I want to add some kind of stationary sander to my shop. I have a long, narrow shop (equivalent to a 2 car tandem garage) so while I have some space, the arrangement of things is a little odd. I don't think I really have the space for a combination disc/belt sander because you need to be able to get to it from at least two sides to work with it. I've been leaning towards just getting a 12" disc sander but I've noticed on this site that many of you are literally in love with the Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt / Spindle Sander. I don't have a special need (I don't make guitars or anything like that). I'm just looking for a good general purpose stationary sander. Any thoughts on the best way to go here?
I have a 6" x 48" belt sander from Harbor freight ($200) and use it a lot. It has a disk sander with it but I never use that. (Burns the wood ). This is the most used tool in my 10' x 25' shop.
I had a Dewalt 6''X48" disc/belt sander. I used it some the first year and I could never get good results. It sat idle in my shop for 10 years and I just gve it away. I now use hand planes, BS, spoke shaves, scrapers, etc., and do much better work.
go for a belt/disk with a mobile base. The base will let you pull it away from the wall to get at all those angles you need around it. Also if you do, go for a 6×48 because most of the 4×36 sanders are crap and underpowered.
I use my 12" disk about as much as the belt.
Would hate to be without either.
If I was starting over, I'd carefully consider the Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt / Spindle Sander and still get a separate disk sander. They all do different jobs and I presently don't have a spindle sander except for my drill press.
I have an OLD Grizzly 6×48 sander and it gets used on every project. The belt gets used a lot more than the disc as I get less burning on the belt. i also have a Hatichi 4×36 that has held up well but is a toy compared to the old Grizz.
I was going to ask yesterday, why do I need one of these? My next tool purchase will either be something like this or a drill press. I guess I don't really understand their use. What makes these better than just a regular old ROS?
Joe, Put a 36 or 50 grit on the belt and you can do some shaping in a real hurry that will take a long time with a ROS. It has a purpose that is different than a ROS. It also has a table that gives you 90 degrees from the belt to square up corners if you need that. Grits are easilly and quickly changed.
I have recently put $250, including tax, and extra warranty, into a Harbor Freight belt disc sander. So far it's been a good deal. I was considering a $500 sander that Grizzly sells. However, I was really pushed for money at the time. So far I haven't been sorry. If it will last me a couple of years I will be happy because I was doing a whole lot of hand sanding and I consider it has already paid for itself in time saved in the last 6 weeks. I would probably still not have any sander yet so getting this cheaper one has helped me a lot. BTW, I put mine on a plywood base with casters because my shop is small too.
Rance, I have three of the big gum erasers (one near every sander). They save a lot of paper. Joe, These sanders do so much more than a ROS: sand a perfect circle, true up a miter, round corners, take the excess 'pin' materiel off box joints, etc and they do it FAST!
I'm just having trouble visualizing how they work, especially the belt part. I will probably get one this weekend. Woodcraft has there 10/15% of sale Saturday and Sunday
Joe, A big advantage to the larger sanders is a much longer platen under the belt. This allow you to sand/flatten longer pieces. The platen on my Grizz is 17" so check this before spending your money.
Thatks for the tip! I don't know why I always forget about Grizzly. The G1014Z looks awesome and is a few hundred cheaper than the rikon I was looking to get
Instead of spending hard earned cash on the rubber blocks to clean belts and disks just use your old soft soled running shoes. You can also get the old shoes at thrift stores for a couple a bucks a pair.
Joe, That's the model I have (only mine is much older CL bargain) and I love it. Add 2 big shop made tables to it like mine and you'll really find a lot of jobs for it.
Belt/Disk sander. One of THE most useful tools in the shop. PERIOD!
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