HF 12" Disc Sander -- Anybody have one?

I’ve had the 10” HF sander for about 4 years now. It’s worked alright but I’m hoping to upgrade to a Belt/Disc combo in the near future.
The bevel gauge isn’t very accurate; I found myself setting the angles with a square instead for the extra accuracy but once it gets going, it runs fairly straight and smooth. Power is sufficient.
My only real gripe is that the knobs that lock the bevel broke about 3 mo’s in. The plastic just crumbled apart. This left a metal nut that I now lock in place with a pair of vice grips. It’s kind of a pain but not bad enough for me to throw it out quite yet.
For the price, it’s not bad but I’m quickly looking for something a little easier to use.

-- -MDWhite

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-direct-drive-bench-top-disc-sander-43468.html

4.5 rating for 27 customers is pretty good indication is not a lemon, and it’s on sale
for 134.99.

Looking forward to what others have to say.

I’ve had one about 3 years. At the time I got mine they had two versions. I got the more expensive one and with a coupon I think I paid about $100.
It is very nice and I use it all the time.
It’s set up right next to my miter saw and I use it to touch up miters.

I would have preferred the Rikon with the cast iron table and the disk brake, but the best price I ever saw on it was $199.

A very good accessory to get with this sander is one of those big gum rubber cleaning blocks they sell at HF also.
Greatly reduces the frequency of changing sanding disks.

I have the black and green one. Works good. How ever, open the box there and check to make sure that the table isn’t warped or broken. I took the first one back for a broken table. I had them open boxes until I found a good table. One table was warped another one was also broken. The forth one was good.

-- For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert.

Personally, I’d recommend checking CL for a combo belt Disc sander. I recently bought a Sears Industrial model 6×48” belt with a 10” disc sander combo for $100 from CL. It sells new for Over $300 and this one only needed some work on the switch. Had it running like new in 30 minutes.

-- Still got all my Fingers!!!

I have one and love it. My review is here: http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1614

-- Larry "Work like a Captain but Play like a Pirate!"

TaybulSawz—I have a belt/disc combo machine. The disc is not suitable for sanding rings for segmented bowls and vessels, which is why I am looking for a 12” standalone unit. I should have mentioned that in my original post.

TDSpade—Good advice … thanks!

crank49—Yup … I have a couple of the HF Sanding Belt Cleaners that I use on my belt, disc, and RO sanders. I even use them on the belts on my drum sander.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Gerry,I have a similar sander as HF,up here in Canada,the paint is different but it is essentially the same sander.

It is an excellent addition to any woodworking shop,use it often and have no regrets,one thing I did was to add a couple of star washers to the bolts that attach the table to the body,these washers made the table sturdier since I can tighten the bolts better and now the table stays 90° firmly and will not loosen up with moderate pressure or with vibration.

I also converted the sanding disk to hook and loop but you make that decision if you find it might help,
My disk sander is always attached to a shop vac so when I use it I just switch the vac on to get rid of the fine dust .

-- Ken from Ontario, Canada

TheDane, I think you will be looking at a good-sized industrial unit to cover your needs, most light industrial stuff will be too small and certainly not rated for continuous use. I think a good second-hand unit like a wadkin or similar but I think you may struggle to get a combination machine within your budget.

Vintage Professional Rikon 51-200 12” Disc Sander
Price: US $195.00
I found it only for you…
Maybe it can help you…

-- Annia Palmer

Gerry,

I dont have a 12 ” HF sander but a Woodfast model. I assume they all work the same, tilting table and dust port and NVR switch along with a mechanical brake.
I added a velcro or hook and loop backing so I could swap sheet grades easely.
It works well and is a valuable asset in my woodworking exploits.
Along with the disc Sander I also have the usual “other” sanders as well.

Drop me a line if you need any more info.

-- Regards Rob

Do y’all realize TheDane asked the question about the HF 12” disk sander almost 4 years ago. I assume he has bought something by now. :)

Do y all realize TheDane asked the question about the HF 12” disk sander almost 4 years ago. I assume he has bought something by now. :)

- WhyMe

Correctamundo! I found an older 12” Delta on CL … bought it for $40. Does everything I need it to do.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Opps,

-- Regards Rob

I bought mine back in 1999 when they were $99.
Still running strong, even the motor is still the same color.
Only complaint, it is a bit of a PITA to change the paper, since you pretty much have to remove the table. I use a heat gun to change the paper. Takes about 5-7 minutes, not counting taking the table off. I also use the HF paper, and it seems to hold up OK, but I know there is better out there.
Otherwise, I use it for a lot of heavy sanding and edge squaring. Been a staple on square sanding in my shop for years and years.
I don’t have any problem getting my table to be square to the wheel.

-- Tsunami Guitars and Custom Woodworking, Cleveland, TN

I am curious why one would buy a stand alone disc sander when one could get a disc belt sander combo for around the same price???

-- “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell