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1" Belt Sander VS Oscillating Spindle Sander


RangerJay

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Well - I got the Ridgid a week ago - set it up - but didn't have a real use for it till today .....

.... verdict?

.... this is a really neat power tool!!! ..... definitely fits the category of "Why didn't I get this years ago!!"

My 1 hour experience on this machine:

- one review by a contractor had suggested it was underpowered - I very much disagree - more than enough power - not even a hint that it had any challenge with what I put it through today - was working on 1 inch cherry - straight lines and curves.

- many other reviews suggested the screw for holding down the spindles and belt mechanism would tighten itself through use to the point of making it very difficult to remove - no sense of that today - in fact quite the reverse - it seemed to loosen itself through use - maybe I was being a little too cautious because of the reviews? - but I quickly changed gears and got aggressive about tightening it down - no issues.

- didn't like the washers on the spindles - changed spindles 3 times - (just because I could) - ended up looking for the washer on the floor 3 times ..... not sure that is a problem with the design or the operator ......

- so far this tool feels like a big wood tool - not a small wood tool - I did end up heading back to the 1" belt sander for a couple sections that needed a little more finesse ...... recognize that I will very definitely need to replace my 1" belt sander when it gives up the ghost ...... likely soon .....  not a story I will tell my wife ..... till after its done .....

- upshot?? - I like it .....

.... a LOT.

 

Jay

Edited by RangerJay
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14 minutes ago, RangerJay said:

Well - I got the Ridgid a week ago - set it up - but didn't have a real use for it till today .....

.... verdict?

.... this is a really neat power tool!!! ..... definitely fits the category of "Why didn't I get this years ago!!"

My 1 hour experience on this machine:

- one review by a contractor had suggested it was underpowered - I very much disagree - more than enough power - not even a hint that it had any challenge with what I put it through today - was working on 1 inch cherry - straight lines and curves.

- many other reviews suggested the screw for holding down the spindles and belt mechanism would tighten itself through use to the point of making it very difficult to remove - no sense of that today - in fact quite the reverse - it seemed to loosen itself through use - maybe I was being a little too cautious because of the reviews? - but I quickly changed gears and got aggressive about tightening it down - no issues.

- didn't like the washers on the spindles - changed spindles 3 times - (just because I could) - ended up looking for the washer on the floor 3 times ..... not sure that is a problem with the design or the operator ......

- so far this tool feels like a big wood tool - not a small wood tool - I did end up heading back to the 1" belt sander for a couple sections that needed a little more finesse ...... recognize that I will very definitely need to replace my 1" belt sander when it gives up the ghost ...... likely soon .....  not a story I will tell my wife ..... till after its done .....

- upshot?? - I like it .....

.... a LOT.

 

Jay

Excellent review. I found exactly the same thing. I love the machine. It's a bit pricey but in the end, after it's all paid for and I'm enjoying it, I don't care. The same will happen once I buy an EX21 I'm sure. I don't see that happening any time soon though.

Ray

 

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