Linisher

[Keith_W]

I recently met someone who recommended a linisher for woodworking. For those who don't know, a linisher is a combined belt and disc sander. This is what it looks like: 

 

 

The belt can be either stiff or floppy, and has a useful curve for sanding concave surfaces. I was told that it can also be used to taper dowels for masts. On top of its use with models, it can also be used to sharpen knives and garden tools. Use a polishing belt and some cutting compound, and it can polish metal. 

 

I have never seen this machine come up for discussion on this forum. I was wondering if someone owns one and can provide feedback as to how this machine compares with other common machines on this site (lathes, mills) for various tasks - for example: shaping planks and tapering dowels?

[jud]

Can see several uses for it for different applications, should be a useful tool in any shop.  Because of the way it would be used and the environment it would create when used, I would want some very good sealed bearings that are easy to change. Perhaps a shop Vac system would make it nicer to be around.

jud

[michael mott]

I have one that I never used much, the belt wandered a bit and they were expensive mine was a pedestal model a craftsman. I cannot remember how I came by it even The disc sander is ok, however I did not like the way the table was mounted (basically a shaft sticking out of the cast base. I prefer a more solid table. I used it for rough work when I did used it. The drums at each end of the belt part are slightly barreled in shape to keep the belt centered.

 

I converted mine to a pedestal table that has a bench grinder and at one end and a wire wheel and buffing wheel at the other I took off the disc.

 

 

Not a very positive recommendation for sure, but they are useful for some applications I would not recommend it for modelmaking though, it is a bit of a brute.

 

This is of course just my opinion, I am sure there are those who use them all the time for general woodwork.

 

Michael

Edited December 10, 2013 by michael mott

[NMBROOK]

I used to use one daily where I used to work.It was used for cleaning edges on steel plates!!!!Personally I think the large belt may be a bit overkill for modelling as I wouldn't describe it as an accurate tool.Whenever I shaped wood on ours,even just reshafting a hammer,it had a bad habit of burning the wood.The disc sander yes,but I would only use the belt for the roughest of jobs.

Kind Regards Nigel

[mtaylor]

I have a smaller version of that from the local home supply store.  It's the same as the picture which the one MicroMark sells but Lowe's had it on sale for a lot less.

 

Very handy and works very well. I think that for what we do, many times smaller is better.  Drill presses and scroll saws are a different critter, however.

 

[Keith_W]

I had a look at a Linisher in a tool supply store. The finest grit that they had was 240. What the others said about this machine seems to be right - it is a little too industrial and too aggressive to be used for making delicate parts. I suspect it would grind a plank into sawdust in a single pass. Perhaps there are more hobby grade Linishers around? Like Mark's?

[Yambo]

Mine is very similar - well almost identical - to your's Mark, made (or branded) by Scheppach

 

 

Edited December 11, 2013 by Yambo

[WackoWolf]

I also have one like Marks and Yambo. I got mine at "Harbor Freight". And yes I agree smaller is better for what we use it for. But at the same time everyone has there own preference.

Edited December 11, 2013 by WackoWolf

[AntonyUK]

Hi.

I own a Linisher as you call it

It's similar to Marks and Yambo's

Workers very well and is small enough to place on a shelf when not in use.

Saying that I did a few mods to get a better sand on the disc. Disc was faced to make it paradel to the shaft ( it had a 1.5mm out of square wobble).

Then had it balanced. Now runs a thousands times better.

Also made a new angle slot and new angle setting system. ( slot in original was cast in and rubbish to use )

I do not use the velcro disks .. I use the self adhesive ones.

Saying that -: its a Very usefull machine to have around.

 

Regards Antony.

[WackoWolf]

Antony,

 

   I agree with what you said about having to do updates to it. I like the idea about the Disk, I also use the "Self Adhesive" ones, they work a heck of a lot better. And yes when your not using it just put it on a shelf and it's out of the way.

[Q A's Revenge]

I have a 150mm X 1220mm belt linisher which I normally use for tool sharpening. I sometimes use wood on it as well but it has to be very carefully cleaned afterwards so I can use metal on it again. Failure to do this ends up with sparks setting the sawdust on fire! DAMHIKT.

 

 

Its been heavily modified and I split the belts into three to fit the auxiliary platen I made for it.

 

 

Turning gouge sharpening:

 

 

These type of machines are far too big for model making but the small ones with the 1 inch wide belt that some have shown should be ideal with a fine belt.

[pompey2]

I have a tool similiar to the 'linisher' shown. It is from Sheppach and they call it a 'belt and disc sander.

Good for heavy duty work but I wouldn't use it for anything delicate.

Removes material at a hell of a pace.

 

Nick

[Modeler12]

Apparently there are several different versions of this machine, but all have similar features.

Mine is a Ryobi, but what I like to point out is that the table has a big gap between the disk and work piece; a good place to loose those small pieces.

I ended up using a thin section of birch plywood to solve that issue (as well as for my band and jig saws).

 

To see what I am talking about go a few frames into the following video (ignore the picture that starts the vid):