Replies

1. 
   DJK | Apr 11, 2007 03:38pm | #1

   I agree with your statements, been using the same for 6 or 7 years with great results. While it's not a wide belt it does provide an excellent finish with minimal RO work before finishing.

   DJK

2. 
   RickL | Apr 11, 2007 03:43pm | #2

   Sounds like you never had the  platen working properly. You can go right to finishing with the platen.  Widebelts without a platen and drum sanders leave small ripples somewhat like the marks left by a planer. I've been using SCMI and Timesavers widebelts in commercial shops for 30 years. Nothing wrong with Bridgewood tools at all but I don't think it was set up to it's best capabilities. Dust shouldn't be able to get under the platen. The oscillation actually gives a better finish. Drum sanders tend to leave more linear  scratches and the oscillation blends the scratch lines better. I've also done a lot of work with metal using  widebelt and stroke sanders. The surface finish is even more noticable with metal than wood.

   I'm also a big advocate of the stroke sander. The best option for the small shop. Used you can get them for almost nothing and again you can go right to finishing without hand sanding.

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   Edited 4/11/2007 8:45 am ET by RickL

   
   

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   Edited 4/11/2007 8:50 am ET by RickL

1. 
   rompus62 | Apr 11, 2007 07:19pm | #3

   In regard to the dust under the platen it might have been a dust collector problem but my boss never wanted to spend the time to figure it out. In regards to an oscillating sander hiding scratches better I disagree.My sander does not leave marks perpendicular to the grain,they are parrallel without the oscillating marks.In the final analysis I don't want to see any scratches from the sander so if they are parallel or not doesn't matter,the sander is meant to make it easier to do final sanding without using too many grits hand sanding or orbital sanding,which I know you are well aware of. I have used sanding master and timesaver machines and they do a fine job,like I said in my review for a 1 or 2 man shop the drum is great and does a comparable job. For a commercial shop it might not be practical.No offense but I used a stroke sander for 5 years and hated the thing. It took up too much space and certainly requires skill to use properly, as oppossed to putting in a machine.Edited 4/11/2007 12:27 pm ET by rompus62

   Edited 4/11/2007 12:30 pm ET by rompus62

3. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 13, 2007 03:55am | #4

   That is the dedicated sander? Did you consider the planer as well?

   Best,

   John

1. 
   rompus62 | Apr 15, 2007 01:57pm | #5

   Sorry John,I didn't get any e mails that you replied. It is the dedicated sander,the planer combo has a smaller head for sanding .I would not recommend the combo machine it since the rep at Woodmaster said it will not do as good a job as the dedicated sander.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 15, 2007 02:22pm | #6

   OK, Thanks!John

1. 
   user-189774 | Apr 15, 2007 08:55pm | #7

   I have WoodMaster's 25" molder/planer. The drum sanding function is far and away the weakest accessory of the machine in fact I don't even use it. That said the molding, planning, and gang rip saw is flawless. When I get the money together I will be getting a dedicated drum sander from WoodMaster.