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Acceptable runout on spindle sander

1197 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Kudzupatch, Apr 15, 2022

Dtbingle

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

Recently purchased the Jet Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander (JBOS-5) and having issues with chatter against workpiece.

The 1/4" and 1/2" spindles with no rubber drum are perfectly smooth and has no chatter when sanding a workpiece.
The 5/8" spindle also has no rubber drum, but has a slight chatter against the piece being sanded.

However, the 1-1/2" and 2" spindles with the rubber drums are extremely bad. I can't stop the wood from chattering and bouncing off of the sanding sleeve, even when pressing as hard as I can into it.

Even without a dial indicator, I can visually see the oblong shape that the rubber drums have. Tried both tightening the rubber drum more and loosening to no pressure from the top nut and the oblong shape is what it is. With the dial indicator is showing ~ 0.040" of runout while turning by hand on the rubber drum.

What is an acceptable level of chatter / bouncing off of the sanding sleeve & spindle?
Anyone else have this issue? How was it solved?

Jet customer support didn't seem to interested in trying to help, but eventually just said they'll send out new 1-1/2" and 2" spindle assemblies. We'll see if these are any better, otherwise it's getting returned.

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dbw

· #2 · Apr 13, 2022

I have a Triton spindle sander and there is virtually zero runout regardless of which drum I'm using. Perhaps I got lucky.

I don't know the answer to your question regarding acceptable chatter.

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CaptainKlutz

· #3 · Apr 13, 2022

IDK acceptable run out on JET spindle sander either.
Call JET and ask them!

Check your spindles by rolling on table; are they bent?
In manual it looks like the spindles are not single piece. They might be machined off center, or parts assembled incorrect.

My Ridgid spindle/belt sander as zero chatter or bouncing with any size spindle; unless I push too hard.

Best Luck.

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JRsgarage

· #4 · Apr 13, 2022

I had a real unbalanced issue with a 3" drum spindle I bought on Ebay. The vibration was so bad that it caused the spindle in the storage rack to scuff up my sander housing.

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Dtbingle

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 13, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

Thanks! Sounds like something is not right with the Jet unit they sent me.

I did call Jet for support and asked those questions and the agent I was talking to had no interest in diagnosing the problem aside from just shipping out replacement spindles and hoping they are good.

I will have to more closely inspect the spindles. Runout at the base of the spindles measured 0.005" or less.
However it looked like the spindles were slightly bent to a minor degree when holding a straight edge up to them, but would have to recheck which ones were bent to what magnitude again. I think the other issue is the rubber drums are oblong shape instead of near perfect circles.

Just trying to determine what's acceptable and if I should just return this. Leaning towards returning and getting a cheaper option like the Triton that I can test in store if even the quality of this more expensive unit is lacking…

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northwoodsman

· #6 · Apr 13, 2022

I would say that there should be no chatter.

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dbw

· #7 · Apr 13, 2022

I purchased my Triton at Rockler. I figured if there were issues, I'd take it right back. One thing I need to point out is the table doesn't tilt and it could stand to be bigger.

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Kudzupatch

· #8 · Apr 14, 2022

I would say that there should be no chatter.

- northwoodsman

Totally agree. I have a very old State and there is 0 chatter. Any is not acceptable to me. I would return it if they wouldn't fix it.

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EdWeber

· #9 · Apr 14, 2022

The shaft inside the rubber sleeve is most likely rotated out of alignment.
Mount the drum in the sander and hold it with the spindle wrench. With the rubber sleeve loose (nut backed off) turn the rubber sleeve until it goes back into it's proper position, you will fee it

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Dtbingle

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 14, 2022

I had a real unbalanced issue with a 3" drum spindle I bought on Ebay. The vibration was so bad that it caused the spindle in the storage rack to scuff up my sander housing.

- JRsgarage

Did you determine the cause? Was it the spindle itself or the rubber drum?

The shaft inside the rubber sleeve is most likely rotated out of alignment.
Mount the drum in the sander and hold it with the spindle wrench. With the rubber sleeve loose (nut backed off) turn the rubber sleeve until it goes back into it s proper position, you will fee it

- Ed Weber

Tried this but it seemed like it was already seated properly. The spindle has a slot cut into it with a key that sits inside and then the rubber drum has a slot that lines up and slides on it. The key in the rubber drum was correctly positioned and lined up with the spindle shaft key.

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Dtbingle

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 15, 2022

An update:

Jet sent out replacement spindle assemblies (new spindle + rubber drum) for the 1-1/2" and 2" sizes. These were better, but only marginally. The rubber drums on both the original and replacement set have the same issue - they are oblong shape instead of being close to perfectly round. This oblong shape is both when the spindle nut is loose and tightened down. You can turn the spindle by hand and watch the distance to the throat plate clearly vary a great deal. This oblong shaped drum causes the workpiece to bounce or chatter off of the sleeve when trying to sand. Also, I think something is out of alignment either the spindle base or spindle itself. When it hits the bottom of the stroke, it seems to wobble more. As in if you lightly touch a piece of wood to the spindle, it won't touch at the top of the stroke, but then touch the piece of the wood at the bottom.

Went to rockler and tried out the triton TSPS450 display unit with the same scrap piece of wood I've been using. All spindles ran smooth and true - no chatter or bouncing when putting the workpiece up to the sanding sleeve. Bought it and all of the spindles in the purchased unit also ran smooth and true. Few drawbacks - it is louder, smaller table top, no tilting table, and less power, but at least the spindles run true and will do for my light hobby work.

The Jet is being returned tomorrow. Have to say I'm very disappointed given the $699.99 price tag on it. The cast iron top is completely scratched up already from testing with a piece of 2×4 construction lumber and I thought the sawstop tables were too soft. The throat plates don't fit in their side holders well and you have to really push them into the slots and grind off the paint. Same with the spindles - they don't fit into the side storage all of the way. Like Jet couldn't figure out how much the powdercoat process reduce the dimensions to account for that? Additionally, the wrenches they provide are just awful - too short and makes it much more difficult than it needs to be - and no storage for them.

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