| Review by MsDebbieP | posted 671 days ago | 2423 views | 1 time favorited | 40 comments | ![]() |
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- Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt / Spindle Sander
- Brand: Ridgid | Category: Sanders

(photo from: www.ridgid.com)
When we first were looking for tools for our shop Rick wanted a drum sander. We asked at a store and were shown this Ridgid model which is multi-purposed. Rick was sold and we’ve never regretted the purchase.
Features:- belt sander (4”)
- spindle sander (5 sizes)
- tilting table
- Switching between the belt sander and spindle sander is really easy.
- It is also simple to change the sleeves for the spindle sander.
- Everything is stored within easy reach and no special tools are required to change anything.
Our woodworking is not heavy duty. We are just hobbyists so I can’t speak for someone who makes a lot of projects. For us, the sander is excellent – convenient, easy to switch between jobs, and switch the sandpaper. The dust collection is good, from my experience as well.
Overall
We are VERY pleased with this tool and we use it quite frequently for our woodworking projects. No regrets on this puchase.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

























40 comments so far
JC
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127 posts in 697 days
posted 671 days ago
Thank you Ms. Debbie – I was hoping someone would review this!
Do you ever use the miter slot or tilting table to true up board ends? How long do the sanding belts and spindle covers last and are they expensive to replace?
-- JC - Central PA - www.affyx.com
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 671 days ago
Yes, I’ve used the tilting table (really convenient) .. as for truing up.. . well, I’m not that advanced to know any difference ha! :)
So far, we’ve used the same 80 grit belt since we got it and it still has a long life ahead of it. We bought one of those eraser cleaners and run it over the belt now and again if it starts to look clogged. Works great!!
We don’t use the spindle sander as much so I can’t give you a good indication on the duration of these sleeves.
As for cost, I’m drawing a blank. I don’t think it was that bad. We bought a bag of mixed spindle sleeves and it should last us FOREVER.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
GaryK
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9549 posts in 887 days
posted 671 days ago
Great review Debbie.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Rob McCune
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122 posts in 998 days
posted 670 days ago
What about the price?
-- Rob McCune
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 670 days ago
I keep forgetting about the price. I can’t remember what we paid for it.
I’m guessing that it was about $200. but that’s just a guess.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
JC
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127 posts in 697 days
posted 670 days ago
It’s $200 in Home Depot Stores in USA. I look every week for a sale – I think it’s the only product in HD that never goes on sale!
-- JC - Central PA - www.affyx.com
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 965 days
posted 670 days ago
I got one for Christmas, but haven’t set it up yet :-((. I’m in the process of trying to re-organize my shop – building new cabinets and counter tops for the benchtop tools to rest in. The weather has not been cooperating as well as I’d like, but one of these days I will get my spindle sander up and running.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
ToddE
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126 posts in 834 days
posted 670 days ago
This is a very well built machine. They have thought of everything on this. It has a huge table and a sturdy work area. You can also angle to work piece by tilting the table in incrementally notched adjustments. I have been looking forward to getting this for a long time. It was definitely worth waiting for. I recommend this to anyone considering a sanding station.
-- Do we do this for purpose or passion?
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 879 days
posted 670 days ago
Hi Ms Debbie,
The last time I came across something convenient and flexible, I ended up married, so I was afrsid toread your review. LOL
(Please don’t tell my wife I said that) Could be fatal.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
rikkor
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11335 posts in 774 days
posted 670 days ago
This is on my must-have list. Thanks for the positive review Ms Debbie.
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 670 days ago
ha Lee. that’s funny.
:)
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 779 days
posted 670 days ago
LEE if you send me one of those ezee roller outfits i wont have to call your wife !! lol
nice review ms. deb
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 669 days ago
doh.. Mr.Trim you are good.. I was trying to think of a response… darn and now I’m too late
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Roz
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474 posts in 686 days
posted 668 days ago
I have this one in my shop and had one in our shop in Great Lakes IL. It is a tough reliable perfomer. Mine gets a lot of use. I would recommend them to anyone. I only have one minor complaint. There is no good place to store the cover plate for the drum attachment when using the belt sander. It wont stay in place like I would like it to.
-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."
dataman
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66 posts in 1170 days
posted 668 days ago
I have the Ridgid EB4424 also. I find it very handy and a great tool!
For some reason I do have a problem with the removal of the drum sander assembly. The flat spot on the drive shaft becomes unaligned with the knotch of the sanding assembly and its pretty tough to dislodge.
Other than that I love it!
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 668 days ago
I’ve never had that difficulty
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Josh
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107 posts in 837 days
posted 667 days ago
“I only have one minor complaint. There is no good place to store the cover plate for the drum attachment when using the belt sander.”
Did you try the spot in the back where the beltsander sits when using the spindle sander? I think mine fits right down in there.
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 667 days ago
oh right.. that’s where it fits. I remember now!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Blake
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2764 posts in 773 days
posted 664 days ago
I want one soooooooo bad. Gotta wait ‘till it comes into the store used. Thanks for the review.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
daiku1
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21 posts in 698 days
posted 661 days ago
I have this one as well, but mine is for sale. Used it for about 1 hour total before I bought a big grizzly oscillating sander. I needed the taller and bigger drums for my work. Great for a small shop where space is limited {I guess that’s all shops :) }. Let me know if any of you are interested in mine. (Hope this comment isn’t in the wrong place).
jim
-- jim
Blake
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2764 posts in 773 days
posted 636 days ago
Hey Deb… I GOT MINE!!!
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 636 days ago
oh yah.. happy dance!!!! :)
And????
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
TroutGuy
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100 posts in 611 days
posted 604 days ago
I’ve been considering this machine for my shop too. A couple of questions though.
1) Is it square?
2) Does the belt oscillate too, or just the spindle?
-- There is nothing in the world more dangerous, than a woodworker who knows how to read a micrometer...
Blake
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2764 posts in 773 days
posted 604 days ago
TroutGuy:
Yea, the belt oscillates too. It’s really cool. And it does seem to be really square, accurate, smooth, and well built. I am completely happy with mine. This machine was the inspiration for my recent LEAF BOX. This project shows how fine you can get the curves with this machine.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 622 days
posted 604 days ago
I, like several others, have been looking at this sander and wishing it went on sale. Now after reading all these comments, I may just use part of my “economic stimulus package” and pick one up. Who know it may even help stimulate some econmy my way. Thanks Ms Debbie, and other, for the review.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
TroutGuy
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100 posts in 611 days
posted 604 days ago
Kevin:
I was afraid you’d say that.
How am I gonna sell THIS new toy, I mean, tool to my wife? Hmmmmm… ;-)
MsDebbieP:
Thanks for the review!
-- There is nothing in the world more dangerous, than a woodworker who knows how to read a micrometer...
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 604 days ago
Thanks for answering those questions Blake.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
gator9t9
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295 posts in 603 days
posted 584 days ago
I have the Ridgid Oscillating Sander and love it ….199.00 at The Home Depot….i was dubious at first but soon as i started using it i loved it …and it is all pretty much plastic and Aluminum too ..but it gets the job done …Home Depot does not do a great job of having their tool guy know where the sandpaper is for this unit …but i found The replacement sleeves and belts for very inexpensive at
https://www.cumminstools.com/ they call themselves Toolsnow.com also …
here is a pic of my RidGid
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm103/gator9t9/Tools/DSCF0464.jpg
-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."
closetguy
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310 posts in 791 days
posted 570 days ago
Having used a sanding drum chucked into a drill press for a number of years, I finally broke down and purchased the Ridgid a couple of weeks ago. It’s a big improvement over the drill press and gets the job done. The engineering is very good, but they really missed their mark when it came to designing the throat plate. The plate on mine will pop out if too much pressure is applied when sanding large pieces. The plate is not like a table saw plate that screws down, but just free floats. It gets so aggravating that I have thought about glueing it down permanetly. I have no use for the belt sander since I already have a dedicated belt sander and wheel. Even though it gets the job done, this cheesy plastic throat plate thing is very disappointing.
-- I don't make mistakes, only design changes....www.dgmwoodworks.com
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 570 days ago
I’ve never had mine pop out…but then maybe I’m not using it for the same purpose as you do.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Seer
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92 posts in 541 days
posted 533 days ago
Does anyone have a problem with a thumping sound coming from there sander. When I use the spindle it gives a little thump at the top of the rotation almost like it is hitting something when it tops out?
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 523 days ago
not mine…. sounds like something isn’t sitting right
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Seer
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92 posts in 541 days
posted 518 days ago
I took it back to Home Depot and they exchanged it no questions asked. I use the heck out of it and would be lost without it
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 518 days ago
and the new one is working fine?
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
matter
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209 posts in 668 days
posted 518 days ago
FWW had a great review of that sander recently- it got top marks, and best overall value.
Nice review!
-- The only easy wood project is a fire
motthunter
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2079 posts in 698 days
posted 302 days ago
I love mine. It is a great tool
-- making sawdust....
tmiller
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90 posts in 212 days
posted 210 days ago
This is a great sander.
I just discovered abrasive cleaners (rubber type brick) and they work wonders.
This sander will accept Ryobi brand sleeves.
-- All trees have projects inside of them, it is your job to get them out.
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 210 days ago
yah, it’s definitely one of our “glad we bought it” tools
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
interpim
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457 posts in 358 days
posted 210 days ago
Thanks for the review… I am going to put this on the list of tools I can’t yet afford, but want. LOL
-- San Diego, CA US Navy
a1Jim
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17138 posts in 476 days
posted 210 days ago
Super review
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com