Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 28, 2003 06:47am | #1

   I thought about getting one of those.  I opted for a sanding drum on my lathe and manually 'oscillating' the pieces back and forth.

   Still may get one some day.  Will be watching here to see what people say.

   Do these oscillating drum sanders turn fast enough?  I like at least 2500 rpm and last time I looked most of the oscillating drum sanders were only like 1800 rpm.  I mainly use 3/4" diameter drums.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   Drewpeacock | Oct 29, 2003 12:17am | #6

   I just got one and like it.

   I have a 4" belt and 6" disk setup as well as the usual hand types.

   I always had trouble getting a base sanded true but this little jobbie lines her right up for you with no problem of skipping and gouging due to the neat little stop they put in beside the belt.

   I haven't played with the spindles much yet but hey, what?

   I like the speed better than my other sander too. It's a bit slower and doesn't jerk stuff way from you. Run a bit cooler as a result.

   They (HD) gave us a good discount making it a practicle addition to the shop.

   Bob

2. 
   krumy1 | Oct 28, 2003 11:21am | #2

   I've had one for about 3 years. I think it's a great tool and design for what it is. It is a fairly light duty sander for a home hobbyist. It's very easy to switch between disk/drum and both do a good job. I would love to have a clayton oss but for now the ridgid does just fine.

   Steve

   http://mywebpages.comcast.net/krumy/shoptour/shoptour.html

1. 
   smijal | Oct 28, 2003 03:47pm | #3

   I was also thinking of the Jet oscillating sander for about $100 more. Then for about $200 more the Grizzly----funny how easy it gets to upgrade into dome realy pricey stuff.

   You experience was exactly the type of information I was hoping to get.

   Any problems with regaqrd to the mechanism sticking, etc?

3. 
   MaxdOut | Oct 28, 2003 11:05pm | #4

   I've used one extensively for a couple of years. The only problem I've had has been the bearings on the idler pulley for the belt attachment. Home Depot has replaced two of these for me without any problems.

   It's a great tool for the type of sanding (using oscillating belt attachment) that I do. I plan on building a edge sander that I hope will stand up to a lot of use.

   All in all it's a good tool.

   Good luck!

4. 
   user-247493 | Oct 29, 2003 12:13am | #5

   I've had one for about a year and a half and I've been very satisfied.  It was an "open box special" at my local hd and I just grabbed it because it was a good deal.  Now that I have it, I use it a lot.  I make adirondack furniture and the sander is excellent for final shaping of the pieces.  Granted, it's only 3/4" red cedar, but it seems to have lots of power.  And the dust collection works really well with a little shop vac I found at a garage sale for $4.  I don't think there's anything in it's price range that can touch it.

5. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 29, 2003 07:47am | #7

   I've had one for 3 years.  Ridgid replaced the table- problem with the casting coating, only ohter discrepency is the belt sander will not stay perpendicular to the table if you put alot of pressure against it, so I use a bigger grit belt.  As for longevity, it has a lifetime warranty. 

6. 
   forestgirl | Oct 29, 2003 07:47pm | #8

   Latest issue of Shop Notes arrived yesterday and it has a plan for a "Drill Press Belt Sander."  Wild idea?  Maybe, but pretty cool looking, and not one I've seen before:
   http://www.shopnotes.com/main/sn72-toc.html

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

1. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 29, 2003 10:28pm | #9

   I've had one for 3 years and it works just fine for the amount of curved work I do.  The belt sander is a big plus.  I have it mounted on the back of the same stand with an old Delta 6 x 48 BS.  Between the two of them I'm in pretty good shape.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

7. 
   michaelait | Oct 30, 2003 07:28am | #10

   I paid 200 at Home Depot about 3 months ago.  I have not used it a great deal, however I too have made Adirondack furniture pieces using it. and it performed quite well.  It is easy to swith from spindel to belt sander.  Overall I think it is quite good value for the money.

1. 
   smijal | Oct 30, 2003 03:50pm | #11

   Thaks everyone. IT sounds like there are no major problems with this tool. Looks like its shopping time at HD tonight!

   Stan