impala59 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 My trusty old Clarke belt sander gave up the ghost recently and stripping it down it seems that the dead motor is non serviceable/repairable. Enquiries confirmed this and the price of a motor was more than buying a replacement sander. As the hardware of the machine is still 100% i looked to buy an alternative motor with no luck at all. I probably use this tool more than any other sander so pondered what to do before just buying a new one. My answer was to strip the unit down and connect an old power drill (I have several) directly to the bottom roller shaft. I temporarily wedged the drill handle in the frame of my wood lathe to prevent the whole thing rotating (it doesn't ) and will eventually make a wooden frame for the drill handle. With variable speed I now have my belt sander back. I dispensed with the disc part of the sander to reduce the load and it works fine. A bit of a bodge of course, Heath Robinson no doubt. Frankentool lives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggy74 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 you could go green and fit a set of peddles instead ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted October 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 You know I did consider looking for an old sewing machine treadle and fitting a flywheel, maybe if one comes up.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 Loving your work, never one to be beaten! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 Recycling at its best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 I have the newer version of that belt sander , use it for lots of things . Just been thinking , do you have a bench grinder you could some how attach to the drive on the belt sander . There is already that type of setup out there . Just a thought . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 Weirdest looking drill I've ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 How about a heavy duty flexible drive and run it off your lathe spindle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted October 14, 2020 Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 excellent bodgery sir . did you come across a supplier of drive belts while you searched for a new motor ?, i could do with a couple of spare belts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted October 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 (edited) Loads of great ideas there, thank you gentlemen. I have been meaning to get a bench grinder so that would probably be the best long term solution. Having said that, I've been in the garage today and have been shaping wood and brass parts for my guitar builds, the old drill did not even get warm and was running for the best part of 2 hours solid. Mel, if you have the same bench sander I would be happy to send you my now unused belt if that's any help, probably got your address in an old PM somewhere Thinks............... Maybe I could scale this down Edited October 14, 2020 by impala59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted October 15, 2020 Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 5 hours ago, impala59 said: Loads of great ideas there, thank you gentlemen. I have been meaning to get a bench grinder so that would probably be the best long term solution. Having said that, I've been in the garage today and have been shaping wood and brass parts for my guitar builds, the old drill did not even get warm and was running for the best part of 2 hours solid. Mel, if you have the same bench sander I would be happy to send you my now unused belt if that's any help, probably got your address in an old PM somewhere Thinks............... Maybe I could scale this down That would be very generous of you , Thankyou very much 👍. I have two of the same belt sander , one is used for wood , and the other is used for metal , I found that sanding dust and metal sparks are best kept apart 😊. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 15, 2020 Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 Quote Weirdest looking drill I've ever seen. Is it an old AEG drill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted October 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 Chinese, I think, was cheapie no name drill bought 15 years ago in a hardware shop in Aberdeen on a job away from home when I had forgotten mine. The hammer function broke the first time I used it, but it had a good low speed suitable as a power screwdriver when the battery one was charging. Still going strong, had another day in the garage and just left it running while shaping, measuring and try-fitting. Absolutely stone cold!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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