Photo Index - Robert A. Martin Co. (RAMCO) - Widebelt sander model 25T series 72

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Robert A. Martin Co. (RAMCO)
Harvey, IL

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	25"w belt/ 24" wide work capacity
Submitted By:	stephen thomas

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Widebelt sander model 25T series 72
Date of Manufacturer:	May 1975
Serial Number:
Last Updated	5/6/2005 12:55:08 AM

Comments:

Acquired as a lot of 2 machines at a metal working machinery dealer clearance auction in Syracuse, NY, fall of 2004. One machine was (marginally) running, other was a parts machine. Auctioneer could not raise a bid so I helped out by waving my hand as he was about to throw in the towel....

Worst wear issue was the bed, which was wallered out into a wide trough almost 1/16" deep at the front center of the entry side. I scraped the table flat over a "several" day period. Judging by the remaining blanchard grinding marks contrasting with the spotting from the surface plate used to indicate for scraping, apparently, the original grinding had been none too flat, either. It is now. The mechanisms which spring load and guide the hold down rollers is poorly designed, and there was remachining and selective assembly required. Apparently the sander may have been retired when the guides got sloppy and the rollers began deviating enough to hit the sanding belt under load, flatting them. It was here that the spare parts machine proved invaluable. Plus all the extra control parts for both the pneumatic and electric system. It took some time to sort, repair, and baseline the pneumatic system; but despite the spotty reputation of air tracking, it works well. Nevertheless, it's an airhog, and a retrofit to a more modern electric eye system is being contemplated.

New bearings and bearing housings were fit to the contact drum. After the other repairs, machining work, and systems were sorted, the bed was aligned to the drum shaft (axle). Then the contact drum was ground to the bed as per factory described procedure. After the drum was straight and round, the conveyor was re-installed, a new 100 grit sanding belt mounted, and the conveyor was kissed off to bring it flat and parallel with the drum.

The machine can be operated as a light abrasive planer with the platen out, or as a finish sander with it installed. However, it is either in or out; there is no adjustment in use as with later machines. (The platen support/carrier can be adjusted for initial set up as desired. But the procedure is done in the machine with the belt off and indicators to the bed to keep the carrier frame parallel) OTOH, since 2 platens are available, it seems that they could be set up for 2 different applications or contact heights and readily interchanged.

The RAMCO came with a 20HP motor; but after about the 6th start, blew the breaker on the pole pig, requiring a visit from the power company. So I replaced it with a 15HP, and it now starts fast, smooth, and with minimal light dimming.

My interest in acquiring the machine was to thickness shop sawn veneers and bending laminae, as well as finish sand flat trim, ceiling boarding, drawer sides stock, stair risers and face stringers, and similar solid wood millwork. With the platen, the machine can also finish sand small or narrow assemblies such as cabinet doors, within the somewhat limited width capacity.

Part of the appeal of this particular machine for me was that I had visually assumed it was a 75" long belt. The advantage of a 75" belt over the common 60" size is cooler sanding and longer durability, perhaps even more so than the extra 25% length would suggest. After dragging it home, the machine turned out to be somewhat of an oddball, though: the factory designed length was 72"! Guess they had not yet standardized in 1975. Fortunately, custom belts in that size don't cost any more, proportionate to length, though minimum quantities apply. Another feature that would have been useful in the past was a large opening, which is not very common on sanders anymore. This will take up to about 13" workpiece height..."just in case".

Photo 1:

Comments: outfeed side
Source: my camera

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Photo 2:

Comments: infeed side. The sheetmetal for this side was left off so the belt can be watched on start up. Open access also makes it easier to keep the machine clean inside.
Source: my camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: "And miles to go..." About 3/4 done scraping the bed flat. There's still a lot of material to remove. Still rough scraping, i.e., moving off as much material as possible with every stroke. Finesse (finish bearing and "appearance") will come later.
Source: my camera

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