Replies

1. 
   joespehar | Oct 21, 2006 11:46pm | #1

   The Ridgid is a very good machine for the price. WoodNet Forum members had a lot to say about it a while back.

2. 
   zinfella | Oct 22, 2006 12:42am | #2

   The issue with the Rigid is the small spindle size. The Delta is OK, but not well made. The best of the lot, by far, is the Jet. If you get the 3" spindle for the Jet it will handle large radius curves as easily as it handles the smaller radius curves.

3. 
   douglas2cats | Oct 22, 2006 01:15am | #3

   I've been satisfied with the BOSS. I've had mine for maybe 5 yrs now and no problems other than a minor beef with the rough knurled surface on the bottom of the spindle. It tends to chew up the rubber sleeves around the hole. It's easily solved by slipping a washer on first though. The dust collection port does a pretty decent job, even just hooked to a regular shop-vac. I've never used the Ridgid so cant give you much help there.

    

    

   If you build it he will come.

4. 
   BruceS | Oct 22, 2006 01:41am | #4

   I have used both,  Delta Boss and the Jet.  And the Jet is by far superior, but plan on leaving it put and not mobile.  That little bugger weighs about three times the Delta Boss,  and with that weight she really runs smooth.  Also the insert rings and body casing are steel and not plastic.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

5. 
   woodensplinter | Oct 22, 2006 01:55am | #5

   I would really give consideration to what your ultimate need is.  I've had the Ridgid sander for a couple of years now.  The belt rarely comes off.  If I had purchased a spindle sander only, I would have been disapointed.  Can't comment on the Boss, having never used on.

1. 
   methowmountainman | Oct 22, 2006 07:58am | #8

   I'm going to be using the machine for profile sanding on electric guitar bodies mostly, but I was thinking that the belt sander function might be a lot more convenient than clamping my poor belt sander in the bench vice! Weight and portability are also considerations as my shop is small. I've looked at these machines in the store display, but without actually using one I don't know happy I'll be with it.
   How about durability? You said that you have hade your's for a couple of years... How much do you use it, how hard are you working it?
   Thanks for your input.

1. 
   rompus62 | Oct 22, 2006 08:22am | #9

   The clayton spindle sander is by far the best of the current sanders. My buddy is a shop teacher and those kids are HARD on it and it hasn;nt missed a beat for years. It is american made but pricey, 700 bucks for the bench top

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Oct 23, 2006 05:41am | #15

   I have the Bridgewood spindle sander.  Haven't used any other make but can't imagine anything working better.  Absolutely no vibration but it is very heavy.  You will need a cart if you need to move it.  Have had it for quite a few years but I think it cost some seven to eight hundred on sale.  They also have one for about three thousand.  Can't imagine why one would need it.

1. 
   zinfella | Oct 23, 2006 09:09pm | #16

   The Jet spindle sander used to be sold as the Powermatic spindle sander, it is very well made. Jet uses steel gears encased in oil, not plastic gears like some others. The Jet unit will very likely out live it's owners. I got the 3" spindle for mine and that really makes this unit hard to beat.

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Oct 24, 2006 05:54am | #18

   By three inch, are you refering to the length of spindle?  I don't know what mine is but it seems to be long enough to fit all the drums.

2. 
   zinfella | Oct 24, 2006 08:05am | #19

   No, I mean the diameter of the spindle. The larger size is great for larger radius curves.

3. 
   tinkerer2 | Oct 25, 2006 05:13am | #25

   diameter of spindle  --  Is that what I call diameter of the drum?  Yes, it much easier to get a good smooth job if the drum diameter is only slightly smaller that the diameter of the workpiece hole.

4. 
   tommyp | Oct 25, 2006 01:10am | #23

   i have a sears osc. spindle  sander that was given to me the problem is that it doesnt have the rubber inserts that hold the sanding tubes i guess they are about 3"tall i have the 2" rubber but am looking for the rest. sears web site offers no help any ideas out there the sander workrs well

5. 
   dgreen | Oct 25, 2006 01:35am | #24

   Delta sells a set of rubber drums for their sander, you might check and see if the id is the same as yours.

   http://www.deltamachinery.com/index.asp?e=139&p=2054 ------------------------------------

    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer (1891)

6. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Oct 27, 2006 05:22am | #26

   T, check out the Sears hardware sites near you, a great amount of their stuff was Roybi. Do not go to Sears parts as their prices and shipping will be like a mortage payment. (ask me how I know-do you wan't to see the scars?) Call the Roybi parts folks-better prices and shipping- order a few , see if they are corect then go for it. Pat

7. 
   tommyp | Oct 27, 2006 08:22pm | #27

   thank you all for the responses

3. 
   woodensplinter | Oct 24, 2006 10:42pm | #20

   I'd love to lie and tell you that I've put my sander throught a rugged torture test almost daily but that isn't the case.  The longest single use it got was sanding the slats from a garden bench.  That took a number of hours.  The rest of the time it gets pretty light use.  What I do like is the control it allows when shaping, i.e. sanding to a line.  This isn't possible with a portable machine.

   As for space:  I can't see it aking up any more room than spindle sanders.

   Down sides:  Dust collection could be improved.  It's not horrible but I think it could be better when using the belt.  When using spindles, I use the next size larger table insert, which improves collection considerably.

   Bottom line:  I use it; I like it; it works for me.  Hopefully there's someone in your neck of the woods that will allow you to try one.  There's no beating hands on.

4. 
   hammer1 | Oct 25, 2006 12:51am | #21

   Electric guitars often have quite a few large contours. This type of sander might be something you would like.
   http://www.sand-rite.com/touchup.htmlBeat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   dgreen | Oct 25, 2006 01:06am | #22

   For large contours I have found the larger diameter inflatable drums to be very good. The trouble with a small diameter drum on a large contour is that it's hard to get a fair curve. The closer the drum matches the contour the easier it is to get a good result.------------------------------------

    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer (1891)

6. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 22, 2006 03:35am | #6

   I won a Delta BOSS in a raffle a few years ago. It's light enough to easily hoist, and has performed reasonably well.

   When it finally gives up the ghost, I'll likely buy a Clayton or a used "industrial quality" model.

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

7. 
   OB | Oct 22, 2006 04:41am | #7

   The best of the lot, by far, is the Jet.

   My money & Vote went to Jet.

   My vote prior to that went to a Grizzly G1014Z because it is all cast iron unlike one of the Delta machines that is pot metal, sheet metal & plastic. At that time the Grizzly Combo sander was $100 less & a whole lot more sander than the Delta.

   The Delta I am speaking of is the combo sander on the right.

    

   Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/21/2006 9:42 pm by OB

   
8. 
   beaverhausen | Oct 22, 2006 11:25pm | #10

   Just got the Ridgid, using it mainly with the belt for cleaning up miter joints etc, some spindle sanding on inside curves. Very impressed with the machine for the price, esp. the ability to zero the critical adjustments. 200 well spent, imo.

9. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 23, 2006 01:25am | #11

   Dear M,
   I reluctantly bought the Ridgid. I say reluctantly because I pretty much have sworn off tools from HD. That being said, it seems pretty good. I have used the belt sander pretty much exclusively to clean up a couple of hundred pieces. Seven hours or better a day for probably a week straight with no problems.

   Best,

   John

10. 
    Woodmaster1776 | Oct 23, 2006 03:33am | #12

    I bought the Jet a year or two ago after reading excellent customer reviews at Amazon. I returned a Rigid oscilating sander to Home Depot which also had a belt sander on the same unit--all for only $199. Great idea, but it wasn't made for precision work--aluminum table instead of cast iron, plastic base, etc. Put the refund towards the Jet. At the time, with free shipping and an Amazon instant rebate, the Jet only cost $125 more then the Rigid. When I lifted the unit out of the box the difference was amazing. So much cast iron and heavy metal compared to the plastic and aluminum of the Rigid. A serious piece of precision machinery. Been very happy with the purchase. If budget considerations permit, I'd suggest also ordering the extra cost 3 inch spindle.

    After checking out the BOSS I passed because it carries the Delta ShopMaster label. Having purchased other ShopMaster equipment, the failure rate has been 100%. Although Delta made repairs under warranty, it was not without having to contact Delta directly to have them assist their local authorized service center--and being without the equpment for 1-2 months.

    Bob

11. 
    Ray | Oct 23, 2006 04:44am | #13

    I got a Rigid when they were first introduced, needed one in a hurry and didn't have a lot of money to put into tools at the time.  Belt tracking is a PITA (maybe it's better now) and it doesn't have an excess of power   don't get in a hurry.  That said, it has a dust extraction port that hooks to a shop vac, and is really reliable.  I used it to clean up a lot of homemade Victorian Gingerbread for our house.  Darned thing just won't quit so I can justify a better one :-)

1. 
   bww_maryland | Oct 23, 2006 05:17am | #14

   wmh from amazon (w/ free shipping and $25 off $150 promo) seems well reviewed.  It appears identical to the grizzly.

    

12. 
    tms | Oct 23, 2006 10:05pm | #17

    Hey Nolan,

    I've had a BOSS for about three years now, and have given it a pretty good workout. I've had good results and no failures. I bought it because it was compact and fit on the benchtop.

    Let us know what you end up with and why.

    Tom

13. 
    methowmountainman | Oct 31, 2006 05:46am | #28

    I want to thank you all for you input and opinions. I ended up getting the Ridged Spindle sander, partially because of availability, and partially because I had a burning desire to buy a tool when I was at Home Depot.:)
    (Yep I'm one of those people!) I think I like to work with wood because of all the cool tools!
    I've only done some preliminary work with this tool. I think I'll be happy with it, but I still question the durability of this tool.(Lots of plastic parts) But considering the end users that Home Depot is intending this machine for, and the level of use they figured that this tool would get, I think that it is fairly well made.
    I would have liked to purchase an industrial level tool, but I don't have the room or budget for that kind of purchase right now.
    Thanks again to all who posted.

    Nolan