I've been considering the Gem 11" sander/ polisher for live-edge slab surfacing. I think its been available with the sanding shroud for around 20 years. I have all of the larger Festool sanders, no complaints, just always looking to add to the arsenal. The Gem 11" sander seems under powered at around 2 amps given its size and history of the tool as a polisher. There isn't much online about it as a sander from actual users. I figured someone here must have it. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.
Anyone have the Gem 11" sander/polisher? If so, would you care to report on the experience?
- Thread starter scbucc
- Start date
Cheese
Member
If you go to the Gem website, they actually tout the use of the sander for sanding wood & solid surfaces. They also show several examples of it being used on slabs and large wooden tables and sell abrasive sheets from 30-400 grit.
Gem has also reduced the weight of the sander from 18# to 15.5# so that may lessen the load on that 2.3 amp motor.
I also find it interesting that Klingspor, Wurth Machinery & Odies Oil all sell the sander.
Gem has also reduced the weight of the sander from 18# to 15.5# so that may lessen the load on that 2.3 amp motor.
I also find it interesting that Klingspor, Wurth Machinery & Odies Oil all sell the sander.
Last edited:
Michael Kellough
Member
From the description it seems to have an induction motor so it should be pretty quiet. In the photos neither guy is wearing hearing protection.
Not wearing any dust protection either. Is there some kind of dust collection ability?
Not wearing any dust protection either. Is there some kind of dust collection ability?
Cheese
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2015
- Messages
- 5,606
Not mine personally, but the shop where I used to work, has 2 of them. They are used for finish sanding/polishing of solid surface countertops.
They are indeed near-total silent. There is a bit of a vibration sound, if the item you are sanding is not very solidly supported, but the motor is very quiet. It has a very large orbit 5/8" (16mm)
It runs at a fairly slow RPM, but the sheer size of the abrasive pad means pretty decent surface speed at the point of contact. Because of the momentum of the spinning head, it takes several seconds for it to come to a stop.
One of the machines is about 6 years old and the other 3 or 4? and in all that time, the only issues we ever had was with one of the cords. However, that was abuse, not the fault of the unit at all.
There is no dust collect/extraction, but as comparatively slow as it runs, it is not thrown wildly. A simple damp rag between grit changes is usually adequate.
Klingspor also sells the abrasive disks for them, not exactly a local home center item.
I would guess that's why they are a distributor too.
Packard
Member
It looks like my Ryobi polisher (10”) except for the price. I think I paid $40.00 for the polisher. What accounts for the price difference?
I used to shop Eastwood Automotive for this type of tool. But they now have a firewall up and you can’t visit the site without signing in. Intrusive.
I used to shop Eastwood Automotive for this type of tool. But they now have a firewall up and you can’t visit the site without signing in. Intrusive.
Well I just did. If the large splash screen comes up where they are offering a discount if you sign up, the yellow X to close that is in the upper left hand corner.
Peter
Packard
Member
That’s my firewall. I give my information when I am ready to buy, not when I am simple shopping. I missed the hidden “x”.
And when I re-visit, no barriers at all. Go figure.
Michael Kellough
Member
Nice quiet industrial quality induction motor, and the huge 5/8" stroke that is finely counterbalanced.
Packard
Member
But still, 10 times the cost seems extravagant. Luckily, I don’t need one.