protectedvoid Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 So, I've been using drum sanders on my drill press, and they do a fairly good job. I've been considering purchasing a bench-top oscillating spindle sander and would like everyone's input on which brands & sizes to consider. As much as I'd love to have a floor model, space is at a premium and will be for the next few years, so I'm looking for good quality and power in a compact unit with a solid, durable top. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 That one is EASY. The Ridged is a great bench top sander. I've had one for years. One of these days, I'm gonna get a floor model, though, only because I do have room and would like the larger drums they provide. But, the Ridgid IS a great little machine. Great dust collection, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muthrie Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Ditto, I agree with Vic and so does Fine Woodworking - Fine Woodworking Tool Test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodClips Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I've owned the JET benchtop spindle sander for a number of years and couldn't be happier with it. It costs about twice as much as the Rigid, but it weighs about twice as much too. At 80-some pounds, I treat it as a stationary machine because it is a real beast to get on and off the bench. The operation is smooth and quiet, probably the quietest power tool in my shop. One consideration is that you can buy a 3" spindle as an accessory. I'm not sure how many of the other benchtop machines have this option. I don't own it, but oftentimes wish I did, because the larger radius would be nice for smoothing gentler curves without digging in. If you want to see it in action, it makes a brief appearance in this video about a quarter of the way through the video. Rory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_in_SD Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Another vote for the Ridgid. Both oscillating spindle and belt. And light so easy to move to benchtop if you need. to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protectedvoid Posted December 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks guys. Keep the suggestions coming. I've been back and forth between the rigid and the jet, so any feedback on those or others is definitely most appreciated. The cost for the Rigid + the fact it's both an edge and spindle sander are definitely big pluses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Another thing you can do with the Ridgid. Make scarf joints on stringing etc quite easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I don't own either, but I have looked at both, and decided to add the Jet to the tools to buy list. For me, the rigid didn't seem substantial enough, the table seemed kind of flimsy, and the spindle itself had to much deflection for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raruss1 Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I will throw in my vote for the Rigid. Although I don't really like the knob for tightening down the spindles, it is small and hard for me to grip, I am very happy with it. I dithered about getting one cause my space is kinda tight but now that I have it, I am thrilled. It is small enough to put away, which is what I had planned to do, but it has been so useful, it has been out ever since. I have only had it 2 months and already have several hours of use out of it. One concern I had was the gap between the sandpaper and the part of the table that tilts, in practice this was not a problem. I tilted the table to 7 degrees and cleaned up some beveled sides on box lids and they all turned out perfect. The edge sander is my most used by far, I thinned some spline material to fit the kerf, and did the flush sanding with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Yup another Ridgid user here as well. The tightening knob is a pain for me as well. Not so much when using the spindles, but with the belt it tends to over-tighten and I have to use a set of vice-grips to get it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerYates Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 do they ridgids go on sale frequently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samhell Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 I also have the Ridgid. I love how you can switch out the spindles in just a few seconds. The belt is great too. Dust collection is ok, it gets the dust away from the spindle for the most part. Sometimes piles of dust appear though, especially when using the belt. The table has angled stops so you can sand at different angles. Its a slick little device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flairwoodworks Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 Another vote for Ridgid. I've never had an occaison to use the spindle function though. The belt sander is really useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyami Plotke Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 Ridgid. It's substantial enough, the tilting table is very handy, the the ease with which it switches to an oscillating belt sander makes it the clear winner. I use it more in belt mode than in spindle mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protectedvoid Posted December 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Okay. Thanks for all the feedback...especially on the table and the locking mechanism. Looks like I'll be picking that up after Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 Thanks guys. Keep the suggestions coming. I've been back and forth between the rigid and the jet, so any feedback on those or others is definitely most appreciated. The cost for the Rigid + the fact it's both an edge and spindle sander are definitely big pluses. +1 on the rigid. i bought mine on craigslist for $100 or $125, and it came with a craftsman stand and a extra set of abrasives. it was only used a few times, only 1 tube was used on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 Been happy with my Ridgid too. I wish the platen was bigger, but it really does do a nice job, and I like the flexibility of the belt and spindle sanders...it's a 30 second change over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztifpatrick Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 So, I've been using drum sanders on my drill press, and they do a fairly good job. I've been considering purchasing a bench-top oscillating spindle sander and would like everyone's input on which brands & sizes to consider. As much as I'd love to have a floor model, space is at a premium and will be for the next few years, so I'm looking for good quality and power in a compact unit with a solid, durable top. Thanks. Triton make a good one, got it at woodcraft, no complaints and it was cheap. Triton make good stuff, got their router too, liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brown Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 I hate to repeat the theme , but I like my rigid spindle sander a lot. It is affordable and handy to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcornHouse Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Another vote for the Ridgid. You can't beat it for the size and price ( given your space constraints.) PLUS, since its available at Home Depot, you can usually find a 12 month no interest/payments deal to give you more flexibility in paying for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasScott Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 After a lot of reading and looking through this thread(plus looking at it in Home Depot a week ago) I finally decided to go with the Rigid EB4424 and I placed a order for it tonight..Like the idea that's its 2 tools in one and for the price that sounds good to me..I ordered it online as the shipping was cheaper than me driving 160 miles round trip to pick it up... Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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