With things the way they are with the economy, more and more woodworkers are looking to get the most use out of the tools they already have, which is why I created this simple base fixture that transforms a standard portable belt sander into a small horizontal benchtop sander. “Use a square rule to ensure that the sander is completely level, if it isn’t save some wood scrap to prop up the end until it has leveled out. To build the fixture, start by cutting out a base plate from 1/2″ or 3/4″ plywood or MDF that’s 14″ wide and 6″ to 8” longer than the length of your belt sander. Set your sander atop the base plate with the open side of the belt rollers facing up, and position the belt platen parallel to the long edge of the base.
I built a small belt sander jig and included on the end of the review for the oscillating sander but never really went into the details of how to build it. Make sure to have this piece wrap around the front of the sander so that you can use the curve of the belt as a spindle sander. If you’re in need of a new belt sander, the RIDGID 3×18 Heavy Duty Variable Speed Belt Sander can be found at the Home Depot for $99.97 and the Porter Cable 3″ X 21″ Variable-Speed Belt Sander 352VS can be found at Amazon for $169..
When needing to take off just a little material from a piece of trim that has a mitered or 90° edge, use this simple jig, modeled after a rafter square. Secure the jig tightly against the edge of the belt sander’s table during use. Or if your sander has a miter slot, build the jig with a runner to fit the slot.
belt sander jig plans Related Question:
Can you turn a belt sander upside down?
It’s possible to clamp a belt sander upside down and freehand your finish carpentry tweaks, but you’ll probably get better results if your sander is firmly and reliably attached using a sanding stand.
Can you make your own belt sander?
Building a belt sander is a relatively simple project. You will need to gather some basic materials, such as a motor, pulleys, belts, and bearings.