Replies

1. 
   jonweis59923 | Sep 07, 2002 12:44am | #1

   I've had this particular machine for about 2 years and it has given me good service.  The spindle feature is nice and works well.  The belt itself is a little on the short side and would be much better if it were longer.  The tracking on the belt is a little touchy and you may find yourself chasing it for a time until you get it set correctly.  Dust collection is pretty good but could be better.  All in all it's a good little machine with some drawbacks but quite usable.

   Jon

   "Knot's to you"

   http://www.wood-workers.com/~jonweis

1. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 07, 2002 02:39am | #2

   Thanks.  This is just the kind of straight talk I was looking for.  On a scale of 1-10, 1 being boat anchor catagory and 10 drop dead tool of the decade, I read this as about a 4 or 5.  Thanks again.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 07, 2002 08:15am | #3

   I've not used one of these machines, but in looking at the various features it has relative to the price (compare, say, to a Delta Boss), I'd have guessed a 6 or 7 at least.  Ya think?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 10, 2002 05:12am | #8

   Really enjoy reading your threads, F.G..  After an "up close and personel" examination of one, I don't think I would go any higher than a 5.  Maybe I'm just too fussyand expect to much.  Maybe its really a great rig .  I'd like to hear from someone that's had one in steady use  for a year or two.  Keep up the good threads.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 10, 2002 05:37am | #10

   Looks like you've gotten some input from real-life users here.  I like the idea of getting opinions "on a scale of 1 to 10" -- gives the feedback some teeth, as it were.

   I've always been amazed at how expensive anything that oscillates seems to be!  The spindle sanders, oscillating drill press, whatever, seems to add a lot of $$$'s to the price tag.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 10, 2002 06:08am | #11

   I see you'r up late also.  1to10 seems to give it some scale as well.  About your blade question.  I've had two or three Freuds and liked them all.   I have ripped with their 60 tooth thin kerf cross cut, very good results in hard wood and soft.  (I know, one is not supposed to rip oak with a 60 tooth cross cut).  Cross cutting is almost polished.  After they are sharpened,  they don't cut nearly as well.  Heard the same thing about Forrest.  I think it's the guy doing the sharpening.  I give freud an 8+.  It may not be the best, but there are a whole lot more that are worse.

3. 
   forestgirl | Sep 10, 2002 06:49am | #12

   Hi HD, thanks for the info on the Freud blades.  BTW, I'm on West Coast time, so it's only 8:48 here :-)  I am a late-nite person though -- midnight is bedtime!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   Edited 9/9/2002 11:49:45 PM ET by forest_girl

4. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 10, 2002 07:05pm | #13

   I know the feeling.  Sometimes its tough to put the toys down. Have a good day.

5. 
   davamoore | Sep 12, 2002 07:22pm | #14

   Glad to see the reviews of the Ridgid oscillating belt/spindle sanders... about two weeks ago when I was reviewing an ever-growing list of Christmas projects, not to mention larger furniture pieces for fun and profit, I looked at the Ridgid (online and in the store) as a possible time- and energy-saving option.

   In the end, the reviews I found online (which took a lot of work, the way. and I unfortunately didn't save any of the URLs at the time) pretty much matched what you've all said here:  that it's a good product for what it is.  Since -- eventually -- I'll need a sanding tool for projects large and small, I decide to wait for a while and save my pennies for something a bit heftier.  However, if I was pretty much focused on making smaller items, I think I would have gone ahead and made the purchase.

   Take this for what it is:  an untried opinion.

   DavidHmmm... the garden or the workshop today?

6. 
   DennisS | Sep 12, 2002 11:06pm | #15

   > ...Since -- eventually -- I'll need a sanding tool for projects large and small, I decide to wait for a while and save my pennies for something a bit heftier. 

   This prompts me to ask ....

   Since I have no sanding machinery other than a portable belt and oscillating sander, and since at some point I think the addition of a sanding machine would be helpful at times, I've sorta been thinking that something like the Delta 48 x 12 (belt + disk) sander would be a good addition to the shop. I've never used an oscillating sander. Are there advantages over belt/disk machines that would make the oscillating machine more desirable? The one given is that you (I) can't have both. Given that choice, which one would you (all who care to respond) opt for?

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

7. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 13, 2002 05:42am | #16

   Dennis,

   I too looked at several options for sanders, and eventually settled on the Jet benchtop oscillating spindle sander.  The Delta, Ryobi, and Ridgid are toys in comparison.

   I like the slow speed, heavy cast iron tables and beefy spindles.  I even rigged up a fence to edge sand/joint.  Gets rid of those little ripples sometimes left by the jointer.

   I don't own a belt sander of any kind.  When the wood leaves the surface planer, a Ryobi, (they invented the portable planer and quick change knives so give them a little respect) only light sanding is required - never the aggressive cuts of a belt sander.  A little time with the random orbit is all that's ever required.

   Jeff

   Edited 9/12/2002 11:01:44 PM ET by Jeff K

8. 
   DennisS | Sep 13, 2002 10:26am | #17

   > ...I too looked at several options for sanders, and eventually settled on the Jet benchtop oscillating spindle sander.

   As I mentioned, I've never actually sanded anything on an oscillating spindle sander. I have used disk and belt sanders, both portable hand held and stationary of the latter.

   Are you suggesting that the oscillating spindle machine will do what these others do plus?

   I have a lot of projects running around in the back of my head. Several of them involve making pattern templates or other types of things where I need to cut, plane, scrape or sand a profile to a line. I've watched the millwork guys where I'm working take a template work piece, rough it out on a band saw, then using the Delta 12" disk sander carefully bring the material to the line. Is this accomplished just as easily on an oscillating sander?

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

9. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 13, 2002 02:34pm | #18

   Dennis,

   I think it would be easier on the spindle sander since the stationary table and spindle give you better control over your work.  I can't see any reason why the table couldn't be fitted with a pin to follow templates.(?)

   Jeff

2. 
   krumy1 | Sep 08, 2002 02:52am | #5

   I've had mine for about two years as well. I think it's an ingenious design and would really like to see a heavier duty version become available. I use mine as a hobbyist and it's perfect for me and I would definitely buy it again.

   krumy

2. 
   ToolDoc | Sep 08, 2002 01:24am | #4

   Ridgid is made by Emerson electric who did make Craftsman power tools for Sears for many years until they had a big following out..Ryobi is now making QUOTE.. most of the Craftsman power tools for Sears...  Ridgid did and still does make a fairly decent power tool.. but always remember as in any thing  .. Let The Buyer Beware..

          Take Care.. ToolDoc

3. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Sep 09, 2002 04:58am | #6

   I've had the unit for almost 2 years now.  It does what it is designed for.  I would give it a 8 on a scale of 1-10.  I did have problem with the table  which Rigid promptly sent me out a new table.  It took about 5 minutes to install.  Other than that, it's been a good unit. 

1. 
   MikeN | Sep 09, 2002 09:04pm | #7

   I too have had the sander for about nine months.  I likeit a lot.  Easily an "8".  Some have noticed that the table may not be square with the belt.  this is an adjustable alignment issue.  Mine was fine out of the box.  Ridgid has great customer service also.

   MikeN in Toledo

2. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 10, 2002 05:16am | #9

   Glad to hear your evaluation.  Good service means a lot.  "would buy it again" is probably the best recomendation.

4. 
   jeffn7 | Sep 13, 2002 06:01pm | #19

   I've had one for about a year, use it quite a bit. It's really an ingenious design, I've often wondered why other mfgs don't replicate it (then it occurs to me that the other guys would rather sell you 2 machines!). Seriously, this is great for a home workshop, definitely not for production work.

   - It's easy to switch from spindle to belt, and back.

   - The belt tracking adjustment requires constant tweaking, but fortunately the knob is right on top so you can adjust while you are working.

   - The spindle throw is not that far, so you end up using one end of the drum faster than the other, but you can flip the sanding drum over to get double duty.

   - uses a 4x24 belt, I'd like it to be a little larger but the upside is that it's easy to get belts in any grit at a reasonable cost.

   - The work table is large enough for most work.

   - The built in dust collection is adequate, well actually better than adequate.

   - The tool vibrates more than I would like, but then again it doesn't have a lot of mass to hold it down. This is a good thing if you want to be able to move it around.

   - Seems reliable, I'm sure I will get my full moneys worth out of this over it's life

1. 
   HeidiDad | Sep 13, 2002 08:24pm | #20

   Thanks for the good input.  Yours is just the kind of review I'm looking for.  I wasn't aware that it took a 4x24 belt.