Looking for the best combination of stationary sanders
I have been spending countless hours trying to decide what is going to be the optimal combination of stationary sanders for my shop. Right now I have a Rigid belt/spindle combination that I got from the orange borg after I saw the sander test in FWW. It may have gotten very high ratings in the test, but I have to say I have been very disappointed in the performance. I simply can't make the sleeves and belts stay firmly in place regardless of how much I try adjust them. Are these typical problems for this unit or am I just too stupid to figure out how to use this thing even though I have even read the manual! :confused: The fact is that due to the continuing problems the Rigid is getting less and less use in my shop as I usually choose to sand everything either manually or with my portable power sanders.
Anyway, I have come to the point of my shop development that I need to get my stationary sanding in order. Here is my current "shopping list":
1. Open end drum sander 18/32. I guess a wide belt sander would be nicer but at this point over the reasonable scope for me.
2. Combo disc and belt sander (e.g. G1014Z or G1276)
3. Oscillating spindle sander.
4. Edge sander maybe not needed in addition to the belt sander??
My main shop activity is making furniture mostly from hardwood. I am hoping that my total stationary sanding solution will cost no more than $2500.
I would like to hear your expert opinions in this matter. What combination of sanders have you found necessary and properly functional in your shop, and if you are especially happy with any specific brand of a sander type mentioned above, I would like to hear about it.
Pete
Maybe we should start spending your money, Pete.
You said you want to spend at most $2,500, and shop space is not a problem. Here's my shopping list, which totals $2,102 (including shipping, assuming you do not live near a Grizzly showroom and would not have to pay tax):
Grizzly G1140 6"x80" edge belt sander: $691
Grizzly G1079R 16" drum sander: $971
Jet 708404 benchtop OSS plus Jet 709534 3" drum: $440 (Amazon)
Now let's creep up a little. Instead of the Jet benchtop OSS, pony up another $251 for the Grizzly G1071 floor-standing OSS ($691). Notice that the G1071 includes 10 spindle sizes, 1/4" to 4".
Alternatively, let your budget creep up to $2,622 to upgrade from Grizzly's 16" drum sander to their "Battle of Hastings" G1066R 5hp 24" drum sander ($1491).
With either drum sander, consider the $25 upgrade to permit the use of H&L paper. I have that on my baby drum, and like it. Some drum sander owners don't like H&L, however, as they don't think it provides a flat enough finish. It may depend on whether you would want to switch paper often.
A few points about edge sanders:
- As well as sanding faces and edges, you can round edges by simply rotating the board up from the table. I often sand all surfaces and round edges, when desired, on my edge sander.
- Burning is only a problem on end grain, and then only with fine paper or if you press hard. If you use 80 grit for end grain (for rough sanding or squaring only) and do it carefully, you can avoid burning.
- Going from an edge sander to the same size oscillating edge sander will greatly increase your cost. It will help in sanding end grain, and most or all of these machines include oscillating spindle sander attachments. The smallest spindle size tends to be 1-1/2", however, so you may find you need a separate OSS anyway, for the smaller sizes.
Cary