I am looking into a stationary sander.
Currently I have a hand held belt sander with a shop-made table that is generally in the neighbourhood of 90 degrees to the belt. Well, mostly…
I find myself using the belt sander for every third or fourth project, and my oscillating spindle sander about the same, often where the belt would be better, but I can’t be bothered. It’s especially useful for fairing templates.
I am torn between a disc sander, an oscillating belt sander, or a combination machine with a smaller disc and a vertical belt.
Sadly, I have room for only one machine.
If you could have only one, would it be:
1. A 15″ disc sander;
2. A 12″ disc sander with 150mm wide vertical linishing/sanding belt (and adjustable 90deg fence)
3. A 6″wide long belt oscillating horizontal belt sander
Assuming price not being a relevant consideration (the combo machine is though half the cost of the other options), which would you pick, and why?
Just tossing ideas about at present…
Replies
I've used all the machines in your list, with the large 6" wide belt sander being the only machine that remained for a significant time in the shed. The others were used little compared to the larger beast because they were rather slow in their effects, as well as being noisy and dusty.
A large belt sander, especially with a few fitments to allow angled work and curved work using the large roller ends - that can be a useful tool that does a lot of wood removal fast. However .....
Over time I gradually discovered that the use of plane, spokeshave, scraper and rasp is actually more accurate/precise, provides a better finish and, surprisingly, can be faster than even the huge sanding belt with a couple or so of powerful horses driving it. The hand tool shaping also reduces the rate of took-off-too-much events compared to the machines.
Three potential issues with the large belt sander:
* The dust can be difficult to capture fully. What you don't capture will get everywhere fast, including your lungs.
* Things happen fast with all that power. You can easily ruin a workpiece in a second.
* If you accidentally sand your finger or knuckle (which is very easy to do, as you take the work to the machine rather than vice-versa) you'll know about it! An 80 grit belt moving at belt sander speed and power will expose your knucklebone in a trice.
It may be a bit smaller than you want but I have the Ridgid combination oscillating spindle and belt sander and found it is fairly good. Hooked up to my shop vac, dust collection is good. What doesn't get sucked in builds in a pile for later clean up. M y complaint is that as a right hander I find it spins in the wrong direction as I have to feed with my left which I find awkward on longer pieces. Left handers can laugh now.
Same comment as Trapper. I have had mine for 10+ years, had to replace the switch, works fine for my needs. I found a suitable switch online, simple replace, no other issues.
There is a solution to the only room for one tool - JET Flip Top Benchtop Machine Table (728200). I liked one so much I bought another and now I have my Dewalt 13" planer and my grizzly combo belt disk sander on one. The other has my delta 42" belt sander and my craftsman oscillating drum sander. 4 tools in the space of two. With the added wheels I can move them to the work or walk to them to work. not a cheap solution but I get to have more tools.
Since I bought a 6 X 108 ‘’ edge sander I find myself using it frequently and saving a lot of time, it made useless the disk sander and the belt sander only is used when it’s more practical to move the tool than the part such as a tabletop. It’s not oscillating but with a big eraser to clean the belt ans a slight tilt to the table it works just fine. I know it’s a beast but on the used market it was affordable and will never let me down.
much too big for the stand I use.
It has its own stand, weighs 600 pounds !
Gulfstar, you're estate sale is gonna be AWESOME!!
I have the Jet 6" oscillating edge sander and use it regularly to finish the edges on templates, pieces for glue-up, truing up doors and general shaping. Machines like this need to be hooked up to central dust collection. The comment made about watching your fingers is always the case, as with any machine you must use it safely. The other thing I would add is to have a firm grip on the workpiece since there is a lot of power and small pieces can come out of your hand and go up the dust chute(how do I know this!!.) The advantage of the disc sanders is the rotation of the disc is down towards the table which keeps the piece more secure to the table. The extra height might also be helpful if you want to sand something that is taller than 6 inches.
+1 on the Ridgid recommended above. If you already own a lathe, this disc sanding jig is also a good option ..
Thanks all.
Appreciate the food for thought.
Like LatAxe, I have been using hand tools more and more, often finding then as or faster than machines.
Part of the problem is that the bigger tool, especially the oscillating sander opens up options to do things that are currently very difficult, such as some segmented turning options, but if I'm honest with myself, truly honest, I doubt I'll spend much time doing that.
Even though I'm putting out about 1 project per week, almost all of them are honey do's rather than things I really want to spend time on!
I might hold off a bit and see if I can't work on the hand tool skills...
I had a combo 6"disc/4x36 belt sander, with a universal motor. I had it for years and used it lightly. When I started using it more often it started falling apart fast. It just wasn't built well.
I bought a Jet 12" disc/6x48 belt sander and love it. It's cast iron with a big TEFC motor. I use it just about every day.