Sander recommendations?

[Razorburne]

Hi Everybody! I'm just getting started on this adventure in scrollsawing. I have my a Dewalt 788 and a good mixture of Flying Dutchman spiral and reverse tooth blades. It's more than enough to get me started. But I am curious how important/useful you think it will be to eventually invest in a sanding machine and if so, which one?

 

I'm leaning towards the Ridgid oscillating belt/spindle sander. I'm assuming this will come in handy if I get into segmenting/intarsia, or for basic sanding of shapes and projects.

 

Any words of advice or recommendations on a sander? Am I right in thinking that I can get away without one for some time?

[amazingkevin]

Hi Everybody! I'm just getting started on this adventure in scrollsawing. I have my a Dewalt 788 and a good mixture of Flying Dutchman spiral and reverse tooth blades. It's more than enough to get me started. But I am curious how important/useful you think it will be to eventually invest in a sanding machine and if so, which one?

 

I'm leaning towards the Ridgid oscillating belt/spindle sander. I'm assuming this will come in handy if I get into segmenting/intarsia, or for basic sanding of shapes and projects.

 

Any words of advice or recommendations on a sander? Am I right in thinking that I can get away without one for some time?

hi Keith,i've scrolled for about 8 years before i got a belt sander 6"x36" with a 8" disc on the side of it from harbor freight.at the time i had made over 800 key chains.A belt sander saved me so much time it was unbelievable I had done a few hundred and then got the sander.Things were flying like a donut shop dozens completed a day.i bought a used oscillating sander and still have never used it.I use a dual action orbital hand held electric as my go to a lot.Sanding mops are very much needed and i make my own.The scroll reverse blades leave a clean cut on both sides of your project so I'm hooked on them to save sanding.Throw us all the questions you can .Were here to help save you you time on the learning curve of scrolling.Glad to have you here friend Keep coming back!

[don in brooklin on]

 I have had the Ridgid for many years.  They are really handy and the warranty is fantastic.  I was moving and the mover did something so I could not get the belt sander off the post.  Took to the repair depot and they tried and couldn't so when I went to pick it up Ridgid had replaced it under warranty.  Ne purchase has last more than 15 years.

 

I do some Intarsia and it does come in handy.

 

For Intarsia I built a sanding station with a flex drum on one end of a variable speed grinder and a wonder wheel on the other.  Great for Intarsia.

 

I recently bought a Flatmaster which I use other various things but the was an impulse buy and not a real necessity. 

 

The best is still a good Random Orbital Sander.

 

Edited January 20, 2017 by don in brooklin on

[Scrolling Steve]

I have read good things about the ridgid rig !....Good luck with your choice and let us know what you get.

[Razorburne]

Thanks guys. I forget to mention that I do have a handheld variable speed random orbital sander. It works great and I use it in most of my other woodworking.

 

I suppose I assumed (incorrectly?) I might need something else like a belt sander, disc sander, Dremel multitool, etc to shape pieces or help flatten a stray cut that is supposed to be straight.

[cmarsch]

Welcome to the addiction!

 

You will find out as you go that you will need many different sanders. If you have a random orbital already I would get yourself a disc belt sander next. AND if you do get into the intarsia I would then invest in some type of inflatable drum sander. I have both the belt disc sander and drum flap sander from Grizzly. I also use a 150 and 220 grit sand mops for my work. I also a have a Drexmel with the flex shaft for the mini drum sanders.

[WayneMahler]

I can vouch for the Ridgid Sander. Had mine for years and never had any trouble with it. For intarsia work, you will need something with more finesse. Something like a Dremel or Flex sanding ball and a sanding mop. I know Judy Gale had a lot of information on her web site. http://www.intarsia.com.

At any rate, welcome to the village and the addiction. 

[Sycamore67]

I have the Ridgid sander and great for some things but not so much for small pieces. I also have a pneumatic drum sander which I run on an old Shopsmith.

 

I have Flap Sanders, Mac Mops and a Dremel with small sanding drums and carbide cutters.

 

I probably due a lot of hand sanding for Intarsia using cloth backed strips.

 

How people approach sanding will have to do with their focus. If you are making things to sell, you want relatively quick sanding and likely economical. I am making things not to sell and not in any hurry.

[ike]

I have a 4' belt sander with a disc on the side ( Harbor Freight) and  3 mouse sanders. that is it. i have a small shop and I don't have room for a bunch of sanders.

They all would be nice, but to me they are not  worth the room that occupancy

IKE.

[Razorburne]

I'm wondering what you all think of something like this:

 

http://www.wenproducts.com/store/sander/4x6Belt-Disc-Sander-Item-6502

[cmarsch]

The only thing I have that is by WEN is a ceiling mounted air cleaner/filter which works great. As far as power tools I can't vouch.

[stoney]

I'm wondering what you all think of something like this:

 

http://www.wenproducts.com/store/sander/4x6Belt-Disc-Sander-Item-6502

I can't tell you much about current Wen products but years ago I bought a Wen handheld sander and it didn't last very long.   I think their products were quite cheaply made.   

[ike]

I have a 4" Belt sander and a 1" belt sander with the backing removed to get the curves  and these are from Harbor Freight and they do the job  just fine. I have had them for about 5 years now. 

IKE

[hawkeye10]

Hi Everybody! I'm just getting started on this adventure in scrollsawing. I have my a Dewalt 788 and a good mixture of Flying Dutchman spiral and reverse tooth blades. It's more than enough to get me started. But I am curious how important/useful you think it will be to eventually invest in a sanding machine and if so, which one?

 

I'm leaning towards the Ridgid oscillating belt/spindle sander. I'm assuming this will come in handy if I get into segmenting/intarsia, or for basic sanding of shapes and projects.

 

Any words of advice or recommendations on a sander? Am I right in thinking that I can get away without one for some time?

I bought three of these, one each of three different grits. While the price is on the high side it is my opinion they are worth the money. Very good quality IMO.

 

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/mm07204/

[Rolf]

Let me preface this with saying that I am a tool junky and I hate sanding. Sanding tool needs are project dependent, Intarsia calls for different than say cabinet building. 

But for general scroll work my most used tools, started with a Random orbital, replaced with the SandFlee with a Mac mop on the end shaft. 1" belt sander with 6" disk .Disk replaced by a Delta 12" disk sander.

I got into Intarsia, Built a 6" pneumatic drum sander 2" on the other side, Jet Oscillating spindle sander.  

I cut and need lots of thin and different thickness woods so I now have a Supermax 1938 drum sander. It along with the Sand flee get constant use.

 

Power sanding requires good dust collection!

 

I know, over the top, as stated above a good belt disc combo, a random orbital palm sander an a mop sander will take care of most of your needs, Add as your needs change. 

[Chiloquinruss]

Give these guys a looksee.  I built their drum sander kit.  Love it.  I also have a vibrator hand held and one of those HF belt jobs.  I use them all.  But for the bigger flat pieces I love the drum.  Russ

 

http://stockroomsupply.ca/shop/

[Ron Johnson]

Purchased Delta 1" belt, 5" disc combination sander many years ago for $69.00. It's one of my most useful sanding tools. Highly recommended. As for a spindle sander I turn my drill press into one saving me space and $$$. But most of my sanding jobs are done with cabinet scrapers which again saves me many $$. The greatest benefit using scrapers is your not breathing dust.

Edited January 23, 2017 by Ron Johnson

[Scrolling Steve]

I have the WEN spindle sander, have  not had it very long, so far so good !

[Sparkey]

I have the Rigid sander. I hate to think what it would be like to sand the bowls that I make without it. I love it and it has a warranty that can't be beat.

[Rolf]

Ron I am always amazed at the finish you can get with cabinet scrapers, but they don't work so well on fret work

[BeerBrewer]

I just got the ridgid spindle belt sander for xmas and love it. I also use a sanding mop, dremel with a small drum, a makita vibrating palm sander and plan old sand paper. I'd love a soft spindle sander, like the Seyco unit but its a tad pricey.