Hireko Forum

racermgr79@hotmail.com · Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Messages: 5 Offline

Hobbyist here.

Recently got a 1x30 belt sander. LOVE it for roughing shafts. When turning ferrules, do you use the part of the belt over the platen or the unsupported part above the platen? My guess is the unsupported part, but I thought I'd ask folks with experience.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 1490 Offline

Use the unsupported part for both ferrules and even on abrading the steel shafts.

Jeff Summitt

racermgr79@hotmail.com · Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Messages: 5 Offline

Thanks for the quick reply, Jeff. DB

sfhubbard@cox.net · Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Messages: 21 Offline

On the same topic, does the 30" belt sander work well for this job? I have a sander, but I don't have a 30" cloth belt for ferrules because I know a lot of people prefer the 42" for ferrules. Does Hireko carry a 30" cloth belt?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 1490 Offline

We no longer sell the special linen belt for turning down ferrules for the 1" x 30" sander. Does it work well? Depends on who you ask. When I taught clubmaking classes we showed the students multiple ways of turning them down; by hand, 1" x 42" with support arm and the aforementioned 1" x 30" machine. Most students didn't have too much trouble using the 42" belt with a little practice, but the 30" was another issue. Most decided it was easier to turn ferrules by hand until they could afford to have the bigger machine in their shop. Can it be done? Yes, but is requires a bit of skill and patience not to burn the ferrules because of the high rpm all these sized machines have.

Jeff Summitt

peter@pws.talktalk.net · Joined: Dec 5, 2007 Messages: 2 Offline

A little tip if you only have the 30" machine and have a problem with the RPM being to fast. I have found here in the UK a small speed controller that you plug into your ac outlet thenyou plug you belt/ grinder into the unit it then controls the speed great.

it was made to control ac power hand drills and i have seen them on some of the US tool sites as well guys so hope this helps.

but as Jeff says much more room to work on your club with a 42" machine and a bigger choice of belts too, but hey we all have to use what we have from time to time.

tourmodelgolf@tx.rr.com · Joined: Jul 15, 2008 Messages: 2 Offline

Take a 1 X 42 inch durabrite felt belt. You can measure it to 30 inches and cut, use the back side of any 1 X 30 abrasive sanding belt. Cut a 2 inch strip off the the abrasive sander and use strong adhesive cloth glue to attach the strip to the felt belt to create the 30 inch loop. place a couple heavy books inside the loop on top of the new seem for two days and the felt belt should hold just find for some time. I had to rig a couple belts before I could afford the 42" sander and it worked fine. I can't remember which glue I used so you may have to play around with that a couple times until you find the right fit.