Thread: Scheppach vs Carbatec Oscillating Spindle Sander

Generally speaking, slower speeds are better when sanding timber. If the Carbatec one is made in Taiwan, that usually means that it is a reasonable product.

Where is the Scheppach made, bet ya it's China?

Have a look at the weight difference between the 2 as well, Carbatec is 37KG whereas the Scheppach is 14.6kg

Originally Posted by Acco

Generally speaking, slower speeds are better when sanding timber. If the Carbatec one is made in Taiwan, that usually means that it is a reasonable product.

Where is the Scheppach made, bet ya it's China?

Have a look at the weight difference between the 2 as well, Carbatec is 37KG whereas the Scheppach is 14.6kg

A lot of pretty crappy products come out of Taiwan, along with some good ones. And I've bought some pretty crappy stuff from Carbatec, too, as well as the good. That's why I asked for advice from guys who own these machines. What looks good on paper is not necessarily good in practice.

Thanks for the info about sanding speeds - I thought that faster would be better, as long as it's not so fast it burns. Faster is better with my oscillating sander, (Dremel MultiMax).

I'm most definitely leaning toward the Carbatec model, but want some feedback first. Although the Scheppach is only a small table model, they are a reputable manufacturer.

I had the scheppach and would not buy again. the motor burnt out in less than 6 months and I only used it three times in that time for light work. The scheppach design is a common one to many brands with different names applied. I spoke to someone on the weekend who had the Carba-Tec and they said don't buy it get a JET.

I'm in the market for a new spindle sander also so I approched Gregory Machinery and asked them for a deal on their JET as the TWWW is coming up next week. Guess what, no deal came back. Just one of the many ways not to treat a customer for a sale I say. So I'm still looking and I have money that can wait for someone with a deal.

SB

Originally Posted by Superbunny

I had the scheppach and would not buy again. the motor burnt out in less than 6 months and I only used it three times in that time for light work. The scheppach design is a common one to many brands with different names applied. I spoke to someone on the weekend who had the Carba-Tec and they said don't buy it get a JET.

I'm in the market for a new spindle sander also so I approched Gregory Machinery and asked them for a deal on their JET as the TWWW is coming up next week. Guess what, no deal came back. Just one of the many ways not to treat a customer for a sale I say. So I'm still looking and I have money that can wait for someone with a deal.

SB

Thanks, Superbunny. I was wary of the Carbatec, that's why I posted. From what I've heard about their other products, I thought that the Scheppach would be decent, but now I know better. I'll be using it a lot and don't want it to burn out.

How much is the Jet? (I'm only on a pension and pretty limited in funds, but I do need a sander fairly quickly. Like yesterday.)

I bought the Sheppach because I could not justify the extra cost of the Carba-Tech product.

It seems OK to me. I did the inside curves on this bloke on it....


Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch


I bought mine at $165 in one of Hare & Forbes' regular sales.

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Originally Posted by Hermit

A lot of pretty crappy products come out of Taiwan, along with some good ones.

Yeap but in most cases, they are usually good if they're made for Carbatec in Taiwan. Also note that I said USUALLY.

I'm most definitely leaning toward the Carbatec model, but want some feedback first. Although the Scheppach is only a small table model, they are a reputable manufacturer.

Yes Scheppach is USUALLY good but it might pay for you to look a bit further into this, as I've heard lots of horror stories regarding their wet stone grinders on this board.

As I said, bet ya it's made in China like the wet stone grinder but then again it might be really good and made in Taiwan

Point I'm making is that even though it's a reputable brand, it doesn't mean it's the best, I know of other top brands with crap equipment cause it was made in China, but then again, yes some good stuff has also come out of China as well.

Originally Posted by Superbunny

I spoke to someone on the weekend who had the Carba-Tec and they said don't buy it get a JET.

Can you expand on this SB? Did they give a reason, as I also will be looking to buy one in the future

Originally Posted by Acco

Yes Scheppach is USUALLY good but it might pay for you to look a bit further into this, as I've heard lots of horror stories regarding their wet stone grinders on this board.

As I said, bet ya it's made in China like the wet stone grinder but then again it might be really good and made in Taiwan

Point I'm making is that even though it's a reputable brand, it doesn't mean it's the best, I know of other top brands with crap equipment cause it was made in China, but then again, yes some good stuff has also come out of China as well.

Of course you're right. With a limited budget, though, I was trying to find the best of the lower-priced machines. It sounds like none are any good. I just checked Gregory Machinery to try to get a price on the Jet, but clicking on 'Power Tools' leads to an empty page.

So, now I can afford to spend up to a max of $500, need this sander most urgently, but have nothing to buy.

Originally Posted by Charleville

I bought the Sheppach because I could not justify the extra cost of the Carba-Tech product.

I bought mine at $165 in one of Hare & Forbes' regular sales.

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Good price. I just checked eBay, just-in-case. One only for sale for $235 delivered, a 'Smit'.
Anyone heard of them? 1440rpm, 1/2" to 3" spindles.

As Acco asked, too, I'd be interested to hear what the problem actually was with the Carbatec model.

Charleville, I like the dog, but have to ask - what is it? a golf club?

G'Day "Hermit",
I got a Scheppach for Fathers Day last year.
While it hasn't had as much use as I'd planned [ie hip replacement] I've given it a reasonable workout and it's still going well.
I use the "sander clearing rubber" to keep the sanding sleeves going as long as possible.
On the issue of different grit sleeves, someone some time back mentioned you could do an order for a sleeve at the diameter & grit you wanted from a local supplier.
[sorry can't remember the name but don't think it's one of our sponsers "Sandpaper Man"].
Anyways, just my two bobs worth.
Cheers, crowie

Thanks crowie. Under the circumstances, I'm sort of leaning toward the Scheppach again at the moment, because it's cheaper to replace if it does die. I could get two Scheppachs for the price of one Carbatec. And thanks for the info regarding replacement sleeves.

I just found another, a 'Major' MWE-BS5 at Major Woodworking Equipment, $440. MWE-BS5 Spindle Sander - Major Woodworking Equipment
Anyone heard of these?

I dunno. The Scheppach is cheapest if it dies prematurely, but is limited. I can't order one until Tuesday anyway, so I'll mull it over a bit, keep an eye on this thread and see what happens. I really appreciate all of this input.

Edit: Jet list Trend Timbers as one of their distributors, so I've emailed them for a price on the JBOS-5: - http://www.jet-tools.com.au/Machiner...rs/JBOS-5.html (I don't expect good news.)

Meantime, back to the Microplanes, Dremel and sanding blocks.

Originally Posted by Hermit

Charleville, I like the dog, but have to ask - what is it? a golf club?

Nope. It is the latest in a series of hobby horses that I have made for grand kids.

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch


I have at least two more to make.


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Originally Posted by Charleville

Nope. It is the latest in a series of hobby horses that I have made for grand kids.
I have at least two more to make.

They're very good. I'll bet the kids love them.

Originally Posted by Superbunny

I had the scheppach and would not buy again. the motor burnt out in less than 6 months and I only used it three times in that time for light work
SB

Did you try to return it under warranty? (I assume they have a warranty.)

At this stage I'm completely disillusioned. I've been looking forward to buying this for weeks and now I find out that if I buy one of the ones I can afford, I'll just be buying junk. I can't continue sanding by hand. It takes 10's of hours.
I surrender.