Combination wide-belt sand and planer DIY

[bgolash]

This shop-built machine has proven to be very affordable, commercially available machines cost approximately $45,000. In addition, by designing two machines, which share a common footprint valuable floor space was saved.
This machine is constructed using structural steel tubing and 1/4 plate for the frame. The enclosure is composed of MDF and top-coated with an automotive paint. Three motors are used, one of which is a 1/4 hp variable speed DC gear motor. This motor supplies power to the conveyor belt, allowing feed speeds from zero to twenty feet a minute.
Standard automation technology is incorporated to orchestrate all machine functions. Belt tracking is accomplished with two photoelectric sensors, one air cylinder and a programmable logic controller. The planer has a twenty-inch cutter head, driven by a 3-hp motor. The pinch rollers for the planer receive their downward force via four air cylinders instead of the commonly used compression springs. This maintains constant pressure on the wood regardless of varying stock thickness. I believe this helps to minimize snipe and maintain uniform stock thickness. Also by using this arrangement the rollers and chip breaker are automatically retracted at sander start up allowing free access to the sander which is located on the out feed of the machine.

Regards Barry



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[sajurcaju]

Excellent Barry. A definite improvement in wood surfacing. Planers seem stuck in the past.

Steve

[difalkner]

That's a great looking machine! I just love shop-built equipment - do you have any detail photos of the assembly or build process, any videos of it working?