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I have read about this sander (FWW rated it tops). Talked with friends who own one. Finally bought one. All I have to say is that is one nice (inexpensive) spindle sander. I have yet to use the spindle, the belt sander is WAY too useful!

Love this tool.

Mike

PS: Pay attention when using using the belt sander. It apears capable of chucking pieces of wood at speeds aproaching 200 MPH.

Funny enough I just got one about 2 weeks ago Mike. I have to agree, it is one great tool and I can see it having many many uses in my shop. Now all I have to do is figure out how I can make a collor for one of the spindles to do some template sanding, than I'll be all set.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

The dust port is 2.5", but my dust vac has a 4" hose. Here's what I did. I went to Lowes and bought a PVC 4" to 2" reducer. Also, bought one of their 8' shop vac hose kits. In the 4" end of the reducer, I put 2 layers of double sided thick tape. The 4" hose then fit perfectly into the the reducer. For some strange reason, the 2.5" shop vac hose fit perfecly INSIDE the 2" end of the reducer. I never stop to analyze this stuff. It just worked.

This may drive crazymichael nuts. I did read the instructions, and lost no fingers in the process.

Mike

I have one and like it too. Once I got over what it looks like when operating.........

It you use some masking tape to cover the cracks and holes that are present when using either the spindle of the belt the dust collection improves a great deal - this was a tip I received from Todd Stock and works great.

I am not sure what I was expecting, I knew this was an oscillating spindle sander, but when the whole sanding belt assembly started to oscillate, I was VERY pleased! What a COOL tool!

Mike

How high of a workpiece can you sand with the belt?

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

It takes a 4x24 belt, so I would say, 4". Here's the link to the site with specs. Ridgid Oscillating Belt Sander

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Probably more like 3" Waddy as it oscillates down an inch or so no?

It is amazing to me that someone can manufacture a tool like that and sell it for $199.

Warning to new users: It really can fling a piece of wood! So think about it when you are using the belt.

Yeah I thought that too Mike - great value!

Initially I was not pleased that it took up so much space but that's not going to be a problem anymore....

I have one to and though I haven't used it alot I like it so far. What sold me was the belt sander. I think it should stand up fine for this kind of work. A guy in my woodworking club had one and I got a chance to use his and couldn't find much wrong with it. I would recommend especially if you work in a small space like me.

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

Stop rubbing it in!

I was going to make a post about how much I like my new RIDGID OSS but Ill just add to this one...
This thing is freaking great!!!
Especially if your a foolhardy (or broke) person, like myself and make alot of your own tools jigs and stuff - like body molds - (especially body molds I find so far)..
I bought this particular OSS because of the FWW magazine article with the OSS shoutout.. The RIDGID was highly reccomended....
Indeed it is a nice unit offering far more flexibility (a little less power) than other OSS's profiled in the article ..
mainly its more of a flexible unit on account of the oscillating belt sander..
(at first, I thought it was a stationary belt sander and was surprised when it too started to oscillate)
The 45deg table tilt is another nice feature and although 2" is the highest spindle size its good enough for what I want it for,,,, the motor doesnt bog down even when its really pressed into with oak... and its really accurate (a nice rpm) for creeping right up to a sanding line,,,,
Good stuff and I highly reccomend the product...

Another great little tool I picked up was the small rosewood planes (miniature block and bullnose) that LV offers ,,, They are really killer and right out of the box they ripped through any wood that I applied them too - especially the mini block - I cant wait to try them on some brace shaving.. which luckily I'm up to next in my build process...

Anyway I been away a while but Im glad to be back and reading posts on the OLF...
Cheers
Charlie

I have those little Lee Valley planes too, and I love them. The bull nose really needs to be sharp to work, but is great when sharp.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Has anyone put a straightedge on the belt's platen to see if it's flat? How about puting a square up to the platen and the spindle to see if they're at 90deg.? Machine makers, in my experience, don't seem to consider "square & flat" to be job number one, except maybe in high-end table saws.

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Carlton Macksam
Muskegon, Michigan

I've had one of these Rigid sanders for many years and still love it. Works best if you bolt it down to a solid bench. Looks like the only thing they've changed over the years is the color. Mine's grey.

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Lucky Dog! It's the color that keeps me from buying one!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

First thing I did when I got mine out of the box. The main table platen is surprisingly flat and the spindle to table platen was spot on using my engineers square. I haven't checked the belt's platen yet for flatness, I'll have to do that tonight.

Waddy, you're funny! Just buy it and paint it, surely you have a can of grey paint in there somewhere

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

OK folks- who sneaked in and cleaned up my shop???

Rod,

Hesh is going to have a coronary AND a stroke if he sees that pic....

Whars the spindle sander???

I've got one too, and it is spot on as well. I love the thing.

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Brad Tucker

Just a note.....THAT IS NOT MY SHOP, IT'S WADDY'S

I'm much more messy then that

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Where the heck do you put the luthier?

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Brad Tucker

I feel better already!

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Any of you use this in place of Belt/Disc Sander?