Whoa! Just read this in Popular Science magazine.
http://www.popsci.com/gear-gadgets/article/2008-07/sand-still
Sounds pretty cool. Anyone try one yet? I mean, I think my Bosch ROS is way better than the Black and Decker that I used to use. I wonder if it could be even better?
Replies
Wow. Craftsman? Whodathunk? I have my doubts about the effectiveness of the dust collection. I think that perferations spread out would be better. But I've been wrong before.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Chris,I believe that the design makes perforations on the pad impossible since it's really two pads counter rotating. Maybe the paper was perforated before the two disks started counter rotating and then just tore apart? ? I wonder how one attaches the paper?Actually, why would perforations spread out make dust collection better? That'd only increase friction or drag on the air movement.
Well, standard paper would not work. I was suggesting a smaller perforated disc (~3") and a ring. That way, dust is collected from the center of the pad. I don't understand how perforations would increase friction. Maybe I'm still not quite awake.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
My only thought was that the a bigger area of airflow provides less drag than adding perforations. But I now see your point of additional perforations.
I also understand your comment. I guess it's a trade-off. You either get more air flow or more abrasive surface.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Which begs the question... does having more abrasive and less airflow hinder or help the performance of the actual amount of wood removed during sanding? I definitely want to check this sander out, but at $100... I doubt I'd buy another RO sander just to have one. It'd be cool to compare the "cyclonic" dust collection system compared to having a shop vac attached to my Bosch.
But I've been wrong before.
I was only wrong once and that was when I thought I was wrong!
Aside from the issue of dust collection, a concern for me would be the discs. Firstly, it's a proprietary design and not likely to be supplied by anyone other than Craftsman, and secondly, attaching two concentric discs is bound to be a pain.
Three problems-
Twice as many sanding discs two buy and put on.
That fancy filter is gonna clog up instantly.
It's a Crapsman.
Hey easy there...Not all of us can afford Festools (though I admit that I am a Festool junkie). But Sears Craftsman is somewhat nostalgic to me and I always like to give their stuff a look at. My belt sander is a Craftsman and is well built. Sears also has deep pockets and can put a lot of effort into R&D if they want to. So maybe this tool has some merit?
True I'm being hard on the brand.
But that looks like a gimmick to me.
Right off the bat I don't like having TWO new sanding discs, especially when they will probably be available from only one source - Sears - and I don't harbor any particular animosity against Sears 'cept I'd like to see better overall quality from them.
Second: I know from experience that the outer edge of the disc wears out first, way first! - but I'll bet you'll be able to buy those little discs and their rings only as a pair.
Then there's lining them up correctly when you put them on the Velcro...... a whole new game with this (Sears) new gadget.
I have a Makita ROS and a Ridgid variable speed ROS. I love them both. I've never found the vibration to be a problem. It's invigorating in a way. Sort of like those things in the malls that you pay money to put your feet on, only (almost) free!
Respectfully,
Pete
PS: (Now who's gonna tell me they do or don't sand with their feet? Never mind!)
I applaud the innovation!
We'll have to see how the quality is; I'd love to see it shop tested.
Looked it up on the craftsman site. It has two hose adapters for shop vac. The paper is hook and loop and it implies the sections are available independantly because they say "change only the worn disc." However, after 5 minutes of searching, I could not find the discs for sale on their website.
It would be neat if this thing came with a punch where you could cut a standard 5" hook and loop into the two sections.
Looks like a time for a trip to Sears. I've got to go check it out. I just hope I don't end up buying this just to play with, its quite pricey for an ROS. But if I need a tool fix, it's a lot cheaper than a new table saw.
If you do pull the trigger on this, make sure to give us your feedback.
It's interersting that this showed up in Popular Science. Is Craftsman that far off the woodworking magazines' radar?
Popular Mech. often has new (unusual) tools.
Have to fill the pages you know.
Was near a Sears today and decided to stop in and check out the sander. It's grip is on the larger side. Whereas my Bosch fits nicely in my hands, this sander seemed a little on the large side, but I didn't really think it was uncomfortable. I have no need for another sander right now, but if I needed one, I think I'm just curious enough to buy this one. Someone has to be on the bleeding edge. I just bought a JDS portable cyclone without finding any reviews on it!For $99 it comes with the cyclonic dust collector as well as a shop vac adapter. Also included are 15 sheets of sand paper. Unfortunately, I did not see the sand paper out of the box nor was I able to find any in their sand paper aisle! That's a real sore point.
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