spindle sander-useful?

SDS

SDS

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
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I got several home depot gift cards for Christmas and after looking through their tool list I found a Rigid spindle sander that also has an edge/belt sander. I have seen a spindle sander in a couple of knife shops I've been to and was wondering how useful they are. Unfortunately the maker I knew well passed away recently and with him a wealth of information.

Just curious if this would be money well spent or if I should find something else.

Thanks,
SDS
 
That was what I was primarily wanting it for. I can get some of the smaller countours on my belt grinder with a small wheel but I have a hard time keeping everything even. I figured this might make things a bit easier and when I saw that belt edge sander that kind of piqued my interest a bit too.

Thanks,
SDS
 
I actually got that exact sander for christmas; I am planning on using it for shaping of handles, finger grooves, etc. Since I do a bit of woodworking to I think it will come in quite handy!!
 
Well that was the plan. I'm glad at least I'm thinking along the same lines as others here. Sometimes I feel like I'm just bumbling through this all.

Thanks again,
SDS
 
You can actually just use a mandrel and some sanding drums in a drill press if you already have one of those to perform the same operation as the spindle sander and it's gonna be waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than the sander machine itself. Plus you can also change the speed your sanding at as well with that drill press/mandrel setup whereas the ridgid i'm guessing is one speed. it's nice that it has an edge sander as well though.
 
I think this is a awesome little machine by the looks of it.I will be checking it out myself.Been wanting a horizontal grinder for awhile now,just havent felt what little I needed it for justified the costs,but this one is cost effective enough for me.

Bruce
 
The mandrel idea is one I had thought of in the past, and without the gift cards I probably wouldn't be considering this machine right now. With the cards however, it brings the cost way down for me and I think I'd use it a fair bit.

My biggest concern with this machine is how well it will hold up to grinding on metal. I know it wasn't built for this and I will be using it only to do some finish work and handle contouring but the durability issue is still something to think about.

I called and the local Home Depot has three of them in stock so I guess I'll head over there in the next day or so and pick one up.

SDS
 
My spindle sander is a Delta. It was around $220.00 if I remember correctly. I use it quite frequently. Its great for finger grips, handle curves, finger choils, etc. Its in the second and third pictures down. http://www.tanguaycustomknives.com/about_shop.html

I get the sanding spindles from McMaster Carr (mostly use 3/4" and 1") as they seem to have the best prices and super fast delivery time. Its given over two years of good service with no noticable wear. I don't push it beyond its limits, and I give it a good cleaning at the end of each use. So far so good.

Scott

p.s. I think I looked at the one you are describing, but all that plastic turned me off. I saw this Delta at a local woodworking tool store, and although it also has its share of plastic, it seemed a little more rugged over all. I especially liked the heavy, machined metal work table.

p.s.s Guess what...I just checked, and Home Depot carries it (though it appears to be out of stock online at the moment): http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100341717
 
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