Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 20, 2006 04:41pm | #1

   Gil, are you looking for industrial sanders or consumer models? Crouch, Ritter, Andreou, Extrema are a few commercial brands. There are a variety of options, tilting tables, tilting belts, spindle add ons, etc. Most of the better industrial models are 3 phase. These are not complicated machines, it's usually a choice between options and price. I bought a Crouch 9" on a recommendation from my supplier, $2700 +-. I looked for one with unlimited length capacity. The dust collection hood on the Crouch can be moved out of the way.

   I don't have any experience with consumer models.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   tangomike | Feb 20, 2006 06:34pm | #2

   I've been looking at these machines as well. Shopfox/Grizzly both have new machines that have some nice features for under $1,500, including tilting belt and spindle attachments. I don't have any doubt that these machines will hold up over time, they just aren't that complicated.

1. 
   gjunger | Feb 21, 2006 12:52am | #3

   Thanks. I'll check them out. I am also looking at a General that is NOT oscillating. How important is that?

1. 
   tangomike | Feb 21, 2006 01:13am | #4

   I think the oscillation is a nice feature but it's just a "nice to have" in my book. It does prolong the belt life because you are using more of it as opposed to a stationary belt, but you can also achieve that by repositioning the table and keeping the belt clean. I can't really speak to the quality of the surface it leaves as opposed to a stationary edge sander.One disappointing thing about the spindle attachments is that the spindles do not oscillate (the table oscillates up and down as opposed to the belt itself, that's why the spindles don't) which is probably a more useful feature here than on the belt. I'm actually considering buying a standard grizzly edge sander and at the same time get their oscillating spindle sander.

3. 
   Piccioni | Feb 22, 2006 07:16pm | #5

   I bought a 'Busy Bee' (nonedescript Taiwan/China) model sold by Busy Bee Tools in the snowy North recently. It is a model 2332 (http://busybeetools.com/) a couple months ago after using one to build an infill plane at the Shepard Tool factory.

   They cost C $725. I believe General sells a similar model for more money, of course, and I bet all the low end tool companies sell the same unit.

   It works reall well. Not exactly build like a tank, but I figure if its good enough for the guys at Shepard its good enough for me.

   The major weakness, in my mind, is the U joint mechanism for themotor/oscillator - it'll probably wear out fairly quick.

   I don't fully understand the quality issue. Edge sanders are not a precision instrument, unlike a jointer or planer. Of course, reliability is an issue, but the guys at Shepard use their a lot, and a lot of the work in making a plane is steel, which probably stresses a sander more than wood.

1. 
   gjunger | Feb 22, 2006 07:45pm | #6

   Thanks for the feedback. I think I will get a non-oscillating machine for now. Save a little $$

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 23, 2006 04:24pm | #7

   Non oscillating machines leave straight line grooves in your work from the sandpaper grit. The paper gets hot from the friction which degrades the paper. The belts get worn quickly and can load with waste faster, resulting in burned belts and lumber. If I were to give some feature of a sander up, it would not be oscillation. If you have ever used a small drum sander in a drill press, you know how quickly they load up and wear out.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   gjunger | Feb 23, 2006 06:26pm | #8

   OK OK you are right. I just needed someone to tell me again. An oscillating machine it will be.
   thanks.

4. 
   BenA | Feb 23, 2006 07:35pm | #9

   Ive seen the powermatic one at a industrial wood location on Long Island. Its looks like a sweet machine I think it sold for $4400. see link below. Good luck.

   http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/index.cfm?area=shop&action=detail&iid=78106