Stationary Belt/Edge sander

[David Less]

Hi All,

I'm in the market for a stationary belt/edge sander. I've always used my fathers which is an old delta vertical standing version with the sanding disc on one side. I've used it for metal as well as for wood. I don't think I will ever need the sanding disc therefore I think I'm leaning toword the horizontil models. Powermatic seams to make a nice oscillating modal 80 for around 900 bucks. I recently made a bandsaw box, and boy could I have used a sander. I hate sanding by hand, it seams to be a waste of valuable shop time. Can you give me some advantages/disavantages on these sanders. I hate to purchase sight unseen. Or some recommendations on what others use for typical sanding.

Thanks for any input,

David

[Jim Becker]

David, I can't help you with a specific recommendation, but I will say that I wish I would have bought an edge sander rather than the combo sander I did purchase. It's not that the tool I have is a bad tool...it does what is expected from it...but rather in retrospect, it's not the right tool for the majority of my sanding needs where a stationary sander would be used. Namely...edges. If I could afford it, I'd opt for an oscellating version because of the longer belt life and easier "cleaning" due to less build-up on a specific area of the belt while working. (And a more random scratch pattern) But that feature does add cost and is not essential in most cases...

[Steve Clardy]

I have the Jet 6x89 edge sander. An indispendable tool for door edges, etc.

[Alan Turner]

I have the 6x89 WoodTek, and it is fine, to the extent I use it, which is less now than when I got it.

[Keith Burns]

I'v had a grizzly, non-oscillating, for several years and use it on almost every project I build. Never have had any problems with it.

[Neal Flatley]

Hi guys

I have the Grizzley 6 x 80 edge sander and it works great. I also have the DELTA disk and belt sander combo and like you find the disk of limited use. I also have not had much luck with dust collection off the disk. Dust collection off the belt portion and off the grizzly edge sander is fine.

Neal

[CPeter James]

I have Jet 6x89, too and use it much more than I thought I would. Great for squaring edges. I bought a selection of belts including some for metal. A FAST way to get the right angle on a blade or edge or flatten an old plane body from a yard sale. It runs cool when doing the blades. I put them into my Lee Valley holder and oil up the roller and away we go. A few seconds on the belt and then the diamond plate and then the hard Arkansas stone and done.

CPeter

[Jim Hager]

I have a general international 6x89 horizontal edge sander that is much like the jet and the wood tek. I'm satisfied with it. Does a good job plus it has the drum at the end and a drum table for sanding profiles.


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You will definately enjoy having one of these sanders. You can lay it over 90 degrees to have the belt running flat too.

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

An edge sander is probably at the top of my 'buy' list. I had access to one at the mesquite outfit and used it much more than I thought I would. Especially good at cleaning up tapers on table legs.

[Steve Rowe]

Hi guys

I have the Grizzley 6 x 80 edge sander and it works great. I also have the DELTA disk and belt sander combo and like you find the disk of limited use. I also have not had much luck with dust collection off the disk. Dust collection off the belt portion and off the grizzly edge sander is fine.

Neal
Neal - I also have the Grizzly 6 x 80 and it works ok. I think the table is too flimsy (way too much flex) and don't find the dust collection that great. For the projects that I normally work on, the platen length is about 6" too short. I am looking at upgrading next year to a larger edge sander probably oscillating.
Steve

[jack duren]

have the 6x80 griz and it works fine. added a bigger work surface and i dont have much trouble with deflection on the table.we use a ritter 4x132 at work and the dust collection aint that great on it either......jack

[Alan Turner]

David - Just a quick note. If you do buy one of these, give a Zirconia Alumina belt a try. They last about a million times longer than standard belts if you keep them clean. Well, maybe not quite a million.

[Brian Hale]

David - Just a quick note. If you do buy one of these, give a Zirconia Alumina belt a try. They last about a million times longer than standard belts if you keep them clean. Well, maybe not quite a million.

Alan, where do you get them? I'd like to try some on my Bridgewood 6x89 edgesander

Brian :)

[Alan Turner]

The finest I have have found is 120 grit. I get mine form Woodworkers Supply. Last time I ordered, which is probably a couple of years, they were about $10 @. But, well worth it. And, they are a great color. Sort of like the blue bowl posted here recently.

[Brian Hale]

Thanks Alan!! I'll give them a try when I run out of these belts i got from Wilke when i bought the sander.


Jim, Your General looks just like my Bridgewood, except mine's a darker green :cool:

Brian :)

[Dave Malen]

Brian
I'm sure you'll find a edge sander very useful . I have a jet 6 x 89 inch one that i like a lot. One of it's problems is that their is not any practical way to raise the heavy cast iron table. One solution that I use is small hydralic jack placed under the table. works like a charm.

Dave

[Steve Clardy]

Brian
I'm sure you'll find a edge sander very useful . I have a jet 6 x 89 inch one that i like a lot. One of it's problems is that their is not any practical way to raise the heavy cast iron table. One solution that I use is small hydralic jack placed under the table. works like a charm.

Dave


Hmmm. I loosen one side, raise it 3/4", tighten, then do the other side.
Steve:)

[Alan Turner]

I follow the method of Steve, but frequently place the table at a slight angle, side to side, so that I do not wear a groove in the belt.

[Brian Hale]

I follow the method of Steve, but frequently place the table at a slight angle, side to side, so that I do not wear a groove in the belt.

Same here Alan, but i also have a piece of 3/4 material i can lay on it for a quick clean area.

Brian :)

[Dave Malen]

Steve,

I thought you would like to see this. It does make things easier.

Dave

[Steve Clardy]

Steve,

I thought you would like to see this. It does make things easier.

Dave

Yea. Looks good. I get a little older:eek: , I may consider that.
Steve:)

[Alan Turner]

Dave,
Nice idea. Just a note, but that shop of yours looks aawfully clean.

[Dave Malen]

Cleaned it up for the pic ;)

Dave

[Corey Hallagan]

I read on somewhere else that Powermatic has discontinued the model 80 sander, however the same sander has been improved somewhat they say and now available as Jet machine vs. Powermatic.

Corey

[John Hedges]

Brian, how do you like your Bridgewood. I have been looking at that sander myself and like the looks of the longer table and 2hp motor vs the 1.5 that comes on most. Also does it come wired for 110 or 220 on delivery? Thanks

[David Less]

I read on somewhere else that Powermatic has discontinued the model 80 sander, however the same sander has been improved somewhat they say and now available as Jet machine vs. Powermatic.

Corey

Hi Corey,
I looked at the 2 on the Web. Not much of a comparison, the PM 80 (discontinued) has it beat hands down in my opinion. That is the reason why PM discontinued it, too much $$ to manufacture. That's just my luck, I've been keeping my eye on it and when ready to buy, I missed it by 2 months.

David

[Doug Jones from Oregon]

I have the PM80 and while it is a fine machine, it does have some drawbacks.

1.) if you primarily edge sand 4/4 material, the table does not raise or lower enough to make full use of the belt. there is about 1 1/2" both top and bottom unused.

2.) I find it cumbersome to have to remove the entire belt sheild to replace belts. The process takes me about 10 minutes which in my mind is too long. I had a large Couch that had a hinged top that one just flipped open for belt changes, quick and easy. Wish I had that one back now, especially since it was a 10" wide belt. Oh well.

Doug

[Neal Flatley]

Another thing to consider is the belt tracking adjustment. On the Grizzly I have you loosen a locking lever and walk the belt up or down with another adjustment while the machine is running. It takes about 3 seconds to do this. :D

When I was trying to locate a manual for the unit ( I bought it used ) I came across another grizzly design.
In this new design they tell you to turn on the machine and see which way the belt wants to walk.

Shut off the machine

Locate the locking nut and tracking shaft under the belt, loosten the nut and turn the shaft 1/4 turn. Retighten both nuts.

Turn on the machine to see if this did it, otherwise try again.:mad:
I think this type adjustment is probably cheaper to make, but I feel it is a much less user friendly system.

Neal

[David Less]

I have the PM80 and while it is a fine machine, it does have some drawbacks.

1.) if you primarily edge sand 4/4 material, the table does not raise or lower enough to make full use of the belt. there is about 1 1/2" both top and bottom unused.

2.) I find it cumbersome to have to remove the entire belt sheild to replace belts. The process takes me about 10 minutes which in my mind is too long. I had a large Couch that had a hinged top that one just flipped open for belt changes, quick and easy. Wish I had that one back now, especially since it was a 10" wide belt. Oh well.

Doug

Doug,

Can you recommend a belt sander based on your experiance?

David

[Brian Hale]

Brian, how do you like your Bridgewood. I have been looking at that sander myself and like the looks of the longer table and 2hp motor vs the 1.5 that comes on most. Also does it come wired for 110 or 220 on delivery? Thanks

Hey John, Welcome to the Creek!!!

So far i'm Real happy with my Bridgewood BW 80. A VERY useful machine! It's the 6x89 belt size. It came wired for 120 and works fine on a 20 amp circuit sanding 2" thick harkwood. Belt tracking is easy (with the belt running), belt changes require you to remove 2 knobs that secure the dust/safety shroud and the tables are quite hefty cast iron. Setup from box to making dust took about 40 minutes. It even came with a 120 grip Klingspor belt. :cool: The manual is borderline abysmal but adequate.

BTW, this is my 7th Bridgewood machine so i'm a bit biased :D

I need to do a review of this machine and the mortiser as time allows...:rolleyes:

Brian :)