Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 01, 2006 05:42pm | #1

   Although there may be others, the only such beast I've seen in that price range is the Ridgid sold by the Home Despot.

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   Napie | Jun 01, 2006 05:46pm | #2

   Grizzly has a spindle/disc combo machine.

3. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jun 02, 2006 11:42pm | #3

   I have owned a Ridgid since they first put it on the market. Belt unit tended to stick on the spindle which failed twice. The Depot couldn't fix it the 2nd time, so they gave me a new sander. Good warranty!! It does not have the sticking problem which was probably caused by a flatted shaft, which really isn't necessary, & which is now absent from the machine. The current price is lower than original, too.

   I have toyed with buying a larger (80 - 89-inch) belt/edge sander & a separate spindle sander with a longer shaft. Other than moving up to that combination, the Ridgid has been & still is quite satisfactory.

   Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   user-141698 | Jun 04, 2006 02:01am | #4

   Thanks for your reply.  I also have the Rigid belt/spindle sander.  I was hoping to run longer stock on the belt sander.  Anticipate fabricating a fence to allow that. Any thoughts?

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jun 04, 2006 02:25am | #5

   I haven't thought about that. I always guide my work by hand. Of course, what you do depends on just how long you mean. The larger units I have lusted for have platens only 32 - 36 inches long. Being nonprofessional, I do most sanding by hand or with portable units.Cadiddlehopper

2. 
   thomsthumbs | Jun 04, 2006 08:00am | #6

   Not sure if this 'll help you but I've sanded 1 x 2 oak up to five foot on my ridgid without major awkwardness.  Fed it strictly by hand.   Roller stands would definitely help with bigger stock.  Thought about some kind of feather board arrangement but, haven't come up with anything workable for stock over 3/4" as I want to maintain even presure against the belt/spindle over the whole dimension of the material.  Just my two cents.   

                            tom

3. 
   mudman | Jun 04, 2006 08:11am | #7

   I have the ridgid and love it. although, as you know,on long boards it is easy to gouge with it. The tool for speeding up that process is a drum sander. A good drum sander will make cake work out of edge and face sanding long boards.

   MikePardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.