RIGID Spindle Sander? Or HF? Or...?

I recently got the Ridgid. I used my DP as a stop gap, but it got frustrating quickly. I’d probably give a robber my wallet and car keys before I handed over that OSS. I use it more than I ever thought I would. Surprisingly, I use the edge/belt sander more than the spindles. I thought I had no use for one of those.

It’s one of those tools that really has no substitute or no equal (within a mile of it’s price range anyway)

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

Agree with Joe 100%. Bang for the buck, you can’t go wrong with the Ridgid. I use mine all the time, and it’s held up very well with no problems.

-- John, BC, Canada

I’ve had my Ridgid sander for 3 years and it’s still working great. Easy to get new sanding sleeves when I need them and the dust collection isn’t bad either

If you are only looking for a spindle sander and not a edge/spinder sander I would look at Grizzley’s spindle sander. I have a Rockwell that looks like the same thing and by the pictures of HF it looks to be the same. If you have a HF near you (I don’t and don’t want the hassle of trying to return a defective one) you may want to give that a try. I didn’t need a combo unit as I had a stationary belt sander already. But after getting my spindle sander I don’t know how I lived without it before.

You will use the belt sander more than you think. My belt is in place 95% of the time. Wait, that didn’t sound right…

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

Another vote for Ridgid. If you are close to a Tanger Outlet Mall you may be able to save some money. Direct Tools are now in most locations and are somehow tied to TTI – owners of Ryobi, Ridgid, Milwaukee and others. If they are having a sale I would guess that you can get the sander for around $125. I think they have a couple of locations in PA and with Easter around the corner maybe a sale going on.
Anyway it’s a great sander at any price. Good luck and let us know what you decide. I keep mine under my bench. It’s pretty compact.

-- "Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often." - Mark Twain

+1 for everyone who commented on the Ridgid. It’s an awesome little sander. Quick change between spindle and belt sander. Quiet, relatively vibration free, tilting front table for bevels, and easy to find replacement sandpaper sleeves in multiple grits. I never used my drill press as a sander after buying the Ridgid

-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once

another vote here on ridgid.bought it about 3 weeks ago and wondered what i ever did without it.

-- Marty.Athens,AL

Ive heard great things about the ridgid although i have a ryobi that is great and is now made by grizzly. http://www.grizzly.com/products/Oscillating-Spindle-Sander/G0739

My review: http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/2946

Ridgid got everything right with the EB4424. The mode change out from spindle to belt and to different spindle sizes is incredibly simple and fast. The dust collection is surprisingly good to boot. Never a moment of regret with this purchase.

I have the ridged and if it croaks I’ll buy another one. 7 years and no problems.

-- Life is good.

+ a bunch for the Ridgid.
More bang for the buck in my shop. Good belts (after market) and a belt “eraser” to keep ‘em clean make this sander a real value.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

I have the HF and wish I would have bought the ridgid.
The HF one isn’t bad. Actually I have no complaints, works well. The dust collection on it is great. Just wish I would have went for the extra functionality of the ridgid.

I have the HF spindle sander. I bought it instead of the Ridgid belt/spindle sander because I already had a floor standing Craftsman 48” belt/9” disc sander. It’s a really handy tool, especially for sanding curved edges fresh from the band saw.

Anyway, I wouldn’t generally buy a Harbor Freight power tool but their spindle sander seems to be the same unit as Delta, Grizzly, Triton, Shop Fox, etc. I got it on sale for pretty cheap.

Check these links:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Oscillating-Spindle-Sander/G0739
http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-spindle-sander-95088.html
http://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-RK9011-Series-Oscillating-Spindle/dp/B002CJLV0U
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=32132&site=ROCKLER
http://toolsandmore.us/shop-fox-w1831-oscillating-spindle-sander.aspx

They all look like the same 3.5 amp spindle sander to me! Who really makes it? I have no idea. I got mine 2-3 years ago and so far it’s held up well for hobby use. If it quits I’d probably look for a higher quality unit as I really like having a spindle sander in the shop.

Bill

i can’t wait to get this this…just seems like such a good deal…someday :-)

-- It's made of wood. Real sturdy.--Chubbs Peterson