Hello again.
I’m looking for a benchtop sander for rough shaping. Earlier this summer I got a Rockwell Shop Series 4×36 with 6-inch disk, which was perfect in size and motor power for the kind of work I was doing, but it broke down after two weeks.
Is there a sander currently being made in this size that’s more reliable? I know most of them are clones sold under different brand names and the Shop Series is one of them, I’d like to avoid these if possible given that one already failed me, but would consider another if you know that a particular brand is actually higher-quality than the others despite looking the same.
I’d also like to avoid a secondhand machine. I know the Craftsman gets recommended a lot, but if I get one and it breaks down, it’ll be a complete loss. With a new one, I can at least return it to the store.
I would consider a 6×48 if it’s light enough to at least put on a dolly and take outside (I don’t have an indoor workspace).
Replies
I bought a Ryobi 4x36 five years ago and have been very happy. Some of the reviews I read at the time complained of it chewing up drive belts but I have had no such trouble.
I'm guessing some folks apply too much pressure during sanding when what they really need is a coarser belt. The excess pressure causes the drive belt to slip and soon the belt is destroyed.
Like you say, I've seen what appears to be the exact same machine sold under Menard's house brand.
EDIT: Looking up your Shop Series machine, I see it's virtually identical to my Ryobi. Right down to the 4.3 amp motor. As you said, maybe you would be better served by a larger and more heavy duty machine.
Mike
The jump from 4x36 to 6x48 is substantial. I have a 20+ year-old benchtop Craftsman (sorry) that I would buy again (this one) in a blink today if I came across it. I can't imagine it ever wearing out on home shop use.
A 3/4HP (8A/120V) motor has never bogged on me. The wider belt lets you move around and build less heat and the disc is 9". It even has mediocre dust collection built in. Local CList has a half dozen 6x48 machines from 75-200.
New or used, you'll be happy with the upgrade.
I also have a 15-20 year old craftsman 4x36 with 6" disc. Cast iron base weighs in at over 50 lbs. Hard to find HD models like this these days without paying a premium.
I've been looking at disc and belt sanders. It seems that what is on the market new are a bunch of machines that sell in the less than $200 range, some less than $100. After that they jump to $1000 or more. In the lower range I think that you probably bought one of those and I think they will all be pretty much the same thing. High or low price they will virtually all be Chinese manufactured . Used old iron,like from Craigslist, you can end up with a machine in the under $200 price range that would be equivalent or better maybe than the $1000 + machines offered today. These are pretty simple machines. What can go wrong? Bearings always replaceable, belt driven motor also a easy fix or replace. The only real problem could be in belt tracking which will be made much more substantial on one of those old machines than a cheap new version.
I had a Delta belt/disc sander that was fine, but got only occasional use. Once I started using it more often, it disintegrated. Rather than go through a parade of similar crappy machines, I upgraded to a Jet 6×48 belt/12" disc sander. It was a $1,000 machine at the time, but will outlast 1,000 of the plastic machines. I know it's not exactly the answer you were looking for, but that was my experience with the lightweight machines.
I waited a long time to find à stationary sander and Last winter I saw an add and imediately hooked my traiter to pick à used progress 6 X 108 edge sander built in Toronto , its a tank and since then I cant imagine the time i lost sanding and fitting with a belt sander .
Thank you everyone for the advice.
Right now it sounds like a 6x48 machine from a better-regarded company would be the right choice, although I've looked at a few and they're all upwards of a hundred pounds, which could pose a challenge...
I'm having to stop and save up for college courses over the next few months, so it looks like I'm going to have some time to decide, like it or not. I'll let you know what I settle on.
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