Oscillating spindle sander

[BMH]

I am looking for a bench top oscillating sander with a good dust collection system. Does anyone have a recommendation.

Thank you,

Bruce

 

[RonMiller]

The Rigid has been rated #1 in this. I have one and it works very well, including dust collection. Not Festool dc but really good nonetheless.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

There was a thread on this a while back.  I think the consensus was pretty much that the ridgid leads the pack for the low cost sanders and there is a big jump in $$ to step up to the next level.  I own the ridgid, use it, its ok.

Might be a nice opportunity lurking here for Festool.  A solid oscillating sander with good dc, dead square spindles, maybe switchable to a belt sander like ridgid.  I would pay a few hundred more for a really good one, but cant stretch to the $1k production quality tool.

 

[Theshipstore]

I to have been using the Rigid and in over 5 years  it has done me well. The DC works well and the added feature of the belt sander setup is great

 

[PeterK]

Do you need a tilting table?
I have the older Delta BOSS and it has worked very well but does not tilt. Don't think the newer version is of the same quality.  Jet and Grizzly make some kind of table top sanders although they really need a dedicated stand as they really are too tall for bench usage.

 

[PeterK]

Oh and I TOTALLY agree with Jesse. There is a market for a quality oscillating sander. I have looked at the Ridgid and was not impressed with the construction although many are satisfied with the performance. I searched for a long time trying to find an oscillating sander I would be happy with. While it is not a tool I use near as much as others, it is the only answer at times. Would love to see what Festool could dream up to capture the market!

 

[semenza]

Hi,

How about the PC portable one mounted for bench top use?

Seth

 

[BMH]

Thank you for the replies. I looked at the rigid but was not impressed by the quality of the construction. At this point I can't justified the cost of a higher end machine as none of the reviews I read justify it. Guess the rigid it will be till Festool decide to make one.

Bruce

 

[leakyroof]

I have the benchtop Jet model. The height doesn't seem to be a problem for me while it's on my workbench, however, since I have made my workbench adjustable for two different work heights-one at table saw height, and a higher adjustment to 40" for hand tool work,I may be unique in that [cool].  Otherwise, agree with the poster who talked about a dedicated stand at whatever height works best for you. [smile]
Dust collection via an adapter to up size the stock Jet port to my 4" DC size works well. The table tilts too, and I have all the available sizes of spindles that I can get, including the 3" diameter one. You get different sized table plates to match the larger spindles, and they're oval in their opening to handle when the table is tilted too.
Oil bath drive is quiet and seems to be reliable.  [wink]
The Rigid model is nice too, I came close to buying it but went with the Jet since I didn't need another belt sander of any kind[I have 3, one Jet 1 x 42. one Ryobi 4x 36" with 8"? disc and my Grizzly 6 x 48" with 12" disc. [blink]] even if it came with the machine.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Here's my PC handheld one mounted in my tablesaw wing.  I had the Ridgid - it's a decent unit, but I had no need for the belt portion so I sold it when I picked up the PC handheld unit.

I also made a carrier/insert for the Festool 1/2 pad sander.

Same insert size I have cut out in both my Unisaw in the basment and my job site saw extension table and I can use the router or spindle sander in either.  The Festool concept is probably a shop only use - I figured it's be handy to help sand Xmas ornaments...

Julian

 

[BMH]

Leakyroof is the jet twice as good as the rigid as that is the price difference?.

Julian I liken your set up, how is the dust collection with the PC spindle sander in your table set up?

Bruce

 

[Julian Tracy]

Hi Bruce,

Having had the Ridgid, and using it for years, I think the cast iron benchtop models are probably worth the extra cost if you use a spindle sander a lot.  The other benefit is the 3" spindle and increased height of the sanding drums.

Of the cast iron versions I've seen, I think the General International is the nicest one.  They are all the same units with some slight differences.

If you need the versatility of a belt sander as well, the Ridgid's value jumps up quite a bit, though it spins fast enough that it's not too useful for smaller items.

As for the dust collection of the PC insert setup, I haven't fooled with it much, though I think it has a through the base dust port that I can tie into.  Either way I'll fab something up.

Julian

 

[Corwin]

Yes, there is an optional dust port that fits the PC-121 sander, however, it really only works for upright use and not while mounted on a plate.  The problem is that the accessory port fits so close to the base that there is no room for it when mounted in your table.  For DC, you would need to have an enclosure under the table...

 

[Julian Tracy]

I won't do an enclosure - to much trouble.  But I will fabricate a custom quick-release shroud that wraps around the spindle assembly. 

JT

 

[Corwin]

I won't do an enclosure - to much trouble.  But I will fabricate a custom quick-release shroud that wraps around the spindle assembly. 

JT

I will be very interested in seeing the custom shroud!  It does sound like a better arrangement, as it would keep much of the dust from getting into the PC's inners.  I hope you post photos of what you make.  

I was glad for the optional dust port for my PC 121 until I received my plate from Woodpecker's and saw that the PC's built-in dust extraction would not work in a router plate installation.  It is a nice tool, especially since it can be used both handheld and table mounted -- rather like something that fits into the Festool approach -- but it certainly is a shame that the sander's dust port isn't located in a better position on the tool.  

 

[leakyroof]

Leakyroof is the jet twice as good as the rigid as that is the price difference?.

Julian I liken your set up, how is the dust collection with the PC spindle sander in your table set up?

Bruce

Since I don't own the Rigid model, it's hard for me to say. I agree with the other poster's comment about the dedicated spindle sanders in that you get the cast iron top and more spindle choices for diameter AND height, which for some projects can mean alot. I know the Rigid gets rave reviews from many of its owners, and you are getting two different sanding types out of it.  So, your call.  [smile]

 

[Julian Tracy]

The main reason I bought the handheld PC was I thought it'd be great for truing up the curves in built-up laminate counters before laminating.

Replacing the Ridgid unit made sense so I could free up another bench top surface in the shop.

Julian