A 10 minute Deltex workout

[Mac]

As an honest man's work is never done (so my beloved and wise wife tells me) I had a couple of window sills to sand back and refinish this afternoon.  As you can see, they've been nicely taken care of by years of cat claws, kid's drink cups and other miscellaneous misuse. You can't really see from the pictures but the scratches and stains go fairly deep.
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Seems like a perfect job for a Deltex. Lucky I have one, huh?
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Stuck some Brilliant 120 grit on first to see how it went; I thought I'd need something more coarse but have always been an optimist at heart. Here's how it got on after 4 minutes on setting 5. I started on 6 but my kids claimed the high pitched whining noise it makes was 'damaging their brain'. Not being one to wish damaged brains on my offspring, I turned down a notch which does take the whine away somewhat.
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After about 6 mins had whipped through the first sill. Didn't have to drop down to p80 after all.
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A very quick going over with the ets 150/3 at 150 then 180 grit and it was pretty much perfect. All in, a ten minute job.
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THAT'S why it's worth buying quality. And THAT, darling wife, is why I needed 'another sander apart from that funny looking round one'.

Cheers,
Rick

 

[RonMiller]

Well shown and said. I just got my 4th Festool sander, a Rotex and used it yesterday for a half hour on some old beams, etc. outside that would have taken me half a day otherwise. They look great and I got lots more done...so yes, yes, yes, buy quality and enjoy it.

 

[Neill]

Rick,

I am happy that the Deltex is working out so well for you.  As I said, I have yet to use mine.

The only problem is that out "little" Festool purchases put us that much farther away from our goal, The N4400.

Neill

 

[Mac]

Rick,

I am happy that the Deltex is working out so well for you.  As I said, I have yet to use mine.

The only problem is that out "little" Festool purchases put us that much farther away from our goal, The N4400.

Neill

Ah, the N4400. I haven't given up on it yet though, have you?  I can't see me getting mine in the next year though, regrettably. How about you?

Rick

 

[Neill]

Rick,

As much as I really want that saw, except for resawing, there is not too much I can't do with the tools I already have.  My Trion barrel grip is great on the curves and for cutting thicker boards.  I resurrected my 10-12 year old Makita scroll saw and it seems to be working pretty well.

The other thing is that I can get a Powermatic 14" for less than half the price of the N4400, which leaves me room for a dust collector and then some.  I don't like the look of it though.  I prefer the Euro square style.  In order to get a decent resaw height, you have to add the riser block which has been somewhat problematic in installation. 

Woodcraft, right now has their Rikon 14" for $699, that's $200 off their normal price.  It has the Euro style and is rated pretty well in many reviews.  I have tried it and it did a pretty good job, even resawing.  Another positive is that you can resaw up to 12-14" without a riser block.

Another option is Laguna.  They are priced pretty closely to the Hammer but if you can be patient, they are always offering specials on delivery or accessories.

Another problem with Hammer, at least here in the US, is that parts and accessories are not that available.  Also, if you call them, it seems that bandsaws seem to take a backseat to their other equipment.

I am hoping after April 15, 2011, to do something.  I did say that last year though..

Neill

 

[ScotF]

Rick,

Nice post and thanks for sharing the before and after...it's hard to tell from the pictures, but did the wood have a finish on it to start or was this bare wood?

BTW, the Hammer is a nice bandsaw as is the Laguna -- I own the Laguna and have other Hammer equipment.  Parts and accessories for both are easy to come by -- since the Hammer is an ACM make parts are common should you ever need anything.  I believe Felder just increased its Resaw height to a full 12 inches now (previously it was less).  All things being equal, I think I would opt for a Laguna with the Baldor motor, ceramic guides and add a Driftmaster fence (of course you could add a Driftmaster and ceramic guides to the Hammer too). 

Scot

 

[Neill]

Scot,

Good post overall.

I said what I said about the Hammer parts because I remember seeing on the website at some point in time, things like 6-8 weeks delivery time on the mobility kit, saw blades, etc.  Saw blades, of course, are generic.

Just out of curiosity, which Laguna do you have?

Thanks.

Neill

Rick,  sorry to have hijacked this thread, my friend.

 

[ScotF]

Hi Neill,

I have a Laguna LT18 -- it is about 9 years old now and has the 12 inch resaw.  I upgraded the motor, guides and added a Driftmaster fence to it and I am very happy with its performance.  I have the Johnson bar mobility kit, but if I were to do it again I would buy Zambus casters instead -- about the same cost (maybe a little less) and much easier to maneuver the machine around.  With the standard mobility kit you have to move the machine back and forth sometimes to get it into position -- it works, but not as conveniently as casters.  I guess this would be a non issue if you had a stationary place for the machine.  I live close to Laguna and could look at all the machines in person.  I also have been to Felder's showroom and looked at the Hammer in person -- both are great machines IMHO.  I am not really a fan of the Euro guides -- I had a few bearings freeze up on me before I switched to ceramic -- with ceramic guides there are no moving parts to worry about and they do not generate heat so if they touch the blade, it is not a big deal.  If you prefer ball bearings, then Carter makes a set with the side bearings that run in line with the blade -- better control and less heat -- either can be fitted on any saw you ultimately end up getting. 

Scot
 

 

[Mac]

Rick,

Nice post and thanks for sharing the before and after...it's hard to tell from the pictures, but did the wood have a finish on it to start or was this bare wood?

Scot

Hi Scot, thanks, and yes, it did have some kind of finish but I don't know what; it wasn't varnish as the wood still 'felt' bare, but it had been coloured, perhaps with some kind of stain long ago  ???

And Neill, my thread is your thread, my friend  [embarassed]