This new Craftsman Spindle Sander was able to easily sand any curve I threw at it. A 1-in.-travel, 30-strokes-per-minute, vertical spindle oscillation keeps the coated abrasive from loading up with sawdust, resulting in reduced heat and longer abrasive life. The 18-in.-dia. cast-iron tabletop provides adequate support and the round shape provides a consistent space from the drum to the edge of the table at any angle, eliminating the variable distance of a square table and the resulting inconsistent support. However, the table doesn’t tilt, useful when sanding beveled edges. I still consider the Ridgid EB4424 to be the best of the small spindle sanders. The list price for the Craftsman 351.215000 is $280 (www.sears.com).

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