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Disc/Belt Sander

3K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  rance 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
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?
 
#4 ·
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.
 
#6 ·
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.
 
#9 ·
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?
 
#10 ·
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.
 
#12 ·
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.

helluvawreck
https://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
 
#14 ·
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!
 
#16 ·
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.
 
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