Sanders redux

[Magpie]

I am hardcore into intarsia now and need to move up from my palm sander. I saw a Delta one-inch belt sander at Lowe's--is that a good choice? The disc sander is somewhat cheaper but I don't think it would be as easy to use for some of those little odd-shaped intarsia pieces. I can only go about $100, and the cheaper the better as long as it will do the job. Thanks!

[Dusty Buffalo]

I have a Ryobi combination disk/belt sander. It was about $100 bucks. It works fine but I've noticed that Lowes has a Delta (I think that's what it is) for about the same amount.

I wish I would have gotten the Delta only because the disk sits above the belt as opposed to down lower. The disk would work better for some smaller piece or odd shaped ones without the sander housing getting in the way.

Check out their websites to compare what they look like.

Just my $.02

[workin for wood]

sort of depends what part of the intarsia's your going to use the sander on. I have a sears 1" and barely ever use it. it's good for sharpening chisels.
You can buy a 4" wide stationary belt sander with a 6" disc for under $100. Penn State industries is where I bought mine and it works great for shaping parts as long as the wood is not too hard because it isn't a super powerhouse...that's the first budget sander I bought when I started intarsia's. What you really need is a 6x48 stationary belt sander for intarsia. You can find them farely cheap too. Unlike most tools, you don't need the very best quality when it comes to belt sanders. I bought mine out of the paper for $100 used. Check around, check papers and Ebay. Try Grizzly, that's a cheap tool company. The 6x48 offers high power for grinding down pieces, a large surface area, and you can use the end of the sander like a drum. And of course it will come with a disc, they always do. It will also have a dust port which you'll find very important. If you don't have a dust collector, you can plug a shop vac into it. So my recommendation is to wait and buy the big monster which is the most versatile and you won't be sorry. Keep looking, you will find one in your price range, maybe not new, but surely a used one.

OH, by the way, you should be able to re-position the belt on your ryobi to go from horizontal to vertical position which may take the disk out of the way.
most stationary belts can be re-positioned.

and i should mention that the 1" belts break easy.

[Daryl185]

I was at Harbour Freight the other day and the are having a special on a oscillating spindel sander it was priced at around 79 USD

[workin for wood]

That's another great suggestion Daryl. I don't know how I'd survive without my oscillating spindle sander. That's a key tool for shaving pieces to fit nice and snug.

[Dusty Buffalo]

Unfortunately, my disk portion is so far down below the belt that adjusting the belt has no affect on it.

That spindle sander sounds like a deal I may need to check into.

[Daryl185]

heres the link but alas it looks like the sale is over but the price still seems afordable http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95088

[Magpie]

It seems that Santa Claus is bringing me a belt sander, so I may be able to get the oscillating one also! Muahahha Thanks for the advice--I'm learning my way around woodworking tools but there are sooooo many.

[Rolf]

I am also looking for a spindle sander. I am looking very hard at the Jet. I like the fact that it has a 1/4 inch spindle.
Any one have a Jet? If so how do you like it.?
I have all of this craft fair money that needs to be reinvested in the economy.

[Neal Moore]

Magpie...check out www.seyco.com and click on accessories. I bought the #SK-3 a few weeks ago and am super happy with it. I like the fact that you can mount a course abrasive on one shaft and a fine abrasive on the other. The soft core prevents burning the wood and also allows shaping on flat surfaces and is a viable alternative to inflatable drums. I have done six intarsia projects on mine so far and see no noticeable wear on the sanding sleeves yet!! It's not what one would call "cheap" but it is great for intarsia and other shop tasks. It is quiet while running also. I'm not advertising for Seyco...simply replying to a question and relating my experience with this equipment. I love it!!!

[Rivari]

I don't do any intarsia work but I do own a Delta belt/disc sander combo (No clue which model?)) and I have mixed feelings about it in the minor jobs I do put on it.

Belt tension has been a bit of an issue. When I fire the beast up the belt tends to creep to one side or the other. I have tried tightening things up but have been unable to get enugh out of it to stop the creeping. With the creeping one edge or the other of the belt tends to rub.

Location of the disk sander is poorly placed. I always feel like I am going to get my shirt sleeve stuck in it when I am using the belt sander. I would like to see an after market sheild similiar to what dremel has on their disk sander for the 1800. This would offer a bit of protection to the user when they are not actively using the disk.

Bottom line is that I beleive Delta makes a decent product for the price but if I knew then what I know now I would have been willing to spend a bit more on a product that is a bit more user friendly.

[Gill]

Todd's comments come as no surprise to me. I once bought a bottom-of-the-range belt/disc sanding station and whilst it was good as far as it went, it was very much for light, occasional use only. I soon burned out the motor .

A couple of years ago I acquired a much heftier sanding station at about ten times the price of my first machine. It's proven itself to be worth every penny. I probably use it more than any other machine in the shop except for the scroll saws.

Gill

[Rivari]

I always feel like I've achieved a new intellectual level when Gill echos my thoughts.

[workin for wood]

I have the Jet/performax oscillating spindle sander Rolf. I wouldn't recommend any other spindle sander but that one. Yes it's the only one with the 1/4 sleeve and that's the one I use the most. It also has a nice smooth solid top and pretty much zero vibration. Good dust collection on the back, nice and easy to change spindles out the front. Sleeves aren't too expensive and last a long time. I use it on a daily basis..I verify the squareness of my intarsia pieces using the 1/4 spindle, and trim pieces to fit with it as well.
I have a piece of plywood that I mount over the top to create a zero clearance insert for sanding very small objects such as eyes. The Jet is the Shizbomb !!!!
Quality at Jet has always been pretty good, but since buying out powermatic, Jet quality has skyrocketed. I just wish the buy-out went the other way, because I like the powermatic yellow over the Jet white. That spindle sander is known as Jet, but originally it was the powermatic...a friend of mine has the old yellow one and his still works after years of use.

[utbva]

Jeff, Thanks for the input about the Jet spindle sander. It is one that I am considering. Has anyone used the Rigid Oscillating sander from HD? Where it has an interchangeable belt sander looks like a good idea.