Disc Sander?

[Zumba]

I'm thinking about getting a disk sander for sharpening HSS tool bits. Would it be suitable for this task? Jet makes a very nice one for a hair over $200.

Another option would be this belt sander from Grizzly - http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0489. Quite a bit pricier but it does have the advantage of allowing quick grit changes.

Burr King sanders are way too expensive...

[WhiteTiger]

For bit sharpening you pretty much want to stay away from any sort of flexible media because they can not reveal new sharp abrasive and even the adhesive disc will flex against it's paper/cloth backing and the adhesive. Not enough control of the cut.

Best to use a solid stone on a decent bench grinder.


Tiger

[2muchstuff]

Get an 8" bench grinder, 1hp min.

[wizard]

Hi Zumba;

I have to disagree to a large extent with the others here.- A disk sander can be a very good choice for forming and sharpening tooling. Mind you I'm talking about the disk not the belt. It is by know means solves evry problem related to sharpening and forming tools but can be very usefull and a good substitute for a tool grinder. So they can be usefull in the same way a tool grinder is.

Here are a couple of positives.

1. Your surface is always flat and true. This assumes a flat and true plate for the disk to mount to.
2. It is easy to vary the SFM by moving the tool to or away from the center of the disk.
3. far smaller chance of the "wheel" breaking.
4. An interesting number of grit possibilities.
5 You can build one yourself.
6 Wheel changes are cheap. This is especially important when working with differrent materials in a shop. You should only use a disk that is set asside for stainless for stainless for example.

This is the way I see it. A disk sander isn't a bench grinder but niether is a bench grinder a disk sander. They each have applications that they excell at. Now having said all of that you really need to take a look at a Harbor Frieght Tool grinder. This is what you really want. Especially after configuring it with a better set of wheels.

Dave