Pwk5017 Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 My current POS benchtop spindle sander doesn't have a tilting spindle or tilting table. I'm looking at a floor model spindle sander that also doesn't tilt. Is this a helpful feature to have, or rarely used? I'm not sure how often I would need to shape a compound curve, but I'm sure it exists. Just wondering if this tool is worth $400ish now, or just wait for another one to come along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Mine has a tilting table and I have used it. If I didn't know that I had a regular requirement for a tilting feature I do not know that it would be a show stopper. I make jigs (temporary or permanent) for a lot of things I only do every once in a blue moon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 The tilt is a musty have for me. I use it when installing scribed In fixtures where I have cut a back bevel and need to bring the material down to the scribe line. I like the tilt to keep a sharp edges where the piece meets the wall 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Have you looked at the ridgid unit? It's a great buy, and works very well! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 +1 on the Ridgid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I worked my first Ridgid belt spindle sander all day for several days and burned it up. It wasn't the tools fault and I went straight out and bought another one ! It has performed well for several years since. I have only used the tilting table a few times but it worked just like I needed. The only shortcoming is dust collection but none of the spindle sanders I have used do . The belt osselating is very useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Another plus for the rigid. It may be a 'consumer grade' machine, but it really does the job well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I've got the Ridgid as well. After having the belt feature, I don't think I'd want one that was spindle only. I use the belt way more than the spindle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Never saw the need on a spindle sander for the bed to tilt. That's what my belt-edge /disc sander is for. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I was wondering if Id ever need the table to tilt on my new Ridgid sander but with the belt installed It will come in handy. So far I have been happy with the sander and glad alto of you recommended it . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 You all confirmed why I was apprehensive about this Clayton sander. The seller sorted it out for me prior to reading the replies. Guy went off and MF'ed me via text when I offered him $400 instead of $500 asking price. Dunno, I guess some people are touchy on Craigslist. The belt option on the rigid is cool, but a several hundred pound stationary machine versus a plastic benchtop machine is a movie I've seen about a dozen times. I prefer larger tools, because I find them to be easier to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 Strap that plastic sander down ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 This is what I have, (pic grabbed from the web) an oscillating spindle sander from Sears, yes a craigslist find. It's a sweetheart. What I like best, it's portable and has a dust port and large surface to support stock. I store it under a bench. Never had an issue of it moving around. It does have provisions for fastening to a bench top. Just another option. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 I've never been apprehensive to use the Ridgid because it was lightweight. Even when just sitting on a surface, it's not easy to move around in normal sanding operation. Wanting a beefier machine is good, but I wouldn't let that be the only reason why you pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrodk Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 You could make a tilt jig to sit on top of your sander table. I see a lot of these on the Internet for drill presses. I suppose this could be more accurate and less fuss than the tilt on some machines. Every power tool we use is a motor attached to a shaper/cutter that uses some sort of guide. Lots of ideas are out there to build add on or better guides for our tools. I'm sure someone has done it before. I like my Ridgid too. I can't imagine anything that would tip it over. Not that I would pick up and take to the tool anyway. Sent from my woodshop using duct tape, twine, and a bit of sawdust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 On 9/25/2016 at 8:39 PM, mat60 said: I was wondering if Id ever need the table to tilt on my new Ridgid sander but with the belt installed It will come in handy. So far I have been happy with the sander and glad alto of you recommended it . It doubles as a belt sander? I can see now how the tilting feature comes in handy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 16 hours ago, Immortan D said: It doubles as a belt sander? I can see now how the tilting feature comes in handy. This was my reason for picking up the Ridgid, I didn't want to deal with both a spindle sander and bench-top belt sander. The Ridgid is as good or better than separate versions of these tools (in its price bracket), plus you have an oscillating belt sander. I have mine bolted to a flip-top table, and it's secure as hell. Though I'm not feeding 2x4's into it. Before the flip top I just screwed it down to a basic bench. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_r_ Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 I have the Shop Fox W1686 (LINK) and it has a tilting table. I have never used it in any orientation other than 90 nor have I ever seen a need to. I have always assumed that feature was for a couple very specific tasks that I just havent come across yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted October 2, 2016 Report Share Posted October 2, 2016 It's funny that earlier I was going to chime in to say I've never had the need or desire to tilt the table on my spindle sander or edge sander but didn't bother. Of course now I ran into a project where that was what I was going to need to do but the table on my spindle sander doesn't tilt. Ended up going in a much more convoluted, but more interesting, direction because of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted October 2, 2016 Report Share Posted October 2, 2016 11 hours ago, krtwood said: It's funny that earlier I was going to chime in to say I've never had the need or desire to tilt the table on my spindle sander or edge sander but didn't bother. Of course now I ran into a project where that was what I was going to need to do but the table on my spindle sander doesn't tilt. Ended up going in a much more convoluted, but more interesting, direction because of it. just as a side note, i watched a few of your youtube vids this weekend. i enjoyed them very much! your channel popped up in my "suggested videos", and i didnt realize it was you until i watched a few. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted October 2, 2016 Report Share Posted October 2, 2016 mine is a Delta that i picked up used with very low mileage for 100 bucks, no tilt and haven't had a need to do so, but i may not know what I'm missing till i need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted October 2, 2016 Report Share Posted October 2, 2016 2 hours ago, Pug said: just as a side note, i watched a few of your youtube vids this weekend. i enjoyed them very much! your channel popped up in my "suggested videos", and i didnt realize it was you until i watched a few. Thanks, Pug! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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