Replies

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jun 29, 2004 10:29pm | #1

   I have the Rigid and it does a pretty good job for what it is.  Spindle to table perpendicularity is a little off, so I flip the piece to even things out.  I keep threathening to tear into it and shim the table perpendicular to the spindle but haven't made good on that yet.  Since most curves are edges and not joints it isn't really a big deal.  It has a fair amount of power and it takes good technique to keep curves fair.  For serious shaping I use my old stationary 6x48 Rockwell b/s.  IF I needed more machine I'd look at the Jet, PM or Claytons.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   jackiechan | Jun 30, 2004 06:05am | #5

   John,

   I believe there are some set screws around the perimeter (or elsewere) of the table that can be loosened and retightened to correct for an out of square table.  This would have to be done in conjunction with releasing the table's tilt locking knob, and retightening as well.

   The Rigid machine has a tendency to pack away sanding dust in not readily visible places.  If you had been using the machine with the table at an angle, it is possible that dust has packed itself in somewhere and thus preventing you from bringing the table to 90 degrees.

   You might try taking off the sanding drum along with its insert, tilting the table, and giving everything a good blast of compressed air.Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jun 30, 2004 04:03pm | #6

   Will do.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

2. 
   stevemorris | Jun 30, 2004 04:17am | #2

   had the ridgid for several years, and use it regularly usually cleaning up patterns for routering

   no complaints, seems well made and the beltsander attachment is really slick although tracking adjustment can be tricky

   caulking is not a piece of trim

1. 
   Shopmole | Jun 30, 2004 04:34am | #3

   I just recently got the rigid even after hearing about the table square problem. It was on sale at the HD for 99.00 so I figured I couldn't loose too bad. It turns out it has allen screws to adjust the table squreness to the drum/belt. The belt tracking was a little finicky but it seems to have settled down( belt stretched to its limit?)

   I haven't had a problem but I've only had it about 1 month.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Jun 30, 2004 05:33am | #4

   I got the PC oscillating spindle sander.  So far, so good.  Made a little cabinet for it and have it hooked to my DC.

   A salesman at HD told me that they were discontinuing spindle sanding sleeves.  When I ask why he said cause they were discontinuing the Rigid oscillating belt sander and that was the only thing they sold that used spindle sleeves.  He said they never sold any of the Rigid units.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

3. 
   sharptools | Jul 01, 2004 03:28pm | #7

   Mike:

   I know they're not easy to find, but a used industrial-type OSS would serve you well for many years.  I purchased a State OSS at a local auction for $85.00, and it is an outstanding machine.  After using it, I can't imagine struggling with a benchtop machine like the Delta or Rigid.

1. 
   mudman | Jul 01, 2004 08:31pm | #8

   Thank yall,

   It sounds like the ridgid is a good deal. However, I have done a little looking and have seen a solution that I like a lot, belt edge sanders. Some of them have a table at the end of the machine around the idle drum that can ge used as a spindle sander. Most of the machines offer a sleeve conversion kit. Of course it seems that the cheepest oscillating edge sanders are well over a grand. HHMMM. I've been looking at the PC handheld OSS as well, but I am concerned about noise and power.

   I might start looking for a used oscillating edge sander, like the JET.

   What do yall think?please excuse my spelling.