My Tools
Inaugural "My Tools" Post
The tool I probably use more than I realize, and one I somehow forgot to maintain for years.
Welcome to the inaugural "My Tools" post. The idea is, occasionally I'll post about a tool, maybe tell the story of where or why I got it. Other times, it might be more about tips, usually adapted from other sources, with some anecdotal, maybe even apocryphal story. Who knows? It's really just something to talk about from time-to-time.
Meet the Delta 31-080
My 1" belt/5" disc sander is a Delta brand, benchtop model. Here's what Delta has to say about it, "the Delta Model 31-080 Belt/Disc Sander is a handy machine for sanding wood, metal, plastic, or ceramic workpieces. This machine incorporates a 1" belt sander and a 5" disc sander, and uses an induction-type ball bearing motor for long-lasting performance. Features include automatic belt tensioning, removable belt platen, built-in dust spout, and a power take-off for mounting an accessory flexible shaft to do specialized work."
Where Did This Thing Come From?
That's the question at hand, and it's an interesting one at that! It's funny, in my mind's eye I can almost see myself bringing the sander home - almost. I looked through pictures of the earliest day of the House 173 blog, and in even the earliest picture - there it sits on the workbench.
I have no idea why the bench was in such a state of disarray, but that often happens mid-project of some sort or other. But - at the end of the day, I really have no idea when or where I got this one. I know I didn't buy it brand new, so there's really two likely scenarios: either I picked it up at this old second hand tool called The Tool Shed, or an old friend of mine gave it to me.
The pioneers cleared the forests from Jamestown to the Mississippi with fewer tools than are stored in the modern garage. - Dwayne Laws
The Tool You Don't Notice Until You Need It
This sander's a good tool. It's not flashy or fancy, but it's been a solid tool for these many years I've had it. This is one of those tools that's so underrated and so taken for granted that I couldn't tell you how often I use. Soften an edge here, round an end there - just don't even notice! But every once in awhile I do get a picture of it while working on a project:
What makes this little machine so valuable isn't that it does spectacular jobs, it's that it quietly handles dozens of small ones. Whenever I need to ease a sharp edge, fine-tune a wooden part that came off the saw just a hair oversized, round over a corner, or sneak up on a perfect fit, this is often the first machine I reach for. It saves time, improves accuracy, and somehow manages to make almost every woodworking and tool restoration project just a little easier.
Finally Replacing the Sanding Disc
I guess what prompted me to write about this sander was that a couple weeks ago, while making a simple beam compass, I realized I've had this sander for years and hadn't changed the paper! I know, I know...but it really just didn't occur to me because it just kept sanding. Until, that is, I was trying to round over the ends of the compass, absolutely nothing was happening. Time to change the sandpaper!
Considering I had never changed the paper on the disc, I thought removing it was going to be difficult, but the old sandpaper came right off. I left just a bit of adhesive on the face of the disc, but that came right off with a couple drops of Goof Off.
Oh, before I forget, after taking off the guard over the disc, look at the pile of sawdust at the bottom. Cleaning that up was one of those oddly satisfying moments.
It only took a few minutes to change the paper, and I was on with the task at hand. Now the ol' belt/disc sander is like new!
One Manual, One Place
If you haven't explored House 173, you may not know I've begun building a static page where I adding links to the user's manuals to as many of my tools as I can. I figure that way I can have the manuals all in one place, and electronically! That page is under the "Manuals, Etc." tab at the top of the page. Here's the manual...
Stay safe out there!
If you'd handed me this machine at a garage sale, I'd probably have walked right past it.Not because it's a bad tool—because it looks... ordinary.Then I started thinking about all the projects I've followed on House 173 over the years.That compass.The tool racks.The benches.The little jigs.The restored tools.The countless pieces of trim.Suddenly I realized this unassuming little sander has probably had its fingerprints on half the projects around here.That's what I liked most about this post. You didn't try to convince me it was the greatest machine ever made. You simply introduced an old coworker that's been quietly showing up every day, doing its job without complaint, asking for almost nothing in return... except, apparently, a new sanding disc once every decade or so.There's something wonderfully honest about that. Not every favorite tool has to be expensive, collectible, or exciting. Sometimes the most valuable machine in the shop is simply the one that's always there when you need it. And if tools could talk, I suspect this old Delta would've spent the last few years muttering, "A fresh sanding disc would be nice whenever you get around to it..." - The Guy Wandering Through the Workshop
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a benchtop belt/disc sander used for?
A combination belt/disc sander is one of the most versatile machines in a small workshop. It's ideal for smoothing edges, rounding corners, shaping small parts, cleaning up saw marks, fitting joinery, sharpening certain tools and removing small amounts of material quickly while maintaining good control. Many woodworkers consider it one of the most frequently used finishing tools in the shop.
How often should sanding discs be replaced?
Rather than replacing them on a schedule, it's best to replace sanding discs when they stop cutting efficiently. If you find yourself pressing harder to remove material, creating excessive heat, or burning wood instead of cutting it cleanly, it's probably time for fresh abrasive. As this post demonstrates, a worn disc can lose effectiveness so gradually that you hardly notice until you install a new one.
Can old adhesive be removed from a sanding disc easily?
Usually, yes. Most pressure-sensitive sanding discs peel away with moderate effort. Any remaining adhesive can often be softened with products such as Goof Off or similar adhesive removers before installing a fresh disc. A clean backing plate helps the new abrasive adhere evenly and reduces vibration during use.
Why is a narrow belt sander useful?
A one-inch belt can reach areas that larger belt sanders cannot. It's especially useful for shaping curves, refining small parts, cleaning up inside corners, and handling delicate woodworking projects where removing too much material too quickly would be a disadvantage.
Why keep digital copies of tool manuals?
Digital manuals make it much easier to locate maintenance information, replacement part numbers, wiring diagrams, and operating instructions years after purchasing a tool. Having them organized in one place also saves time when a project unexpectedly requires adjustments, repairs, or replacement accessories.
Keywords
Delta 31-080, belt disc sander, benchtop belt sander, woodworking tools, shop tools, sanding disc replacement, Delta sander manual, workshop equipment, My Tools series, House 173