Thread: Light Duty Metal Linisher

I note that H&F are having a sale next week and I thought this might be an opportunity to acquire a small light-duty bench-mounted metal linisher.

I need to straighten cuts, clean off burrs, clean metal for painting and fine-finish some items for presentation ( Eg: side rods on model locomotives ).

Would something like the Scheppach bts900x do the job ?

Are belts and disks suitable for metal available ?

Happy machining,
John

Originally Posted by electrosteam

I note that H&F are having a sale next week and I thought this might be an opportunity to acquire a small light-duty bench-mounted metal linisher.

I need to straighten cuts, clean off burrs, clean metal for painting and fine-finish some items for presentation ( Eg: side rods on model locomotives ).

Would something like the Scheppach bts900x do the job ?

Are belts and disks suitable for metal available ?

Happy machining,
John

Hi John,
I have 2 here that are similar and wouldn't recommend them. They are under power 1/2 HP (if that is even true HP) and more suited to small timber work. If I push anything but gentle on mine they will slow down and start over heating. The belts are available from H&F's.

I know it's a lot dearer at $439, but the BS 48 would be the one for steel and with 2 horse power will keep going all day if you wanted to. H&F's also stock these belts.
Even though the belts will be more expensive for the larger machine, they will last longer because they will be going the right speed all the time and are longer.
They are usually $495 so it's not a bad price on special.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L1185

Here is a link to the belts
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Linishing-Belts

Other than that one the multitool linishers are excellent, but at $215-$299 they are expensive and will tie up one side of your bench grinder.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Linishing-Attachments

Dave

Hi John,

I agree with Dave, if it's a small bench mounted linisher, here's another option for small clean-up type jobs, I use a disc sander for light linishing type jobs,


https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L131
I've got 3 of them, (the ones above) as well and a bigger woodworking linisher (belt sander), and a Parken belt linisher. The disc's last well enough, probably not as well as belts, but they don't take up much space.

If it's deburring and polishing type jobs, then a scotch-brite wheel on a bench grinder works well, and a polishing mop on a washing machine motor works well.

You can also get scotch-brite belts..

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by Dave J

Other than that one the multitool linishers are excellent, but at $215-$299 they are expensive and will tie up one side of your bench grinder.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Linishing-Attachments

I mistakenly always considered the multitool linishers as a bit of a toy but recently I was given one on a barely used Abbot and Ashby grinder and have changed my mind about them. Two things I really like about this set up is how quite the grinder is compared to most other linisher motors and fact that it takes up relatively little room. I have a scotchbrite wheel I plan to put on the other side but the LH threaded nut is missing - anyone know where to get these from?

You would never regret buying a multitool, they are a very versatile machine.

Guys, as usual, great advice.

The Abbot & Ashby Multitool with 36 x 2 in belt is $381, less than the BS48 at $439.

I 'think' I need a disc and it would be nice to have a third grinding wheel on hand ( I already have an old A&A 8 inch bench grinder).
The mitre table and/or the chisel attachment can come later, if required.

Does the multitool cause excessive vibration that would make the wheel on the other end not usable for grinding tools ?

John.

Mine did vibrate a bit at first. I had to spend a bit of time getting everything centred nicely. No problems after that. Main issue I think was the ancient grinder I put it on.

Hi John,
Just remember the BS48 is 100mm wide and you can use the flat surface on top for longer things. In the picture it shows the cover on it.

As for a disk sander, when I was about 17 my grandfather gave me one and it was just made out of an electric motor with a 8 inch pulley on it. He then drilled holes though the pulley for 3 screws and screwed a piece of round ply to it and the disk's get glued to it with standard PVA glue.
I made up 2 wheels and pulleys so I was using one while the other cured. I would put the glue the ply then lay it face down on the paper on the bench with a weight on it, and to get them off you rip what you can then use a wood chisel to remove the rest.
The frame and table was just a simple set up out of angle iron and a piece of melamine board.

I have made up a few of these over the years for people and they work great, but if you want quick change you would need Velcro disk's.

Dave

i have a multi tool spare i may part with it if you are looking

Another vote for the Multitool. I have one on the end of one of my Abbott and Ashby "industrial" bench grinders (IIRC they do a lighter duty grinder), and they're a terrific combination. I absolutely flog the guts out of that little linisher! Very rarely would I do any work in the workshop without using it at least some stage. In fact I rarely use a grinding wheel, though yes the one on the other end is perfectly useable. Changing belts is extremely fast, and that's important to me as I'm constantly swapping between belts of different grits and a collection of scotchbrite belts of different grades. The belts are a common size and seem easy to buy. I think of all the tools in the workshop, this is the one I would singly use the most and I would be completely lost without it. I've been tempted to look at more "serious" linishers, but for most of what I do it's hard to justify anything else.

Pete

I like the Multitool as well. I've got 1 at my Sydney house and 1 down here because the things are so handy.

I find it easier to sharpen drill bits etc on the linisher than I do on a grinding wheel FWIW. Better sight line for older eyes though anything smaller than 6mm is really beyond me these days.

PDW

I just have to say it.
When I sold my business the first thing to go with me was the Multitool. I can't speak highly enough of them. Mine even works well on a 6 inch Abbott and Ashby.

Phil

Azzrock,
Thanks for the offer, I am in Sydney - a bit far from you I think.
Send me a PM if you think transport could be arranged.

Guys,
With recommendations like the above, I think some of my funds will be heading to H&F.

John.

do you think combo machines like this 6" BENCH GRINDER AND 2" LINISHER WITH WORKLIGHT | eBay are any good or would i be better off buying an 8 inch bench grinder and saving up to but a mulittool

Originally Posted by BobL

I mistakenly always considered the multitool linishers as a bit of a toy but recently I was given one on a barely used Abbot and Ashby grinder and have changed my mind about them. Two things I really like about this set up is how quite the grinder is compared to most other linisher motors and fact that it takes up relatively little room. I have a scotchbrite wheel I plan to put on the other side but the LH threaded nut is missing - anyone know where to get these from?

Bob
Spares are available through the distributors. J. W. Ross & Sons (Australia) Haven't dealt with them recently but did a few years ago and they were quite efficient.
Garry