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6 x 48 Belt Sander Cooked

7K views 54 replies 19 participants last post by  GoodRice 
#1 ·
Hi folks,

My Sears belt sander died this morning after 35 years of service, so I am in the market for a new sander...it won't be a CRAPSMAN.

I spent most of the morning on the internet and am now more confused than ever. It looks like my only choices are Rikon, Jet or Powermatic, I really don't want to spend more than $500.00, so that narrows down the search to the entry level Jet or a Rikon.

Does anyone have any experience with these machines that you are willing to share.

Thank you and BE WELL.
 
#3 · (Edited)
You also might want to look at the Ridgid oscillating belt sander. It's not a powerful as the Griz 6x48 or similar Jet, et al offerings but I've come to depend on mine. It's not as aggressive but that works out for me - better to stall the belt than burn or over sand the work piece. Uses standard inexpensive belts, by the way. Sold my more powerful belt sander and haven't looked back. All of the show and tell items I posted were sanded using the Ridgid. A lot of WWers sing the praises of it.

edit: oh yeah, the best part - $200 at the BORG.

 
#4 ·
I had purchased the ridge combination sander basically cheap plastic and the belt motor started smoking after the 1st day, returned for a refund. Also tried a riknon 6x8 sander the new blue ones they are selling now. Worked ok but cheaply made a lot of plastixc also returned that also. Right now I am just chucking my 4" belt sander in the old B&D workmate (vice table).
 
#6 ·
are you talking about the ridgid oscillating belt sander? There have been some qc issues but all the reviews I read say that HD is easy on returns. Just keep swapping until you get a keeper. The price is right. I was pretty dubious at first but the reviews were enthusiastic, even from the guys that had to swap.
 
#8 ·
Sorry stick, we disagree on that. It's not like the fail rate is 50% or even 10%. In my case, the first one worked fine from the start and I've seen that in a lot of the reviews as well. If it was a $500 item, yeah, even a 5% fail rate is too high. That sander is a tremendous value and, frankly, worth a little fussing. As I recall, even FWW said some pretty positive tings about the ridgid.
 
#10 ·
didn't knock the sander...
I was take it back till you got a working one that I disagreed w/ and the lack of QC that got it on the store shelf...
again... we should not be the QC department for any manufacturer...
if manufacturers think that we don't need to buy their product.....
 
#11 ·
I have the Ridgid and love it, I got it for $100. from a shifty eyed guy in a Black Lincoln Town Car in the far back of the Toys Are Us parking lot after he drove around the lot 3 times to make sure I was the only one there. He was pissed when I made him open the box to make sure it was not full of bricks.

It was brand new 3 years ago , never been used or assembled. He never said bring it back if you have a problem. I have used the heck of it and it is going strong. I love the combination spindle/belt feature, and the belts are standard 4X26, the tubes are standard spindle sander tubes. The only thing I wish was if the dust collection was a little stronger,but it is satisfactory. I wonder why no one has come out with one of these sooner. My cousin bought his from HD on a black Friday special for $149, and he has had the same success as I have.
Herb
 
#12 ·
Well said, Bill...I say that recalling the recent thread regarding how we buy tools. I still have all the good tools I've bought...I've also replaced my cheapies too many times...whether it be for quality, features, accessories, etc...and for the reasons you posted.

Research is our friend...there's just too much information available at our fingertips to not take advantage of it. Consider how much time and travel I put into my search for a good folding ruler...

This forum is a fantastic tool...somebody has something somebody needs or wants...and it is the best review a person can get...it at least gets one in the right ballpark...
 
#13 ·
I have the Ridgid shown and use it all the time. Like the spindle option a lot as well. The dust collection is pretty poor, and even a very strong DC unit really doesn't help much. Place it somewhere where its easy to get behind it for cleanup. Mine is on wheels on top of an enclosed cabinet where I keep all my sanding stuff. It was on sale at HD and I don't recall spending anything like $200 for it. It comes with a variety of spindle sizes by the way, with storage for them built in. With a 60 grit standard size belt on it, you can really grind something down to size quickly. Switching belts is very easy as is converting it to a spindle and back. After 3 or 4 years of use, its going strong. Very odd on off switch on it, and the front half of the table folds down at an odd angle for some unknown reason. I just keep the table flat. I did bolt this down, but I don't think it really needs it, not really much vibration.
 
#14 ·
I had the green Rikon and thought that it was very good. I sold it though because I do that a lot. I can tell you that Rikon stands behind it's tools. If you need a part you call them and it's on it's way that day. If you need to know how to install the part call them and they will walk you through. In the case of the sander I had to replace a bearing. The service teck wasn't exactly sure about one point so he said he would call me back. When he did he had a machine in front of him and took it apart while we were on the line. That in itself is enough for me to buy another Rikon tool. As far as Rigid they have free lifetime parts. Send it back and they fix it or replace it but you do pay for the service.
 
#15 ·
Clay,
I should have gone further with my post. The SEARS Craftman sander that I have/had was a good tool.

It was totally cast iron,except for the dust guard and I don't exactly remember, but I think I paid less than $175.00 for it.

I made a trip to my friendly Sears yesterday afternoon and discovered their line of CRAPSMAN sanders. Mostly stamped metal or plastic, except for the sanding platen, I don't think it is worth the $299.00 price.

Until I get the chance to do some touchy/feely ona new sander, I will try to revive LAZURUS today with an in stock replacement motor and a tuneup.

BE WELL and Thank you.
 
#42 ·
I totally understand. I have used CM tools all my life, they were they best in their day, now I will never buy them. Who knows how long they will be in business.
That said. I feel the same about Makita. When I started, 30 years ago I only use Makita and I still have some of those tools. Now days who knows what to buy.
 
#16 · (Edited)
I lent my delta belt/disc sander out and it came back broken as the disk wouldn't turn , just the belt , so I bought another and it came back missing the belt tensioner . So I bought this as its to heavy for people to pick up so I never have to lend it out. Certainly solved my problems :)

 
#20 ·
Rick,

Perhaps you should associate with a different group of "FRIENDS". I would never think of borrowing a tool without returning it in the same shape or better when it came back to the owner.

This is the exact reason why I don't "lend" my tools. I will help you, or do it for you, but don't ask me to lend it to you. Very, very few of my friends ever hear a yes from me. However, the ones that do hear "yes" are like minded and return things in a timely manner in the same or better shape.
 
#19 ·
What Sears sells today is nowhere near the quality of that 35 year old sander. They are, now, made in Asia from cheap materials and no quality control.

Even the Sears employees realize this. I had a friend who was a repairman for Sears. He showed me how to determine the different manufacturers for their appliances. He steered me away from the GE products as they were the most repaired appliances. He was constantly replacing circuit boards. All made in Mexico. He felt that poor cleanroom techniques were to blame for the bad quality boards.

Unfortunately, Sears is not the only culprit. I could name a dozen tool manufacturers that have moved out of the US and provide substandard products which are a shadow of their former reputations.

The real question that you should ask is, why do we accept poor quality? Very simple, we buy with our wallets instead of our brains and feel that it does no good to complain. However, if enough people complain long and loud enough then the manufacturers would start to listen.
 
#22 ·
The "friend" that borrowed your tool isn't, nor ever was; an acquaintance at best.
Don't. Loan. Tools!

(I've never forgotten the 'friend' that borrowed a much loved book, in pristine condition, and returned it trashed...his kids had gotten a hold of it. No replacement offered. Instantly off my Xmas list.))
 
#26 ·
acquaintances take, complain about the service, quantities, menue and are insulted if asked to contribute or help...
buddies will roll up their sleeves, help ya move and share the load..
friends will show up at the door at 03:00 w/ their own shovel and never ask why...
 
#34 ·
We've had this chat before.
I have a very few neighbors and friends to whom I'll lend a tool, because I know I'll get it back promptly, and in the same or better condition than I loaned it...and often accompanied by a six-pack of craft brew.
I also have duplicates of a lot of things, and it's normally the older experienced version that leaves the tool crib.
When you've been to a guy's/gal's shop and it's in better shape than your own, well that's a pretty good indication! :)
 
#36 ·
When you've been to a guy's/gal's shop and it's in better shape than your own, well that's a pretty good indication! :)
Mike, Tom and Sam have shops that are danger zones...
some of the most organized disarray you ever saw...
no issue loaning them anything...
 
#43 ·
I buy good stuff these days. No point in fooling around with poorly made tools that need constant adjusting just to cut square. I pretty much buy whatever the guys on here recommend these days. I am contemplating buying the Laguna fourteen 12 band saw with their resaw king blade. I visited their shop recently and was amazed at the quality of all their tools. All overbuilt, rugged, good quality bearings, great American motors. And they fall all over themselves working out a solution if there is a problem. When I got their fusion table saw, one wing had a small bow. Not much, but it bothered me, so I called to arrange a replacement and they said, why don't you bring it in so we can make sure its right. When I arrived, they'd set up a brand new saw, specked it out, then used stainless steel machined straight edges and feeler gauges to make certain it was as close to perfect as possible. That's service. A friend on my first trip there bought the 16 inch 220 band saw. He's an engineer and was wowed by the QC and build of the saws. As long as they keep the quality up (and don't sell out to some crappy firm, I'm happy to send people there. I have the last good Delta 14 inch band saw that isn't bad, but for resawing, I think its hard to beat a Laguna. I looked at SawStop and really didn't like it as much as the Laguna, about the same quality machine, but double the price for the comparable SawStop unit over Laguna. BTW, I dont own stock.
 
#44 ·
"Rick: I can't help it so here goes. In effect, by buying a machine as heavy as that, you have very effectively "insulated" yourself against anyone borrowing your stuff. I'd include a smiley face but I can never figure out how to do it successfully."

Now it's time to insulate the shop. :blink:
 
#47 ·
I'm shopping around for a belt sander for very occasional home use. I won't be using it day on and day out, but there might come a time when no other type of sander will work on a particular project. I would like the flexibility of a variable-speed sander, and would like to stay at or under $125, if possible. Any recommended makes or models?
 
#49 ·
#51 · (Edited)
#55 ·
One thing I didn't make clear in my earlier message regarding belt sanders: I'm shopping for a portable one, not a benchtop model. I've seen the Black & Decker Dragster, but have read mixed reviews about it. I don't need a sander for everyday use; just for the occasional household project. I'd like to stay below $125, if possible. Also, I'd prefer the convenience of a variable speed machine.
 
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