Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Jul 21, 2002 08:00pm | #1

   All the shops I've worked on had one and we used it to do everything we could. Not much of an answer but for stuff to small to belt sand it's great long as you have the room for it. Chamfering, breaking edges, you name it. One friend has a grizzly and another has the jet. Both seem to work well. If you can spring the extra money oscillation is a plus. Gives a nicer finish. Vega makes it an option.

2. 
   Lar55 | Jul 21, 2002 09:12pm | #2

   I have the General and use it alot.  I'm not good on the handplanes like Dano and a few others so I use the sander to do my edging. It does a great job.

1. 
   crashtestdummy | Jul 25, 2002 04:17pm | #3

   I have a 4 X 132 homemade, with a 2 hp motor. I use it for sanding door and shelf edges mostly, but also do lots of misc. sanding on it. Primarily use a 120 grit belt ,3M seamless, seams burnish and/or burn the wood (I use hard maple most of the time). Over all it is a very useful tool, but it takes up floor space. Since mine has a large top, it gets used a lot for quick storage, which means I have to move junk before it is usable.I would rather be mountain biking.

3. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 04, 2002 12:04am | #4

   Is this thread still open?

   I have the 6x89 WoodTek from Woodworkers Supply, and it is very handy for certain operations, esp fitting outside curves.  The table tilts, so can be set right at 90 deg.  I built a right side extension so that I can use the drum for some inside curves.  I think they are desiging  an aux.  table like a compass plane, so that one can sand gentle inside curves without creating the washboards that are so easy to make.

1. 
   MikeK50 | Aug 05, 2002 10:06pm | #6

   Terry,

   I've seen the Woodtek line in the Woodworkers Supply catalog, but I've never seen them up close.  How is the overall quality?  How about the precision?

   For an edge sander, it is critical that the table be perpendicular to the sanding belt. Is the adjustment solid and secure?

   Thanks,

   Mike 

1. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 06, 2002 12:21am | #8

   I have been very satisfied with this tool. John Wirth stands behind his products in my experience. The adustment is solid. I adjust it without the belt so that the belt does not throw off the square. If you put a square on the sanded edge, after adjustment, you will see no light. Readjustment is not needed.

   WS recomends the graphite platen, which I bought but have never needed or used. The machine is not underpowered. I wonder if this addition would destroy or at least harm some of the accuracy, but having not used it, I am unsure. WS has excellent abrasives as well, I use the blue Alumina Zirconia belts, and they seem to last quite long. Note that I have no affiliation with WS. It has, however, been a good supplier for me over the years.

4. 
   RickLoDico | Aug 04, 2002 02:26am | #5

   I have the Bridgewood and use it on every project. It's priced halfway between the Jet and the Grizzly but comes with a 2 HP motor.

   http://a9.cpimg.com/image/11/6B/7812369-e48e-028001E0-.jpg

1. 
   MikeK50 | Aug 05, 2002 10:07pm | #7

   Rick,

   I have the same questions that I asked Terry above. 

   How is the overall quality?  How about the precision?

   For an edge sander, it is critical that the table be perpendicular to the sanding belt. Is the adjustment solid and secure?

   Thanks,

   Mike 

1. 
   RickLoDico | Aug 06, 2002 03:08am | #9

   The belt is adjustable anywhere from 90 to 180. If you can measure acurately, you can set the angle to any degree. I use it for edges and faces.