Need advice on Sander

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Alzey

Alzey

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Joined
Oct 9, 2011
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369
Location
Erwin, Tennessee
I have several things on my wish list to get next. I currently have a Delta 46-460 Lathe ,a 1936ish Delta DP-220 Drill Press (3 inch stroke), a 16 inch band saw and a scroll saw (if I can get it working again).

I think I need to get a sander before the reset of the items on my list (Sander, collet, chuck, and Jacobs chuck). I am looking at under $200 price range for a belt/disk sander but I have several questions for the experts out there. I plan to do some segmenting, blank squaring, and other small wood working projects.

What brand/size unit do you recommend?
What grits do you normally run on your belts and disks?
My dust collect is a shop vac with a Dust Deputy. Should I consider one with an integrated dust collector?
What else should I consider when purchasing a sander?

Thanks in advance for the advice
 
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I'm hoping you get some expert feedback,as I have been considering the same thing.I was looking at the large 12 in disk sanders like Delta & Jet offer.I think the most critcal thing is the accuracy of the mitre guage/table piece,and ease of changing the sanding disc.The ones that I was looking at had nice dust ports for a shop vac,but wow,they sure weigh a lot!

There is a style like this at HF for way less,but I guess I just like Delta & Jet tools.

I was thinking that this type is the best for truing blanks and doing segmenting work.

For me,I was given a HF combo unit that has a 4x36 belt,and a 6 inch disc.Problem is that the miter guage piece is missing,and I was told that it's not an available part.I will need to try to homemake one.

Again,I hope an expert jumps in here.

I hope you can post back with your experience,on whatever you end up with.

Take care,
Steve
 
I too have been looking for a new disk/belt sander because my Porter Cable was so lousy on dust collection. I looked at review on sanders from Wood Magazine and decided that the price for a new unit was more than I was willing to spend.
Since I have good dust collection on my lathe I did some further research and came up with this unit (12 inch) that should be large enough to eliminate the need for a belt sander.
 

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DUH!!!!!!! Why didn't I think of that:biggrin: That is a great Idea until I can afford a GOOD dedicated sander unit.

I would still like to see what people have to say about dedicated sanders in various price ranges.
 
I bought the Rockwell RK7866 Belt Disc Sander from Amazon last year while I was still in Germany and it has become my work horse for squaring, segmenting, scalloping, and pretty much everything else. I use both belt and disk for my work and would be lost without it. This ranges from about 120 to 140 depending on when you look at it, but could probably get it cheaper in a direct store. You can buy different grit belts at either Lowes or Home Depot pretty cheap and it has great reviews...I can vouch for it!
 
This got me thinking about the other tools in my shop could be converted to a disk sander. Any one tried one of these or something similar?

http://www.freud-tools.com/frcd10caands.html

Now that I have a band saw, I don't use my table saw much when working pens. This way I can cut on band saw, sand with the table saw, and turn with the lathe.

Any recommendations on what sanding grit to use on a disk sander for working pens?
 
Alzey,
I used a similar sanding wheel on my TS for years....I now have the Delta 12" disc, and love it, but that wheel did a lot of sanding for me on flat work. I used 120 grit as it is very aggressive by nature anyway. Make sure you sand on the front part of the wheel other wise it will throw your part at you!!
 
My experience with belt sanders is not extensive. However, I took a knife making class at Woodcraft, where you do a fair amount of sanding on a belt/disk sander. In the Woodcraft shop, they had a large unit which made sanding a breeze. Days after taking the class, I used a friend's belt/disk sander, a Delta that was clearly designed for the home shop. What a difference! The unit at Woodcraft was not only larger, but the speed of the belt was so much faster that it was like using a tool vs. a toy. I have since used this smaller Delta for other projects, like blank trimming, and found it was adequate for those needs. But if I intended to do a lot of sanding, or make more knives, a bigger unit would be the only one I would consider.
 
Reviving an older thread as I am close to purchasing a sander for segmenting pens. Any advice on what to look for and look out for will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
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