Jump to content
🎄 🎄 🎄 2024 Custom Ornament Business Kit - Now Available - SALE 50% Off Through Dec. 2nd ×
Ornaments For Charity eBook - Designers Wanted! ​​​​​​​🙏 ×

Spindel sander question


kywoodmaster

Recommended Posts

I have it, several people I know also have it.. They like it, to me the belt part is worthless.  Only good for smaller pieces of wood not much sanding surface. I Keep it only for the spindle sander.  I like it and use it quit often.   Like I said , most people I know like it.

Edited by Scrappile
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Think it'll depend on the projects you make. I have the Ridgid brand, bought used with a awesome heavy Ridgid stand  for a very good deal, so I don't know anything about the WEN but "other" WEN tools have turned out to be decent for me for the price etc. 

Like others have said the belt sander doesn't have a lot of surface area so you're not going to sand a real large area. I use it quite a lot to sand the bottom of my desk clocks to be sure they're flat before gluing to the base. I also have a combo belt / disc sander but I have to say it's nice to be able to sit the clock on the table of the spindle sander rather than hope I'm holding it level so when I glue it to the base it's standing straight, LOL.. Also nice that the table top can adjust for angles fairly easy if you do need to sand a angle. I do "carefully" sand the edges of my cutting boards on it too.. If you keep the table top waxed and slick it so the bigger pieces you sand can glide across even though the belt is small if you can move steady you're able to sand those 13 x 17 inch cutting board edges with fairly easy.. you just have to move steady and even pressure. A cutting board doesn't have to be precise like some things might need to be but again, easier to sit it on a flat table and glide it across than to try holding it on my belt / disc sander. I can't say if I've ever used the spindles as I use the belt part most.. so as I said, guess it depends on your projects you make.    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Rigid is about 18 years old. I had a machinist make me some longer spindles for the thicker band saw boxes I was making. I suppose I use the belt and spindles about equally. The belt is great for "sanding to the line". If a sanding job exceeds the capability/capacity of the Rigid, my Shopsmith 6X48 belt sander comes in to play. Then, there's the 12" disc sanders...of which I'm not a fan. Too easy to sand the skin off knuckles.😬

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info.  I also have a 6in belt/disc sander that gets minimal usage. 

My wife has discovered the Steve Goods Vase patterns and she said that since I was retiring the middle of June I should have plenty of time to make her a bunch of these.  I think the spindle would be great for that purpose. 

I have decided to get a spindle sander but was wondering if I should go ahead with the combo unit.  I have read some of the reviews on all of the brands I am considering and a lot of them complains about not being able to get the table square to the belt on all the brands.  Do any of you have this problem?

I have looked at Rigid, Wen, Harbor Freight and Grizzly.  Any other suggestions?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, kywoodmaster said:

I have decided to get a spindle sander but was wondering if I should go ahead with the combo unit.  I have read some of the reviews on all of the brands I am considering and a lot of them complains about not being able to get the table square to the belt on all the brands.  Do any of you have this problem?

I have looked at Rigid, Wen, Harbor Freight and Grizzly.  Any other suggestions?

My only experience is with the Rigid and table to belt angles (including 90°) is not a problem. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, BadBob said:

I have the Ridgid. I mostly use the smallest spindle. I have a piece of hardboard notched to fit around the spindle for sanding small pieces to eliminate the bump I get when the piece I am sanding moves from the table to the plastic insert. The dust collection works well. 

I'm trying to picture that. Can you ad a pic? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...