which the drill can be clamped in the bracket. Drill holes for the screws and install the screws. You need to drill out the seats for the screw heads so that they do not protrude. Install the screws and fill the caps with superglue or epoxy. The bracket can be installed! We apply wood glue, install it, and tighten it on the other side with self-tapping screws.

Grinding machine from a drill. The option was proposed by Pavel Ivanov from Tomsk.

This grinder was designed from memory (I once came across a similar design on the Internet), and assembled at the first opportunity - I happened to be visiting a friend in furniture workshop, brought up scraps and twisted them right on the spot.

At the base is a rigid box with a base in which the drill is placed. The box is assembled using confirmations. The tool itself is fixed with a kind of clamp.

Let's take a closer look at this clamp, since it is the most complex element of the design. It is represented by a pair of parts: a lower one, rigidly fixed in a U-shaped box, and a movable upper one, which is attracted to the lower one by a pair of wing screws.

In the center, using a core drill (or a Forstner cutter of a suitable diameter), a hole is selected for the drill gearbox (fixation is carried out by the platform for attaching the handle).

A pair of holes with a diameter of 10 mm are drilled in the lower part, which are connected in a T-shape to vertical channels for the studs from the wings. M10 nuts with a pair of washers are inserted into them. I think what and how is clear from the photograph.

IN assembled form it turned out like this:
What should have been done differently:
1. Instead of M10 nuts and washers, it is better to use cylindrical furniture barrel nuts.
2. The axis of rotation should be lower, level with the table. (I made a mistake in my calculations).
3. You need a “backdrop” for the drill - when long work Vibration warps it a little, which is very noticeable on thick parts.
In the plans:
1. “Back” (support board).
2. I want to cover the area from the “clamp” to the table with a casing, close the front end and make a pipe for the vacuum cleaner.
3. "Guide"-limiter. For now I'm making do with lath and clamps.
I used this grinder to sharpen kitchen knives, a cutting board (12 mm plywood), 16 mm chipboard, and plastic. You need to select sandpaper according to the job.
I have hammer drill(as in the photo in the first post about such grinders). The disadvantages of this option are a large amount of play in the chuck and it is difficult to sharpen small parts. The advantages of using a drill are adjustable speed, less chance of “burning” the part.
If you have a router, you can adjust the height of the drill above the table. And this is both a slotter and a small circular grinder (instead of a grinder, you can put a thin cutting disc and cut profiles, pipes, plastic, cable ducts, thresholds, baseboards).
Another significant disadvantage of such a grinder is that it’s big and heavy, you can’t carry it around :)