Benchtop Belt/Disk Sander recommendation

[Bigdog72]

I am thinking I need one of these belt/disk combos. Can anyone tell me what they like and how they use this tool?

[sapwood]

Geoff,
I've had a small one for a number of years and found I use it sparingly. Although I don't own one, I've become very intrigued with the Ridgid OSS unit. It's about twice the price of the small belt/disk sanders (4" belt, 6" disk) and one half the price of the larger belt/disk sanders.

So you've asked an excellent question and I, too, look forward to the responses of the pros!

Roger

[Ray Martin]

I think there are a couple of questions to ask yourself... same kind of stuff you would think before any tool purchase. What are the things you will do with the tool? The Ridgid oscillating sander that Roger mentioned is a bit different than many of the others on the market. The spindle part is good for cleaning up curved parts. The belt would be more appropriate for cleaning up a straight line, or cleaning to a line. Either will remove saw marks. These can be used for overall shaping, like other types of belt or disk sander.

Looking at these sanding tools in a very simplistic fashion, you might clean up a curve with a spindle, clean or shape the end of a piece with a disc sander and clean or shape the side of a piece with a belts sander.

The oscillating function means a slightly more random sanding and therefore a smoother surface. It also means that you will use more of the surface of the abrasive belt (less waste).

I would check to see how available the abrasive materials are. You can get locked into one supplier with consumables that are highly idiosyncratic to the tool.

It all comes down to what you want to use the machine for.

Ray

[Makinsawdust]

I'm with Ray on this one. What you want to do with it? I have the Delta SA-180 and SA-446. I also have the Ridgid OS/edge sander. They do differ things. The SA-180 is best at sharpening on the 1" belt and the disk is 8" is better than the 6" disk on the SA-446. The SA-446 4" belt is better for sanding wood items and a 6" belt sander would be even more useful. The Ridgid OS/Edge sander is better for shaping small things and it leaves no swirl marks like a disk does. If you need to do straight edge sanding on boards greater than about 8" you will need a larger edge sander.
Rob

[JimmyC]

I have an OSS and a 6"belt/9" disc combo. They are different horses. As far as the belt /disc combo, my first was a HF special and a piece of garbage (never tracked right), but now I've got a Grizzly on a stand. The belt/disc combo is used more for shaping than sanding. I use it alot after I bandsaw rough. It is great for rounding corners, and tapering edges also. It's kind of like owning a grinding wheel, you never really know how much you use it until you have it.

The OSS is great for finish sanding edge, and that's about all that I have used it for.

Good Luck,
Jimmy

[DaveO]

I had a Delta Shopmaster disk/belt combo that I replaced with the Ridgid OSS/edge sander. I really wanted a disk and OSS combo unit, but the only one available was a big Griz machine that was out of my budget. The OSS is great for inside curved work, but a disk sander is best for outside curve work. The Ridgid edge sander will work OK as a replacement for the disk, but seeing as it's mode of travel is off to the side vs. down to the table you might launch a few more work-pieces than with a disk I still keep the old Delta unit around because there are a few things that I can only do on a horizontal belt that I can do on the edge sander.
If it is in your budget I would look to this machine -
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Spindle-Sander/G0529 I think it offers the best functions. If not the Ridgid - http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Oscillat...r/EN/index.htm is a heck of a good value.
MTCW,
Dave

[JimmyC]

Dave,
I never noticed that Griz model before, but I do believe that you're right about it being an almost ideal compromise. Especially with the 12" disc, that's a great combo.

Jimmy

[gator]

If I ever trade up from the one I have now, I'm thinking of this one:

http://www.rikontools.com/productpage_50-120.htm

I like the idea of the belt being totally above the disc so that you can use the full length of the belt and move your piece from side to side without hitting the disc.

I haven't done close comparisons yet as the time is not ripe, but it will be on my look list.

George

[Travis Porter]

I'm with Roger. I find I use mine sparingly at most. I don't have a bench model, but I do have a floor model 12" disc and 6x48 belt. Personally, I rarely use the disc and am now of the opinion I would rather have an oscillating edge sander (large size of course). Still, I have been quite intrigued with the rigid OSS/belt combo and wouldn't mind trading up to it from my Delta BOSS.

[Bigdog72]

Thanks for all the info guys! From the sounds of it, I should wait for all these unused machines to go up for sale.

[NC Scroller]

Originally Posted by Bigdog72

I am thinking I need one of these belt/disk combos. Can anyone tell me what they like and how they use this tool?

Geoff, not a table top unit but the asking price for this is not much more.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/652516011.html

[Bigdog72]

Originally Posted by NC Scroller

Geoff, not a table top unit but the asking price for this is not much more.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/652516011.html

Thanks for the tip but I really don't have the floor space. I thought about a benchtop so that I could store in my future Norm's mitre station.

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by Bigdog72

Thanks for the tip but I really don't have the floor space. I thought about a benchtop so that I could store in my future Norm's mitre station.

You're in construction for Land's sakes. Build a bigger shop.

Jimmy

[Canuck]

A bit of drive for ya, but this one looks to be not too bad and maybe he will cut ya a deal!

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/653094540.html

HTH

Wayne

[Bigdog72]

Originally Posted by JimmyC

You're in construction for Land's sakes. Build a bigger shop.

Jimmy

You really know how to hurt a guy! SWMBO says "not in this lifetime"!!