Thread: Spindle/oscilating sanders

Hi Wolften,

The spindle sander is definitely on my want to get list.
I have seen the Jet and it looks to be a good little unit.
Just out of interest would you be able to post some of your findings in relation to unit cost and cost of the sanding sleeves in this thread as I think many will find it useful.

Cheers

Stinky

As one would imagine, jigsawing a curve then finish sanding, I would think a 120grit followed by 220 maybe.

What do yous reckon[/QUOTE]

I've never used one of the bench top machines but had a lot of experience using an old Wadkin for model making and pattern making.
I would be wary of going so fine as depending on the speed of the bobbin and diameter it may burn the timber.
Conversly coarse paper would be good to start especially if the cut is a bit rough.
I used the yellow 60 grit only to recover the Wadkin bobbins.
You should have a range of grits in the sleeves but don't be afraid to try coarse ones.
I've also used one of the McGills ? abrasive cleaning sticks as you can greatly prolong the life of bobbin and disc paper and stop burning with one of these. The old crepe soles on shoes works also.
Hope this is of help.
H.

I have a Scheppach, from H&F, ( https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W843 ).
It only has a 4 1/2" bobbin length, so I can't help with suppliers for the Jet or SwissTech sleeves. I buy 9" sleeves from Carbatec and cut them in half. Much cheaper than the 4 1/2" replacements from H&F.

Has anyone tried The Sandpaper Man for replacement sleeves?
I've been meaning to ask him, but haven't got around to it. I don't use my machine that often and the sleeves seem to last forever.

The grits that I find most useful are 80G and 180G. With the 180, it doesn't take long to remove the 80G sanding marks, then 240G+ by hand finishes the surface.

N.B. I noticed that the Jet and SwissTech only go up to 2" sleeves, (1/4" to 2"). The Scheppach takes up to 3", (1/2" to 3"). I find the 3" bobbins very useful for gentler curves. They have a high surface speed, too, so cut quickly. The Scheppach doesn't have a tilting table, though, but personally I've never needed one.

I have the Jet version and I find it very good even though I haven't overworked it so far. It is very quiet and smooth. The bobbin speed is slower compared to the Scheppach, but still cuts very quickly. The slower RPM may help to reduce burning and clogging. I always only use light pressure when sanding in a hope to not clog the sleeve. As soon as it starts to fill, I use one of those grissel sticks and clean it. I tend to mainly use 120 grit, but that is probably because it I all I have. It would be nice to have the 3" drum and they are available as an optional extra if required.
The 2 brands that you link to appear to be almost identical.
Here is a link to the Sandpaper Man for a price comparison. From what I have seen so far, there are no really good deals out there on sleeves. Most pricing seems to be fairly similar.

For anyone looking for the finer 180G (9") sleeves, (good for cutting into 2 x 4 1/2" sleeves), they're here, below. Not the cheapest on the market, but the only place I could find the finer grit:

Spindles & Sleeves to suit SS-3501 : CARBA-TEC

The 2" is listed as 280G, but I'm pretty sure it was really 180G, from memory.

Carbatec don't appear to sell the SS-3501 spindle sander any more, so these sleeves might not be available for much longer. I might have to stock up.

N.B. It doesn't say anywhere that the sleeves are 9" long, but they are.