TripleJScroller Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hello everyone, I'm considering purchasing a new stationary belt/disk sander and I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations. I have about $150 that I can spend. Thanks, Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browders Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I bought a Ridgid from Home Depot after reading good reviews. It's worked very well for me. It's a little more expensive, $199.00 but has been well worth it. Jim oneleggimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have a 4" but will upgrade to a 6" next time. If you can find a 6" in your price range that's what I would get. There are a lot of good brands out there. I haven't heard of bad ones yet. Jim Finn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleJScroller Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I was originally going to get the Harbor Freight one since I could get it for about $60, but the reviews sort of scared me off. Lowe's sells the Skill for $120, but again the reviews are a bit mixed. I could probably spend $200 if I'm really nice to the wife on Valentines day this weekend...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Get this if you can fit it in your budget http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671 as shown on UTube Unless there is a compelling reason for a stationary belt, my preference runs for the oscillating both for belt and drum sander. oneleggimp and Sparkey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have the same Rigid sander that Doug posted. I am very happy with it. It has a lifetime warranty on everything including the motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have an expensive Jet 6 by 48 and have abused it for about 5 years now; works great. It also has a side flat round sander of 9" diameter. It was an in-store display model for $400. Had some scratches etc. The Ridgid suggested sure looks good to me; but check on belt availability! I do like the conversion of it and the warranty are both excellent features! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 My advice would be get one with a minimum of a 9" disk but larger if you can. I have the Ridgid and it works well for me but there is no disk sander with it. I also have a HF 12" disk sander that is a noisy beast, but it does it's job. I use it quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleJScroller Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'm really liking that Ridgid, thought like Scrappile says there is no disk. Do you guys that have it miss the disk sander or do you have a separate disk sander? I better get to buttering up the Wife if I'm going to bring one of these home.....lol. Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepy Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have a Delta 6x48 belt sander. Have found that the belts last a lot longer than the 4" I had before. I also use it for holding delicate pieces in place while I use a ROS. sullyscroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) Josh It really depends on what are you think you might be doing with it. I initially hesitated on Ridgid from my attitude that one tool doing two jobs may not do either one well. After reading many reviews and comments on this site and others, I went with the Ridgid and have no regrets and it occupies only one footprint in my shop rather than two. As mentioned I do like the action of the oscillating sander. There is no problem with belts as they are standard size. If you need something with a bigger belt or do no want oscillating then the Ridgid is not for you. For my use, when I need a disc sander I just have a palm sander which uses 8 hole five inch discs, The disc sander is also oscillating.or more appropriately random orbit when talking about a disc sander. For what I do the five inch is fine and the 9 or 12 inch disc sander would be much larger than I need but, again, it all depends on what you are planning to do with it. Most important thing is to get something that fits what you want to do with it so hopefully there will not be buyer's remorse. Edited February 12, 2016 by Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hello everyone, I'm considering purchasing a new stationary belt/disk sander and I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations. I have about $150 that I can spend. Thanks, Josh I researched for this item and of all the ones under $200 there was only one that I would consider and that is the Porter Cable 5 amp belt sander. I was given a combination belt/disc sander from Harbor Freight and after two uses, I gave it back. That one is driven by a useless leather belt and has no power to do much. It also is very noisy. Lowes carries the Porter Cable one that has great reports on it. It seems to have plenty of power and looks to be made very well. For me, I am saving up for that one. Good luck in your quest . Let us know what you decide on. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Josh I bought one of the HF sanders. They are under powered but for all I do have absolutely no complaints about it and it is only $60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have the one from Home Depot. Love it. The one before was a ryobi and inside a year the motor went bad. Shame on me for not registering the warranty, but I was not happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have a Delta 1" belt, 5" disc sander I had purchased several years ago for $60.00. For my purpose it's been great, highly rated and still available at a higher price of course. Love the footprint. For larger items I clamp my belt sander to the workbench. I also use my drill press as a drum sander. Being my work shop is only 12 x 8 space is limited to size of equipment I can use. So each person has to consider purpose, budget and space available. Good luck with your final decision Josh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrampaJim Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Just a cheap off brand one here, Its second hand that originally came from Menards. Works well for me. After a drill press, a sander is the next most used machine for a scroller like me. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvman44 Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I would recommend looking for a good used 6" belt with 9" disc. I have a Craftsman I bought new about 25 years ago for abt. $300.00 or $350.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kywoodmaster Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have an old 6" Craftsman but I really like the looks of that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 My most used equipment in my shop is my stationary belt/disc sander. I spend more time using it than any other tool. I have two of them that I got from Harbor freight for under $200 each. They are 6"x 48" belt sanders with a nine inch disc. I do not use the disc at all. In fact I did not even install it. These sanders are belt drivin by an induction motor with more than enough power. The belt tracks well. I have them set up in the vertical position and stand at them while using them. I made a dust collection "hood" to fit them. This "hood" was tricky to build but I did get it made so that changing out the belt is pretty easy. My dust collector works well with this tool. I am not a big fan of Harbor Freight equipment, but these tools work well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayton717 Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have the rigid that is posted. I have a separate disc sander but find I don't use it much besides sharpening my cheaper lathe tools with it. I do however use the Rigid a lot, both the belt and the drums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonylumps Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I just bought a WEN 4X36 from amazon.For what i need it works perfect.It is cast iron base Pretty heavy,But still able to lift it .Sanding belts are reasonable and easy to change.I also bought a spare toothed drive belt for insurance .Amazon has them and are cheap enough.The only problem I had was the plastic knob that holds the side table on, Could not get it tite enough. So I replace it with a socket head bolt.It was a little loud with the 80 grit belt that came with it,but it did quiet down with the 120 and 220 grit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have a HF it's OK but does lack some power, I get by with it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have a HF it's does what It should do but it is under powered I have been thinking about getting a replacement. the HF doesn't have much power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelCass Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have a Ryobi belt/disc sander and a rigid spindle sander. I use my belt/disc sander the most. I like it's smaller size as I can fit it just about anywhere and the belts are very easy to replace. It does a good job of sanding and was a reasonable price. I saw one on e-bay for 120.00, check Craigslist and see what they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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