Replies

1. 
   Benjamin2016 | Oct 15, 2002 12:21am | #1

   Clayton Machine in Royal Oak, Mi has a benchtop model. It's expensive but it's very good. Your grandchildren's children will be using it.

   Benjamin

   If it ain't American --- it's junk!
2. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 15, 2002 12:24am | #2

   Mike,

   Even the benchtop models?  A recent thread mentioned the Clayton as a top-notch machine, but it's expensive.  I think the PC, Ridgid, Ryobi, et al. are OK for occasional use, but you're working with some mighty hard woods and I'm not sure they'll last too long.  Then again, the Ridgid is guaranteed for life and can also be used as a small stationary belt sander.  If I remember correctly, the criticism of these small units was flex/instability. 

   What about a sanding drum mounted on an arbor?  $20 for the arbor, $5 for the belt, $5 for and old motor, plus another $20 for a drum or two and sanding sleeves and you're set.  I think that would make a better unit than the light duty ones mentioned above.  Woodworker's Supply and others sell all these items.

   Jeff

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 15, 2002 12:43am | #3

   Jeff, I have used a small drum sander in my drill press.  Now using spindle sander sleeves in my lathe mounted on a 3/4" dowel I turned.  I really need the oscillating action and need to free up the lathe.

   My bench top is 42" high.  Time you add the delta or jet OSS on top of that, I would be on my tippie toes!  Plus, they take up to much of a footprint.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_KatyPlaneWood

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 15, 2002 12:55am | #4

   Mike,

   You might as well try the Ridgid then.  I'm assuming you live near a Home Depot.  If it wears out, they can give you a new one.

   Jeff

3. 
   joncu | Oct 15, 2002 01:08am | #5

   I have one, which I mount in my router table.  So far, it has been fine.  I like it.

4. 
   Ricky_Yu | Oct 15, 2002 12:00pm | #6

   I have the P-C 121 and use it almost exclusively in the P-C 698 router table. It sands aggressively enough, but I sometimes get noticeable vibration. If you are going to use your own table, make sure it and the mounting connection are sturdy. The adaptor kit for P-C router table mounting is my biggest hassle. Essentially, after screwing the adaptor onto the sander, I then have to lift and balance this rather heavy unit under my table with one hand and try to align the adaptor's screw holes with the table's screw holes so that I can insert and tighten the machine screws with the other hand. This convoluted process is due to the table's limitation as it was originally designed to be used only with routers. I'm sure you can improve on this by using a drop-in plate. Rockler sells one, but it is easy enough to make your own.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 15, 2002 08:05pm | #7

   Ricky -

   If I get one, I will mount it onto an aluminum plate and have a cutout for it on the top of my workbench.  My workbench is 4'x8' with stations all around the edges.  Basically a big cabinet on wheels.  I keep all my exotic woods inside the cabinet along with the DC piping that goes to each station.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_KatyPlaneWood