DISC SANDER - Stationary Type

[Steven DeMars]

Looking for a new tool for the shop . . .

DISC SANDER - Stationary with table and miter slot . . .

What size disc?, 12", 8", 6" as to usefulness?

What size disc?, as to paper availability & choices?

Would a combo with a belt a better choice?

Who makes the best one . . . .?

Thanks in advance to all . . .

Steve:)

[Jim Kountz]

I recently got the jet 12". Its a small but sturdy little machine and seems very smooth. Runout was about nil and the table locks down nice and tight. Dust collection is rather good too.

[Doug Shepard]

12" or bigger. You dont really want to use the side that is spinning upward very often, so cut the diameter in half as far as useful sanding width. I use the disc on my combo quite a bit, but not so much the belt. But why do you want one? What kinds of things were you planning on using it for?

[Steven DeMars]

Just general shop use . .

Steve

[Ben Martin]

I recently picked up a 1968 Delta/Rockwell 12" Disc Sander for a heck of a deal, I have yet to use it (it works, but I will be re-painting it). I would look for a used one, there are tons of deals on used tools now...

[David Moody]

I second the 12" recommendation. I have an 8" combo, which I use a lot (the disk, at least), but if I ever get another one, it will be a 12".

If you get a belt combo, get a belt that is wider than 1". Having said that, I rarely use the belt on my combo except for some touch ups and a very few cases where I wanted to sand out a curve (using the top part... but that is rare and I don't really recommend it).

[Rod Sheridan]

I had a General model 100 sander, 16" disk.

Great sander, it could convert wood to dust faster than could be believed.

It had a very stable cast iron table and was vibration free.

It also weighed about 250Kg, which probably helped with the vibration!

Regards, Rod.

[Jeff Hallam]

You can also make your own 12" sander if it is just for general shop use. Danny Proulx had plans for one in his "Building Woodshop Workstations". Here is the one I built from his plans:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UVn5mQy1usk/R2UdIVjtr0I/AAAAAAAAAE0/WT0GKdXL6Cs/s800/disc%20sander%20001.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XAI3Zpe9IbemcC7ffdswSg)

[Pat Germain]

That's pretty slick, Jeff. Where did you get the motor?

[Cary Falk]

I was looking into one at one time. I would want one at least 12" and a 20" would be cool. The longer I think about it, I think an edge sander would be more useful.

[mreza Salav]

I thought of building one too but then came across a Rockwell/Delta old one that couldn't pass ($75 without motor). I rebuilt it and it works very fine.
I'd suggest at least 12". Also, I'd recommend going with the combo if you have the space. The belt version is also quite useful.

[Jeff Hallam]

Pat,

I when to a tool repair shop and poked around the motors that the owner had sitting in a back room. I imagine any tool repair shop has a bunch like that. Just look at an actual disc sander motor specifications online to learn what rpm and hp would be reasonable. I think mine is 1/2 hp and 1725 rpm.