Hello everyone,
I bought the Ridgid oscilating drum/belt sander this week and have put over 500 feet (times three sides) of face frame and moulding through it. I’d have to say that it is a good tool for the money. I almost bought a $600 belt/ disk sander but couldn’t get over the idea of sanding across the grain, and the small (6″) contact area of the belt in the vertical configuration. I would have bought a large edge sander if there was one in the area but it would have to be ordered and I need it now.
The tool is quiet and the dust collection is suprisingly effective. The table is large enough to sand 4 foot long pieces but is made of painted thinly cast aluminium and not flat or easily set to 90 to the belt, it is good enough for finish sanding though. The paint has pretty much wore off as well. It has plenty of power and the tracking mechanism works, but the return spring is too weak so you have to pop the adjustment knob with the heel of your hand if you loosen it to track up. That may not make any sence unless you look at it. I wish there was a better option on the market but this seems to be the only tool of its type. Regardless it is a lot better than a vertical belt sander, and a great tool for the small to medium sized shop.
Mike
Replies
Hey, Mike, thanks for the report. Seems consistent with others' experience with this sander. Surprising they haven't fixed those glitches, eh? Question: Are you able to get it set to 90*s? If so, will it stay in place? How long?
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
FG,
I guess so. We really are not referencing off the table very much. For what we are doing right now it is close enough. I didn't check the stock to see if it remained square. The Table holds its settings well enough though. I will still probably buy a large edge sander. Grizzly has some apearingly amazing prices on their large machines.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
I have the early model and I do like it. I wish it had auto tracking for the belt like my old skil 4" x 21.75" hand held. Its still good value.
mike,
I've got one of those! Actually it's the second one I've had. First one had a problem with the motor. Had to give it a start with the palm of my hand to get the belt going. Returned it to BOB, no questions and this one has been, as you said, not bad for the money. Have had no problems with it.
You're right about no other options for a similar machine. The "quality" units are either spindle only, disc only or disc and vertical belt. Although this machine has been around for at least 2-3 years, I've yet to see another mfg. come out with one.
I don't use it very much and I've only tilted the table once or twice but I don't use it where precision is an issue and it's just about all I need as grinding away wood with abrasives is a port of last resort for me.
Works well for small curved parts etc.
Regards,
Mack
"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
After looking around I think the reason that Delta or one of the others has not made a comparable machine is that it would likely cost the same as a large edge sander. You can get a 6" x 80" for $450 to $600.http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G1531 I really would have ordered this machine if I didn't need it so quickly. -----> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G0512
Who knows maybe they just haven't noticed the Ridgid is selling well.
Mike
P.S. Do any of yall think that the whole idea of the vertical belt sander is dumb? I think that I know why they make them that way, because they always stick the disk sander on the other side of the motor. That prevents them from orienting the motor verticaly. It just seems like such a useless tool; causes tearout, sands cross grain, too narrow to prevent gouging stock. please excuse my spelling.
mike,
My only experience with a disc/vertical belt sander was back in the Navy. It was used in the aviation structure shop for shaping sheet metal; specifically, aluminum. The disc was rarely used and the belt was always 180 grit.
I try to do as little sanding as possible, doing as much finish work with edge tools as I can. I would have little or no use for one of those machines in my shop.
I totally agree with your assessment that these machines are not high on the "need to have" list for WW'ing!!
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Exactly, yet nearly every small to medium sized shop has one. They must sell well for the manufacturers, I think delta make more than 6 different models. On any of my nice stuff we use scrapers, but on large jobs that is not practical.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
he mike. any problems finding replacement drums?
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