Recommendations for a stationary edge sander?

[hdv]

I am thinking of buying a stationary edge sander. As I already have a Hammer C3-31 and am in the process of ordering a Felder FB610, the natural choice would be to go for the Hammer HS950. But I honestly don't know how good it is.

After doing some research I found out about the Holzkraft KSO 1500 [1], which seems a very nice machine indeed, albeit more expensive. And of course Grizzly and Jet have edge sanders as well. But those might be hard to get by here in mainland Europe.

Looking for reviews of these machines on the internet didn't result in much details or a useful comparison of their capabilities and quality. So I thought to ask here for any experiences and suggestions. What edge sanders do you use, and what do you think of them?

I will be using the machine mainly for squaring and smoothing the edges of hardwood (mostly maple) and BB or veneered ply.

Your opinions are much appreciated!

[1] This machine does not only have an oscillating belt, but optional drums to put on one of the axels as well. It is in German, but a webpage showing the machine can be found here.

 

[Bob D.]

Never used one but I found this on the Axminister site.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-series-at6x90bs-belt-sander-101701

 

[hdv]

Thanks. I'll put Axminster on my list to look at. To be honest, I had forgotten they made such machines.

 

[bertv]

[member=66485]hdv[/member]  I have a Hammer HS950 on order (should show up end of the month) and was able to inspect one at the dealer (in Barneveld NL). The build quality was excellent — it has a very solid cast iron bed like the ones my A3 31 also has; other components also looked good. My one beef with the machine is the base. This is a closed box of sheet metal parts, which means you can not use that space (no door). 
Oscillation can be switched on and off (mechanically); it comes without a plug (at least in the 400V option) — you need to provide that yourself or extra order as a part (a bit pricey at the dealer).

Something I learned is that it is possible to put the base on casters (M10), which was something I really appreciate (I know - it's the small things that can make one happy).

I did consider an Axminster, but the Brexit situation has put me off pursuing that possibility.

 

[hdv]

I get my Felder/Hammer machines at the same shop.  [smile]

Once you have had the chance to use that sander for a while, would you mind posting your opinion on the machine again? I'd like to know how it turns out in practise before making my choice.

 

[Ripit]

Hello, did you receive the hs950? I have one on order ready to deliver when I pay, curious if you have had a chance to use it and what you think.
I also just noticed that it looks like it can take a wider belt than the spec of 6” maybe like 8”, what do you think?

Thanks, mark

[member=66485]hdv[/member]  I have a Hammer HS950 on order (should show up end of the month) and was able to inspect one at the dealer (in Barneveld NL). The build quality was excellent — it has a very solid cast iron bed like the ones my A3 31 also has; other components also looked good. My one beef with the machine is the base. This is a closed box of sheet metal parts, which means you can not use that space (no door). 
Oscillation can be switched on and off (mechanically); it comes without a plug (at least in the 400V option) — you need to provide that yourself or extra order as a part (a bit pricey at the dealer).

Something I learned is that it is possible to put the base on casters (M10), which was something I really appreciate (I know - it's the small things that can make one happy).

I did consider an Axminster, but the Brexit situation has put me off pursuing that possibility.

 

[egmiii]

Curious as to what you think as well. I was thinking of getting one.

 

[bertv]

Hello, did you receive the hs950? I have one on order ready to deliver when I pay, curious if you have had a chance to use it and what you think.
I also just noticed that it looks like it can take a wider belt than the spec of 6” maybe like 8”, what do you think?

Thanks, mark

It took a while for Hammer to deliver the machine and setting it up proofed to be a bit of a hassle (I tried to do it all by myself -- not a good idea). My initial experiences are limited, because for the last three months my woodworking exploits have been on the back burner (bursitis of my left elbow etc.) — but the HS950 is a solidly built machine with just one flaw: the stand part is made of sheet metal and can not be used to store stuff because in the original configuration it has closed walls all around.

After trying to add castors to the corners, which did not work out because the ones I had at hand were not up to the weight of the machine, I made a bottom out of bit of concrete form board I had lying around & used to feet supplied. By leaving out the back panel I now have space to store the boxes of sandpaper belts : )

I did a few tests to see if the dust control is okay (and it is, although when using the round pivot end the generated dust won’t reach the other end where the dust is sucked out).

To answer your question: it is not possible to user wider belts because the cover is in the way (although you could disattach that — but then tracking a wider belt would be problematic) and the platten just allows for the (almost) six inches specified width with some spare room for the oscillating movement.

 

[Ripit]

So sounds like no regrets on the purchase as it is a solid build, other than the base which I noticed as well. I was planning on building a base with storage at some point.

I would actually prefer an Oakley, Whirlwind, etc but not doing this full time anymore and I don’t have the space and almost bought the Jet but it just looks so cheaply built....

Hello, did you receive the hs950? I have one on order ready to deliver when I pay, curious if you have had a chance to use it and what you think.
I also just noticed that it looks like it can take a wider belt than the spec of 6” maybe like 8”, what do you think?

Thanks, mark

It took a while for Hammer to deliver the machine and setting it up proofed to be a bit of a hassle (I tried to do it all by myself -- not a good idea). My initial experiences are limited, because for the last three months my woodworking exploits have been on the back burner (bursitis of my left elbow etc.) — but the HS950 is a solidly built machine with just one flaw: the stand part is made of sheet metal and can not be used to store stuff because in the original configuration it has closed walls all around.

After trying to add castors to the corners, which did not work out because the ones I had at hand were not up to the weight of the machine, I made a bottom out of bit of concrete form board I had lying around & used to feet supplied. By leaving out the back panel I now have space to store the boxes of sandpaper belts : )

I did a few tests to see if the dust control is okay (and it is, although when using the round pivot end the generated dust won’t reach the other end where the dust is sucked out).

To answer your question: it is not possible to user wider belts because the cover is in the way (although you could disattach that — but then tracking a wider belt would be problematic) and the platten just allows for the (almost) six inches specified width with some spare room for the oscillating movement.

 

[Ripit]

Hi Burt,

So how did u end up lifting it onto the base? I was thinking of renting an engine hoist i thin its too heavy to do alone, correct?

mark

Hello, did you receive the hs950? I have one on order ready to deliver when I pay, curious if you have had a chance to use it and what you think.
I also just noticed that it looks like it can take a wider belt than the spec of 6” maybe like 8”, what do you think?

Thanks, mark

It took a while for Hammer to deliver the machine and setting it up proofed to be a bit of a hassle (I tried to do it all by myself -- not a good idea). My initial experiences are limited, because for the last three months my woodworking exploits have been on the back burner (bursitis of my left elbow etc.) — but the HS950 is a solidly built machine with just one flaw: the stand part is made of sheet metal and can not be used to store stuff because in the original configuration it has closed walls all around.

After trying to add castors to the corners, which did not work out because the ones I had at hand were not up to the weight of the machine, I made a bottom out of bit of concrete form board I had lying around & used to feet supplied. By leaving out the back panel I now have space to store the boxes of sandpaper belts : )

I did a few tests to see if the dust control is okay (and it is, although when using the round pivot end the generated dust won’t reach the other end where the dust is sucked out).

To answer your question: it is not possible to user wider belts because the cover is in the way (although you could disattach that — but then tracking a wider belt would be problematic) and the platten just allows for the (almost) six inches specified width with some spare room for the oscillating movement.