Grizzly G0529

[Michael Stein]

Anybody have one of these machines? They don't seem to get talked about much, but to me it seems like a great machine, in theory. I currently have a Rikon 50-120 combo machine, as well as the Ridgid spindle sander whom everyone praises. Problem is, I find that I hardly ever use the belt sander (6"x48") of the Rikon, and have never used the belt portion of the Ridgid (I bought that specifically for the spindle. I have a small shop, so I am thinking of selling both of them, and getting the G0529 to save space.

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Lets hear it.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Michael,

I have one and it has worked well.

Glenn Bradley IIRC has one too. He probably uses it more than I so I would get his opinion too.

[Michael Stein]

Michael,

I have one and it has worked well.

Glenn Bradley IIRC has one too. He probably uses it more than I so I would get his opinion too.

Do you also have a separate belt/edge sander, or is this your primary stationary sander? As I said, I don't use the belt portions often, however, I know if/when I get rid of them, several projects will arise where they are necessary.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

That is my primary sander. I do have a hand held belt sander and a ROS. I will say the disk sander on this can be really aggressive. My primary use of it is for the OSS. Dust collection is so-so. It's not perfect but it's not bad either.

[Terry Hatfield]

I'd love to have the G0529. I have the Ridgid spindle/belt combo machine and never use the belt. The spindle seems passible but that's about as high as I would rate it. I have the G0512 edge sander and could not imagine being without it. 1001 uses for both wood and metal. I think ditching the Ridgid and adding the G0529 to the stable would cover any sanding operation I could imagine.

[Joe Spear]

I have the Ridgid and rarely use the spindle. Most of the stuff I do can be done on the flat and curved edges of the belt.

[glenn bradley]

Anybody have one of these machines?

Lets hear it.

I do ;-)


Michael,

I have one and it has worked well.

Glenn Bradley IIRC has one too. He probably uses it more than I so I would get his opinion too.

Yes, I do ;-)


Do you also have a separate belt/edge sander, or is this your primary stationary sander? As I said, I don't use the belt portions often, however, I know if/when I get rid of them, several projects will arise where they are necessary.

OK, sorry for fooling around. Short story is that I have the machine and really like it. I would recommend it.

The long story is that I thought I needed a spindle sander . . . I bought the little Ridgid belt/spindle machine and it was great for the price, weight, etc. What I learned is that I needed an oscillating belt more than I needed an oscillating spindle. I picked up an oscillating belt sander and my shop-life was greatly improved.

Now having a more substantial oscillating belt made me realize that I could do better in the spindle department; I just needed something a little beefier. I also had the standard little belt/disc combo that so many of us have or had. Real estate being at a premium I passed the Ridgid and the small belt/disc along, bought the G0529 and have been happy ever since.

I did add drawers as mentioned above and made it mobile. It is positioned so that I only have to move it when long unwieldy shapes are being worked. I also modified the dust collection at the spindle area since I use my DC instead of a shop vac. The velocity of a vac would probably overrule the open from of the spindle are under the table but, a simple baffle makes the DC work admirably. You can see the hoses and adapters slung over the top (stored position) in the first pic. You can also see that I added drawers to the base; nothing gets to take up floor space in my shop if it doesn't earn its keep through providing some sort of storage ;-)

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Here's a dovetail-way accessory that comes in handy.

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In the third pic you can see the stacking tables I added to avoid wearing out a small portion of the drum when working with thin stock. I also have a narrow clearance top for very small items and a simple fence of sorts to allow me to edge sand with better control. Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

[glenn bradley]

Here's the dust collection mod. I assume the machine is designed with this massive opening for shops that don't use any DC(?).

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Apiece of scrap 1/8" luan ply cut to size glued to a strip of 3/4" play with two magnets inset.

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This makes all the difference in the world to your dust collection.

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It is very easy to take out and set aside when changing drums. To re-install you just get it in the general area and the magnets snap it into place.

I also made this disc cover.

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The first time you touch your belly (or anything else) up to the disc while using the spindle, you'll understand why ;-)

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Glenn, thanks for posting the modification for your DC on the spindle sander! I will be acquiring some rare earth magnets to do very something similar!

Haven't had the belly problem yet but I am still using the original cabinet.

[Michael Stein]

Glenn and Ken,

Thanks for both of your insights. I think I am going to try to pass the belt/disc combo and the ridgid on, and pick up one of these machines. Probably won't happen tomorrow, but would like to make the move in the near future.

I will be bookmarking this, and putting some of Glenns tips to use.

Thanks again.

[Michael Stein]

Resurrecting this thread, although it may be better to start a new one.

Does anyone else make a spindle/disk sander combo machine? If not, why? This machine makes much more sense to me than the popular disk/belt combo...


I just sold my Rikon combo machine today, so now I am on the hunt.