Replies

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Sep 09, 2004 08:11pm | #1

   A disk sander is for putting random flat spots on things that should be curved.  A spindle sander is for putting gouges in stuff that should be straight.  A belt sander is for making miters where the joint curves just a little bit in both directions.

   They all have their purpose.  I find less use for a disk sander.  Can be helpful for miters, but I do fine with just a saw and plane.  I have a long skinny belt sander.  This is sometimes useful for table legs and compound curves.  I use my spindle sander most.  But, it depends on what sort of stuff you build.  Yes, there's a big difference in quality.  There's some real junk and some very nice stuff.  I wouldn't go out an buy one of each.  Pick a project.  Figure which type would help most for that.  Buy something that's a good value given the useage and your budget.  Repeat as necessary.  It took me about 15 years to gradually get 3 or 4 stationary sanders.  The most useful and most expensive was the thickness sander.

2. 
   JohnWW | Sep 09, 2004 11:31pm | #2

   Different machines have their strengths and weaknesses, usually one style of machine is much better than the others for a specific job.  So the question is what do you want to sand and why?

   John W.

1. 
   mudman | Sep 10, 2004 01:05am | #3

   John,

    I build built in cabinetry (usually paint grade) but I am starting to move towards nicer stain grade built-ins and furniture. The style of furniture I like is clean lines subtle curves, light or no stain, stuff that really shows the grain. Most of what is shown in the FWW gallery pics. I do not like blocky stuff (art and crafts) or overly ornate (victorian). I imagine lots of long shallow curves (oscilating spindle sander) and the usual stretchers, tapered table legs, etc. Because of the work I have been doing I generally sand after assembly using a ROS. So, furniture will be very different in that respect. I hope that explains what I will be using it for. As for why, so the finish looks better!! I also like the idea of using scraper for the final surface.

   I know that I want an osscilating spindle sander (OSS), I already could have used it on several jobs. However, I assume that it is easy to screw up a tapered table leg on a OSS. Using either a stationary belt sander or a disk sander looks like it will sand across the grain, that seems bad. Or do you feed stock along the top of a stationary belt sander the way you use a hand held one, but upside down? That seems prone to launching lumber.

   Thank you for your help,

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   JohnWW | Sep 10, 2004 06:57pm | #4

   Mike,

   Disk sanders are primarily used to clean up end grain and adjust the fit of joints that have end grain, a miter for instance. 

   An oscillating spindle sander would be the best tool for most of work you describe, a horizontal belt sander would be the tool for doing flat surfaces such as legs.  Horizontal belt sanders aren't that common but Ridgid makes an OSS that converts into a horizontal sander.  I have one, it works well and has held up under steady use for several years.

   John W.

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 12, 2004 01:21am | #6

   "That seems prone to launching lumber."  I believe you can have a stop that will help prevent launching your workpiece.  I have a combination disc/belt sander (8"/48" I think?).  Haven't used it a whole bunch yet, but have attached small workpieces to a bigger-sized piece to protect my hands, and then lowered it onto the sanding surface.

   PS:  The disc sander can also be used to finish sand circular surfaces by using a jig with a pivot point, or other shapes using a template.

   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" .... :>) 

   Edited 9/11/2004 6:22 pm ET by forestgirl

1. 
   mudman | Sep 13, 2004 05:58pm | #7

   Forest girl,

    Thank you, and the others, for the replies. My launching concern arises when the the stop cannot be used because of the length of the piece, such as a table skirt.

    I have seen the Ridgid OSS/ horizontal belt sander, and like the design a lot. The horizontal orientation makes a lot of sense to me because it allows you to sand with the grain. I worry about the accuracy of the table on the Ridgid unit, but have not found a better version of that tool offered by other companies.

   As for an OSS, is it easy to sand scallops into flat stock? Seems like it would be.

   Thank you all again,

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   johnnyinbda | Sep 14, 2004 01:24am | #8

   check out the grizzly g0529, gives you the best of both in one machine. I have the delta 31-300 6x48 w/12"disk which i picked up before i saw this, i would have went with this.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G0529

   johnnyJohnnyinbda

2. 
   mudman | Sep 14, 2004 06:05am | #9

   Johnny,

   Thanks for the sugestion. I have actually been thinking about buying that exact machine. This whole line of questioning began (in another post) with me trying to figure out weather I would use a disk sander. It looks like a belt sander is more usefull but only if it is horizontal. Other wise the sanding action is very simular. I don't have a hand held belt sander so I am thinking that I could get the Dewalt with the horizontal frame and use that, but I hate the noise of a universal motor. Although considering that space is a challenge I may be better off going that way; get the grizzly and a handheld belt sander.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

3. 
   Mutinyguy | Oct 11, 2004 03:26am | #10

   How do you like your Delta 31-300 belt disc sander?

   Jim

4. 
   johnnyinbda | Oct 11, 2004 04:14am | #11

   Its nice, went together good, i`m out of the country so i have used it very little, it tracks good, has lots of power.

   I did order the pneumatic 3" sanding drum for it.

   johnny

   Johnnyinbda

   Edited 10/10/2004 9:42 pm ET by johnny

3. 
   TomHigby | Sep 11, 2004 06:45pm | #5

   The disc sander is aggressive, but works well on convex surfaces: the OSS is best for concave surfaces.  I use my lathe for a disc sander, screwing a 12"ply-wood disc to a face plate.  This has the great advantage of adjustable speed, so you don't have the risk of burning your work piece.  There is room on the lathe bed for a generous table. 

   Tom