Edge sander AND/OR Oscillating Spindle Sander?

[gordy haycock]

Just setting up a hobby wood shop to make toys, rocking horses, etc. for the grandkids and to do woodworking projects with my boys. Who knows what else I will find to do with the new tools. I have acquired a PM 2800b drill press, a Laguna 18" bandsaw, a Minimax FS Smart - 12" inch combo jointer/planer, a Hammer B3 winner sliding saw, an older USA made Delta shaper (never used), and a laguna DC.

I also recently purchased a used Supermax 37x2 sander and I would like to add an oscillating spindle sander. My thought was I could just make a jig for the OSC and use it both as a spindle sander and as a quasi edge sander.

What do you guys/gals recommend I do with the spindle/edge sander? Footprint of equipment isn't an issue. I'm just not sure I would use the edge sander that much.

Thanks

[Mike Chalmers]

How big an Spindle sander do you want? If 4" is big enough, I heartily recommend the Ridgid Spindle and edge sander combo. I had one, but 4" wasn't enough for my bandsaw boxes, so I got the full version of each. The Ridgid worked very well. In fact, if it wasn't for the capacity limitation, i would have stayed with it.

[Bruce Page]

I think if I were making full size rocking horses with their thick legs and body parts I would want a full fledged edge sander. Most edge sanders have end drums that you can use for inside curves.

[glenn bradley]

What Bruce said. I found the edge sander many times more useful than I ever would have imagined.

[Kent Adams]

Just setting up a hobby wood shop to make toys, rocking horses, etc. for the grandkids and to do woodworking projects with my boys. Who knows what else I will find to do with the new tools. I have acquired a PM 2800b drill press, a Laguna 18" bandsaw, a Minimax FS Smart - 12" inch combo jointer/planer, a Hammer B3 winner sliding saw, an older USA made Delta shaper (never used), and a laguna DC.

I also recently purchased a used Supermax 37x2 sander and I would like to add an oscillating spindle sander. My thought was I could just make a jig for the OSC and use it both as a spindle sander and as a quasi edge sander.

What do you guys/gals recommend I do with the spindle/edge sander? Footprint of equipment isn't an issue. I'm just not sure I would use the edge sander that much.

Thanks

That's some seriously expensive equipment for a starting hobby workshop.

[Mike Heidrick]

An amazing oes is made by vega. Uses a steel i-beam as a platen and it is graphite coated and 48" long. Machine uses 138" belts. The motors are marathon and a separate baldor one for oscilation if you choose that model. You can add tables at the end for round sanding (not spindle) and on the back. The back can be left flexible or a wooden platen can be added. It is made in decatur IL. Price is somewhere just north of $2k plus any options.

For oss (spindle) I like floor modle import ones like the grizzly. I think jet just released a fancier one but grizzly may be a price leader on new.

[Cary Falk]

I have a Grizzly 1071 OSS and a Jet 6x89 OES. I won't give either up.

[gordy haycock]

That's some seriously expensive equipment for a starting hobby workshop.

I am hoping I can get my boys and grandsons interested in woodworking and can pass the equipment on to them with I get off this big ball. I have bought all of it used, except for the drill press. Even paying retail for that, I am sitting at 52% of current retail value combined for all the equipment. I couldn't pass up some of the deals I have received. I've found over the years that you pretty much get what you pay for. Plus, I scoured this site and others to find out what was top notch equipment before I went looking. This site has been invaluable.

[Steve Kohn]

I have a Grizzly 1071 OSS and a Jet 6x89 OES. I won't give either up.

I also have the Grizz 1071 OSS and the PM version of the Jet edge sander. I found I use the edge sander more that the OSS. I would never give up either.

Since you have been buying used equipment I'd suggest you look for an edge sander that has a 3 phase motor. With a frequency drive you can then make it variable speed. That minimizes burning.

[John C Bush]

I have the Griz 1140 edge sander and a Griz 1071 OSS. Both are good machines for my use. I would recommend, and plan to upgrade to, an edge sander with a long platen and the oscillating feature would save belt burn. I will likely get a Griz(showroom is 1 12 hr drive). Been looking for used but don't show up often, usually monster machines too big for my needs. I had a PM edge sander-also a nice machine- but the table adjustments on the Griz are easier to use. The OSS works great but I rarely use the smaller spindles. The larger sleeves can be spendy and were hard to remove without destroying them until I tried a suggestion from a member here to toss the spindle in the freezer for a few hrs and the sleeves will slide off easily. I rub down the rubber spindle with talcum powder and that seems to help as well. The large table is nice to support large pieces as well. Sanders are more "kid friendly" for your grandkids too.
The edge sander gets a lot more use than the OSS but I would still recommend the larger 1071 over the Rigid, and be sure to get an edge sander with a long platen. JCB

[Jim Andrew]

Wow, you have found some good tools. Most of mine had to purchase new, as there is hardly any turnover of good used machines in my part of Kansas. I bought a 6x89 edge sander on closeout from Wilke machinery, find it to be a very handy machine. Used to sand edges with a hand held belt sander, but now just put doors, all kinds of panels on the edge sander just for a second or 2. Takes off saw marks, planer marks etc, and if you are routering the edges, makes your router cut smoother if you sand it first. And I use the end pulley for sanding round shapes. Mine has a little table on the end for that purpose.

[gordy haycock]

Has anyone used or seen the Rikon 50-250 edge sander? I talked to Rikon about them. They tried making a commercial edge sander but it didn't catch on so they are discontinuing and discounting them. They said there were no known problems with them. It is a 6"x108" with a 30+" platen. It looks like a decent deal at $1299.

[Rick Fisher]

Edge sander all the way.. You will use it 10x more than you ever suspected .. As Bruce said, most edge sanders have access to the back of the rubber wheel for inside curves..

[Martin Wasner]

I have both. The spindle sander is handy, but for my needs not as useful as the edge sander.

[glenn bradley]

Has anyone used or seen the Rikon 50-250 edge sander? I talked to Rikon about them. They tried making a commercial edge sander but it didn't catch on so they are discontinuing and discounting them. They said there were no known problems with them. It is a 6"x108" with a 30+" platen. It looks like a decent deal at $1299.

If you are at that price point and the tool is discontinued, I would just grab a Jet OES-80CS. Its not the best beast out there but, at about a grand it is a nice tool. If you want something more in the neighborhood of the other prime tools you mention, the Vega is a workhorse. Having owned an oscillating edge sander for awhile, if I had my wishes it would be for slower speed, screw adjustments for the table raising/tilting and screw adjustments for the platen tilt. Non of that is required but, if I was designing one . . .

[Michelle Rich]

I'd get both..if you are making toys, you will be needing smaller diameter sanding drums, and then an edge sander does the bigger stuff. i couldn't run a shop without mine

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Gordy, I would suggest the edge sander would be most useful.

If you really need a spindle sander do what I do, put the Felder sanding bobbin on the shaper..........Regards, Rod.

[gordy haycock]

OK, I purchased a Jet oscillating edge sander and it serves me well. I am now wanting to buy a spindle sander. Does anyone have the Delta floor model, 31-484? It looks nice. I like that the spindle tilts rather than the table. I have looked at the Jet and the Grizzly, but I can't find any reviews on the Delta. The Delta is priced higher than all the others, but there are some manufacturer reconditioned units on eBay for a really good price. I checked and they come with all the spindles and table inserts. The only drawback is there is only a 30 day warrantee. Does anyone have the Delta or seen or used it? Thanks

[keith wootton]

i think max makes the best spindle sanders. i have a full size shopfox and watch cl for a max. have a 16" max disk sander that i use more than the oss, but like the rest won't give up either. keith

[glenn bradley]

After a few iterations I landed with a disc/spindle combo (Grizzly G0529) and have been quite happy. If you have the disc covered a spindle only will do the trick; the tilting drum on the Delta is intriguing. Your required sleeve sizes may drive your decision.

[Wade Lippman]

If money doesn't matter buy the best of both and be done with it.
But it is does, the Rigid is a good suggestions. It sorta does both jobs and will give you a chance to see what you need. Who knows, maybe it is all you need.

[Keith Weber]

I have one of the little Jet bench top OSS units. Bought it about 11 or 12 years ago. It's a nice little unit for its size. I had to return the first one because the oscillating mechanism made a lot of noises that didn't sound healthy and grease wouldn't cure. Amazon took it back without issue and sent me a new one. The new one ran smooth and quiet. It gets into smaller concaves that I cant get into with the end drum on my edge sander.

[Cary Falk]

Gordy,
I would steer clear of Delta. They are all but dead. Parts are hard to get. I wouldn't pay more for that.
Cary

[Ben Rivel]

Gordy,
I would steer clear of Delta. They are all but dead. Parts are hard to get. I wouldn't pay more for that.
Cary
And what about the Laguna which seems to just rebrand Jet and Delta tools:

Jet BOS-5 (http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/jbos-5-benchtop-oscillating-spindle-sander-1-2hp-1ph-115v/708404) = Laguna SS|14 (http://www.lagunatools.com/Laguna-24-x-24-Oscillating-Spindle-Sander_2) = Delta 31-483 (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiZqq_FydzLAhUD2GMKHQKrDU8QFgglMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deltamachinery.com%2Fproducts %2Fsanders%2Fitem%2F31-483&usg=AFQjCNHhRlSmcNbmil9T3SYY07-zrz63_A&sig2=xT1XkF0nIoL1KgKkrgQW-Q&bvm=bv.117868183,d.cGc)

Jet OES-80CS (http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/oes-80cs-oscillating-6-x-89-belt-edge-sander/708447) = Laguna 6|89T (http://www.lagunatools.com/sander-pro-edge_2) = Delta 31-482 (http://www.deltamachinery.com/products/sanders/item/31-482)

Laguna SS|24T (http://www.lagunatools.com/Laguna-24-x-24-Oscillating-Spindle-Sander) = Delta 31-484 (http://www.deltamachinery.com/products/sanders/item/31-484)

Seems these models just change the paint color. But if Delta becomes hard to get parts for I bet the ones that matter between the two are all interchangeable.

[Roy Harding]

I'd get both..if you are making toys, you will be needing smaller diameter sanding drums, and then an edge sander does the bigger stuff. i couldn't run a shop without mine

I agree. I have a 4" oscillating spindle sander, and a 99" oscillating edge sander - both see a LOT of use. Although the edge sander has the ability to address inside curves, the radius of the spindle is 4 1/4" - hardly small enough for the type of work you envision.

[Cary Falk]

And what about the Laguna which seems to just rebrand Jet and Delta tools:

Jet BOS-5 (http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/jbos-5-benchtop-oscillating-spindle-sander-1-2hp-1ph-115v/708404) = Laguna SS|14 (http://www.lagunatools.com/Laguna-24-x-24-Oscillating-Spindle-Sander_2) = Delta 31-483 (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiZqq_FydzLAhUD2GMKHQKrDU8QFgglMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deltamachinery.com%2Fproducts %2Fsanders%2Fitem%2F31-483&usg=AFQjCNHhRlSmcNbmil9T3SYY07-zrz63_A&sig2=xT1XkF0nIoL1KgKkrgQW-Q&bvm=bv.117868183,d.cGc)

Jet OES-80CS (http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/oes-80cs-oscillating-6-x-89-belt-edge-sander/708447) = Laguna 6|89T (http://www.lagunatools.com/sander-pro-edge_2) = Delta 31-482 (http://www.deltamachinery.com/products/sanders/item/31-482)

Laguna SS|24T (http://www.lagunatools.com/Laguna-24-x-24-Oscillating-Spindle-Sander) = Delta 31-484 (http://www.deltamachinery.com/products/sanders/item/31-484)

Seems these models just change the paint color. But if Delta becomes hard to get parts for I bet the ones that matter between the two are all interchangeable.

I think Jet is way overpriced in most cases. By the looks of the prices on the Laguna's site, they beat Jet in the ridiculously overpriced category. I don't own any Laguna. I tried to get some info from them about some tools and they acted like they didn't care if I bought something or not. I'm not going to pay extra for that either. I wouldn't buy a tool(Delta) on the assumption that if something goes wrong I can replace said part with Jet, Grizzly , Laguna. I would loose that bet more times then I would win. I'll stick with Grizzly. They have parts that I know will fix their tools and they are willing to help. If you are asking if Grizzly, Delta, Laguna, or Jet are of the same quality since they look like they come out of the same factory, that's a different question.

[John Sincerbeaux]

And then there is the BEST....
Kundig "UNIQ"
-Variable motorized head oscillation
-Variable motorized head tilt 0-45
-two tables for curved sanding
-Back side has adjustable fences to be used as a sander/jointer for veneer work.
Built by Kundig in Germany

334565334566

[Rick Potter]

I have an older floor model Jet, I picked up for $500, but I gotta say, I really like the tilting arbor, rather than table on some of the newer ones.

[Mike Chalmers]

I also have the Grizz 1071 OSS and the PM version of the Jet edge sander. I found I use the edge sander more that the OSS. I would never give up either.

Since you have been buying used equipment I'd suggest you look for an edge sander that has a 3 phase motor. With a frequency drive you can then make it variable speed. That minimizes burning.


Big +1 to this.

[Brian W Smith]

It's not out of the question to machine a spindle that mounts, to/on the existing end roller of a non oscillating edge sander.Another approach that while taking up more realestate it has more potential.On small to med edge sanders(80"),you run a longer belt...and mount interchangeable idler spindles on an add-on frame extension.Or start from scratch building from 6x48,easy to get,donor machine.Best of luck,BW

[Jim Finn]

I have been making toys for toddlers for over ten years now. I cut them out using a scroll saw rather than my band saw because if cut using a band saw the cut edge must be sanded. Using a scroll saw makes a smooth cut that sanding would degrade. I do not even have a spindle sander although I have used one in the past. I have a six inch stationary belt sander from Harbor freight that serves me well for sanding the flat surfaces. When I do have to sand curves while making band saw boxes, I use a pneumatic drum sander mounted on my drill press. I have a 3" one and a 1 1/2" one. Because of my use of a scroll saw I do not have to sand tight curves.

[glenn bradley]

I think Jet is way overpriced in most cases. By the looks of the prices on the Laguna's site, they beat Jet in the ridiculously overpriced category.

Like Powermatic, I think Laguna is using their good name on certain products to justify a higher price-point on basically the same machines that others offer. As has been the case for well over a decade now, to get the best value you need to shop the tool, not the name ;).

Speaking of shopping the tool . . .


And then there is the BEST....
Kundig "UNIQ"

That thing is nothing short of awesome. At $15k to $30k I'll have to wait but, I have a whole new outlook as to what an edge sander can be.