Converting a miter saw into a disc sander

Don't see any reason why not--this works fine with a radial arm saw and I can see where a miter saw's adjustments could be very handy. Be aware though, that with a wood as soft as balsa it may sand too fast to be really controllable.

A Sears 10" sanding disk is 16 bucks

1. Do you really want to listen to that thing run during a sanding session? Darn near all of them are too noisy when simply running for a few seconds.
2. I wonder if the bearings would last taking a load 90 degrees to the direction that they were designed to take a load and were they or the motor designed to be run non stop for several minutes at a time.
3. I'd strongly suggest a 0 dedicated 12" disk sander, very QUIET by comparison.

I think I still have a ten inch disk (I said DISK!) that takes sanding disks. It came with my first Crapsman tablesaw back around 1980 . Want to say I've seen them since in a catalogue or some-such.

Dave in Houston

For safety sake make sure the sanding disk is rated for your motor speed. With a light easy touch, it may work for balsa.

IMHO. it's way too many RPM for balsa.. Try a washing machine motor and a wood disk in whatever size you want your paper... If you don't have a motor handy, trade the saw for one, someone out there needs it..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

rote:

Not this one. I loaned it out and when I got it back, it wouldn't cut straight. I hate to throw it away because the motor is still good. . I agree with the light touch on balsa. Thanks to everyone who responded back to me.

A good carpenter can do good work with bad tools A bad carpenter can do good work with good tools A bad carpenter can't do good work with bad tools

hmm... had a problem like that on an old Craftsman and it turned out to be a little alignment/setup and tightening the bolt that the saw moves up and down on.. The guy that borrowed it (for 2 years) didn't notice that the bolt was starting to loosen and the zero clearance slot was about 3/4" wide from the play at the pivot!

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

rote:

The problem is in the pivot point. I tried to tighen it, but any tighter and it won't move up and down.It is a Pro-Tool mitre saw and since they are out of business, I can't get replacement parts. As a mater of fact, I replaced it for $69 with a Ryobi. The motor is still good and I hate to discard it.

Not having read all the comments on this subject I would like to submit my opinion any way.

NEVER USE ANY POWER TOOL FOR SOMETHING IT'S NOT MANUFACTURED FOR.....

Dave N

I purchased one this weekend and it works very well for what I am doing. I set the saw at 22.5 degrees and sanded a couple of joints. They matched perfectly. The way I sand my balsa is to set the angle and draw a line on the wood, Then I sand down to the line. Works well. Thanks for your help.