Replacing my 1 x 30 sander

[Jim Adams Customs]

I need to replace my sander with a 2 x 72. Any suggestions and why. Money is not a question if I can justify it. Thanks in advance.

 

[scottickes]

I need to replace my sander with a 2 x 72. Any suggestions and why. Money is not a question if I can justify it. Thanks in advance.

I've ground on Baders, Cootes, Burr Kings and the KMG, before I made the decision on which one to purchase. I liked the KMG the best, so that is what I went with. I think it's the best value for the money. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't trade my KMG for any other grinder.

The why's are:

• Easy changeover from platens to wheels, etc.
• Quick changeout of belts.
• Smooth running.
• The tool arm storage system is very handy and doesn't take up much space, so it's easy to store tooling arms within easy reach.
• Solid machine, with very little vibration or belt wobble to fight against.

 

[Mark Redmon]

I wouldn't think of it as replacing... I think you'll find you will have a use for your 1x30 long after you get a 2x72. I use my 1x42 all the time for cleaning up tighter areas and handle shaping.

-Mark

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

I have a Bader , variable speed. One thing that was nice about it was open the crate , bolt it to the bench and go , no wiring other than attaching the plug to match my outlet ( mine is 220 ).

However , the tracking on mine flat out has sucked from the get go , after numerous calls to Bader , and not getting any help , I just gave up and live with it. A friend who lives a few miles away bought a Bader as well , 1 1/2 variable 110v , his tracking is far superior to mine.

He did however recently replace his platen setup for his Bader with the one Rob Frink offers ( KMG Platen ) , which is I think is a much nicer setup , since you can angle it any direction you want ( within its limits ).

I have referred 2 friends to Stephen Bader and both have bought machines from them , I hope they never have to use their customer service , or I may never hear the end of it.

All in all , I think a KMG would be a better choice , from what I gather Rob's customer service is excellent.

Either the Bader or the KMG are fast to change from contact wheel to platen to small wheel , both run smooth , both are solid machines.

See if you can find anyone in the area who has either to check it out for yourself. Fill out your profile with location and you will find folks in your area to check with.

I have mine setup like this :

Check with S.Shepherd I believe he still has one of each , and he prefers the KMG over his Bader.
Borrow his pict from a different thread.

here are some good links to sort thru:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334713&highlight=grinders
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=440235
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543711
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=611556
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594135
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601211

and here is one check out for sure:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207718