Which stationary sanders

Hi folks,

The next tools to get for me would be some sanding machines.

I need a 1inch belt sander, a disc sander, and eventually will want to buy an oscillating spindle sander for curves.

I am wondering, based on others’ experience, what would be the best combination in terms of cost and space.

I can easily go to Harbor Freight and buy the cheap little 1×30 sander, however I am thinking that a machine with a 1×42 belt would be a better purchase.

I want a disc sander, and it seems that something larger than 6” will be more useful in the long run. There are some combination machines with a 1inch strip and an 8” disc like the Rikon 50-142. On the other hand, there is still the possibility of getting the 1×30 belt sander and a separate 12” disc (HF again probably). That makes it 2 machines but the total price is not too bad and it shouldn’t take much more space.

And then another possibility is to get the separate 1×30 belt sander as above and then another 6×9 belt/disc combo machine. At this point, I am wondering if owners of those machines find that they still use the wide belt sander a lot if they already have a large disc sander?

The OSS will be an additional machine, and I’m aware of the Ridgid one that can also be a belt sander. I am not sure yet if a belt will be useful.

Thanks for any opinion/experience!

David

-- David - Tucson, AZ