Sand-Papering Machines

Sand-papering machines are of comparatively recent introduction in wood working establishments, but are found very efficient in finishing surfaces that were formerly finished by hand labor.

Fig. 3231 represents a sand-papering machine, by P. Pryibil, in which a spindle has three stepped cones on one end, and a parallel roller or cylinder at the other. The steps on the spindle are covered with a rubber sleeve, and the sand paper is cut to a template, and the edges brought together and joined by gluing a strip of tough paper under them. When this has become dry the paper is slightly dampened everywhere except at the joint, and is then slipped on the taper drums. In drying it shrinks and becomes tight and smooth upon the rubber covering with which the drums are provided. These are of different sizes to fit different curves in the work.

Flat work is done upon the table, which is hinged and provided with an adjusting screw to regulate its height, and it can be raised to give access to the drum.

When sand paper is applied in this way, every grain is brought into contact with the work, whereas at first only the larger grains cut when it is used on the faces of revolving discs, as in some machines of this class. Furthermore, when used on drums it is offered ample opportunity to clear itself of dust; it therefore does not become clogged, and, as a consequence, it lasts longer and does more and better work than when used on discs.

Fig. 3232 represents a similar machine, but having a spindle vertical also, so that one face of the work can be laid on the table, which acts as a guide to keep the work square, the table surface being at a right angle to the vertical spindle.

The vertical cylinder or drum is split on one side, and provided with internal cones, so, that by screwing down the nut shown the drum can be expanded to tightly grip the sand paper, which is glued and put on as already described.

Besides these rotary motions, these drums receive a slow vertical motion, the amount of which is variable at the operator’s pleasure. This provides for using the full face of the drum on narrow work, while it prevents the formation of ridges or grooves in the work.

For sand-papering true flat surfaces the flat table is provided, there being beneath it a parallel revolving drum, whose perimeter just protrudes through the upper surface of the table. The surface of the table thus serves as a guide to steady the work while the sand-papering is proceeding.

By using sand paper in this manner, every grain of the sand is brought into contact with the work; furthermore, a small area of sand paper is brought into contact with the work, and the wood fibre can fly off and not lodge in the sand paper; while at the same time the angles of the grains of sand or glass are presented more acutely to the work, and therefore cut more freely and easily. Hence the sand paper lasts much longer, because a given pressure is less liable to detach the sand from the paper.

The machine is constructed entirely of iron, and the drum is intended to revolve at about 800 revolutions per minute.

Fig. 3233 represents a sand-papering machine in which a long parallel cylinder is employed, the work resting on the surface of the table and being fed by hand. In using a machine of this class the work should be distributed as evenly as possible along all parts of cylinder, or one end of the cylinder may become worn out while the other is yet sharp; this would incapacitate the machine for wide work unless a new covering of sand paper were applied.

Fig. 3234 represents a sand-papering machine constructed by J. A. Fay & Co., for finishing doors and similar work. The frame constitutes a universal joint enabling the sand paper disc to be moved anywhere about the door by hand. An exhaust fan on the top of the main column removes the dust from the work surface. The head carrying the disc is moved vertically in a slideway to suit different thicknesses of work.

VOL. II. SANDING MACHINES. Plate XXVII.

Fig. 3235 represents a self-feeding sand-papering machine constructed by J. A. Fay & Co. It is made in three sizes, to work material either 24′′, 30′′, or 36′′ wide by 4′′ thick and under; it has a powerful and continuous feed, and gives to the lumber a perfect surface by once passing it through the machine.

The feeding mechanism consists of six rollers, in three pairs, driven by a strong train of gearing. The upper feeding rollers, with the pressure rollers over the drum are lifted together in a perfect plane by the movement of four raising screws, operated by a chain and hand wheel. The lower feeding rollers always remain in perfect line with the drums.

It is supplied with two polishing cylinders, placed in the body of the machine, on which the upper frame rests, both having a vibratory lateral motion for removing lines made by irregularities in the sand paper. The finishing cylinder is placed so that the discharging rollers carry the lumber from it, thus running through and finishing one board, if desired, without another following, and these rollers are arranged for a vertical adjustment to suit the dressed reduction on the material to be worked. The roughing cylinder carries a coarse grade of sand paper, and the finishing one a finer grade. They may be driven in opposite or in the same direction, as may be necessary. The lower frame is hinged at each end to the upper frame, so that by removing a pin, either cylinder can be reached by raising the frame with the screw and worm gear, operated by a hand wheel at the end of the machine.

A brush attachment (not shown in the cut) is now placed at the end of the machine just beyond the finishing cylinder, which is a most complete device for brushing the material clean after it leaves the sand-papering cylinders.

Fig. 3236 represents a double wheel sanding machine by J. A. Fay & Co.

This machine is intended for accurately finishing the tread of the wheel ready for the tire, and is one of the most useful and labor-saving machines that can be placed in a wheel shop.

The frame is built entirely of iron, and has a heavy steel arbor running in long bearings, with tight and loose pulleys in the centre. On each end of the arbor is a large sand paper disc for polishing the tread of the rim.

The wheel to be finished is laid on a rotating carrying frame, having two upright drivers. These are attached to a jointed swinging frame, with flexible connections, adjustable to suit wheels of varying diameters.

The first section of the jointed frame is driven by a shaft and bevel gears, and swings upon it. The second one has the wheel-carrying frame, and swings upon the extreme end of the first one, and is driven from it by a chain connection.

A roller wheel is secured at the bottom of the leg, affording a floor support; also a chain to regulate the proper distance of the wheel from the discs.

A wrought iron supporting frame is attached upon each side of the sand paper discs, adjustable for different sizes.

The wheel when placed in the machine is carried by the gearing against the sand paper discs, which finishes the tread in the most accurate and perfect manner.

Machines are made both single and double. The latter are the most desirable, as the operator has only to place a wheel in position on one side, when it feeds and takes care of itself.

By the time this is done, the wheel on the opposite side will be finished and ready to be removed, when a fresh one is put in, and the operation continued, the only care required being to put in and remove them. Its capacity is 150 set of wheels per day, and it will do the work better than can be done by hand.