If you were going to buy a spindle sander...

I bought the Ridgid *LINK*

Mike L

Last year I bought the Ridgid combination sander. Works great and dust collection is not so bad.


Ridgid

I second the Ridgid unit

Howard Rosenberg

good value

well-made

versatile

easy to live with

Re: If you were going to buy a spindle sander...

Bruce, a MN Galoot

I would not get the Delta benchtop model. I have one and found that the spindle tilts a little bit at the bottom of the stroke. I got it on C-list so I hadn’t read the reviews, but it appears a number of owners found the same thing.

Had My Ridgid for 15y

Mark Mandell - Gone Round in New Jersey

Got at the BORG on sale for $170

Spindle gear got toasted after 3-4 years of heavy use.

Took it to a designated shop.

3 THREE Days later a box arrived with a complete new machine.

Been bulletproof ever since

Still the best tool under $400 I've ever spent.

Whoa,

Barry Irby

I was thinking the Rigid, but had not checked the price. May have to sell some chickens. I do like the 4x24 sander option because I have a 4 x 24 sander so I have belts.

I do little with power tools...

David Weaver

..but the ridgid spindle sander is a nice machine.

I was semi-forced to buy one to work the outsides of guitars and some other bits, and it's not something I use that often, but it sure works just like you'd expect it to and there's aftermarket sleeves for it if you'd prefer them to the stock stuff.

Re: I second the Ridgid unit

John Jardin

As Rush would say "brevity is the soul of wit" and Howard expressed it perfectly.

I like the Rigid too, but...

John in NM

I've owned two of them. That should be a hint if you are looking for something beyond consumer grade. They are as good or better than everything else with that much plastic.

The belt sander option is really nice, I use that more than the spindles probably. I also have an industrial spindle sander now, but I still use that belt attachment in the Rigid too. Between the heavy spindle sander and a small slack belt sander I could probably get away from using the Rigid but I haven't yet. That too is a hint

Re: I second the Ridgid unit

Howard Rosenberg

That's really funny. Thanks John!

Now NLA,  but I got the PC hand-held.....

kneale brownson

....when it first came out. I wanted to use it on some large pieces. To use it for little stuff, I mounted it under a board I could fasten to a table saw table. There still are "poetable" hand-held spindle sanders available. Fortunately, the PC is still working for me many years later. When any part of it breaks, of course, I'll be in trouble.

I like the Ridgid too

John K Jordan

I've had the Ridgid combo oscillating spindle/belt sander for close to 20 years now (I think) and it's worked flawlessly. I've never used a professional/expensive one so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

I did buy a bunch of sanding sleeves when HD had a 90% off clearance sale which was nice too.

JKJ

Re: Minority Opinion

William Duffield

I've never used the Ridgid, so I don't have an opinion on it, but I've owned and used the Jet bench top model for several years, and I like it a lot. It's never given me any trouble. It puts out only a quiet, low rumble. I think (but you need to verify the specs) it has a longer spindles and throw (vertical oscillation), and at least when I bought mine, a larger diameter spindle was offered. It is kind of slow, and it doesn't have a belt sander attachment mode, but my PowerMatic 31A belt/disc sander compensates for that. The dust collection port below the table is competent, and I clamp on a hood that effectively collects dust above the table. Construction is all metal, and very sturdy.

Re: If you were going to buy a spindle sander...

Paul Blackwell

I've had a Grizzly for about 15 years now, and never a problem. The spindles range from 1/4 inch diameter to 4 inches, and dust collection is adequate. Length of the larger spindles (from about 1 inch to 4 inches) is 8 inches.

Re: Minority Opinion

Hank Knight

I second William's recommendation of the Jet. I have one and I've been very pleased with it.

Thanks everyone....

Barry Irby

I have struggled through the current project. Used the drum I have on the drill press and a Big cotter pin with sandpaper wound around it.

Did not realize the Rigid one was $267 at Home Depot. The Jet and Grizzly are more. I think I will continue to watch estate sales and FB Market Place and other online sales. Oddly, the biggest stumbling block was I don't have room for another machine. I was considering building a shop, but don't have room for that either. This is probably one of those things I would find fifty uses for if I had one.

Re: If you were going to buy a spindle sander...

C John Hebert

I also had Grizzly. The stand alone model for over 20 yrs. Never a problem. Loved the weight, especially for long, thick pieces. Came with an abundance of spindles at least 4" and up to 3" in diameter (I think)

Re: Now NLA,  but I got the PC hand-held.....

Walt

Believe it or not I recently saw an Asian branded sander that looked very much like the P-C oscillating spindle sander. I don't remember where I saw it now.