Advice needed on disc/belt sander

[JoeinWestMich]

I am getting ready to make my next shop equipment purchase. I am selling my Shopsmith with the new headstock with digital control. I have been using this lately almost exclusively for the disc sander. It is too large now for my shop using just this feature. I am looking into a disc sander but keep running into the disc and belt sander combos in my research. The Jet 12" Bench Disc Sander Model JDS-12B get absolutely great reviews. It is a heavy duty bench sander so I can use existing bench space and not worry about a floor stand and mobility issues. This would give me just what I am giving up with the Shopsmith. I read about the disc/belt combos but unless I go to a heavy duty, floor model, I don't see such great reviews. I have a Jet spindle sander and a floor model drill press that I have a drum sander kit for. I don't see much of a need for a belt sander but have only been doing woodworking for a short time. Would you folks recommend the disc sander by itself given I have a spindle and drill press drum sander? Or do you feel the combo is best. My wood working is limited right now to kids furniture, lithophane boxes, decorative boxes and assorted other smaller items. Thanks for your advice.

[knight_toolworks]

well both are useful but the disc sander is limited to how big the disc is. you only get to use maybe 3 or 4" of it at most. they leave deep scratches and are useful for getting accurate angles and shaping an edge. a belt sander can do longer and bigger pieces and inside curves. but if you don't have the room then that takes care of it.
http://jettools-online.com/woodworking-tools/sanders/jsg-6dc-6-x48-belt-12-disc-sander-1-5hp-1ph-115-230v.html may be a more useful tool.
I have the floor model I would run this thing for 6 to 6 hours straight grinding steel.

[genek]

I only use my disk sander maybe 5 times a year. I use my belt sander every day. What Steve showed you is a good one. My next one will be a 6X 96 inch belt sander. MOSTLY WHAT YOU CAN DO ON A DISK YOU CAN DO ON A BELT. EXCEPT FOR GOOD ANGLES, BUT ON SOME YOU CAN DO THAT.

[donek]

My disc sanding needs are pretty minimal although it does get use just about every day. I've used this one for about 10 years with no complaints:
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-direct-drive-bench-top-disc-sander-43468.html

[Red F]

A disc sander is good for rough shaping and can only be effectively used on half the diameter. Changing grits isn't an easy task and often ruins the disc that is removed. A belt sander can be used for rough shaping or final sanding. Belts are available in higher grits and are simple enough to change between. Also I can orient the wood so that the scratches are inline with the grain.

I've never used a bench top model so I can't speak to their quality. I have a good floor model disc/belt. If I could, I'd trade it for a good edge sander.

If you do get a disc, try to find one in the 10" or 12" range. Also make sure that it runs true.

[cnc_works]

I have an old Powermatic 6" x 48" belt / 12" disk sander. I use the belt sander a great deal more than the disk, but I wouldn't want to give up the disk because of its great capability of shaping wood, aluminum and even steel. I just leave a 60 or 80 grit disk on it all the time, hardly ever have to change it. My opinion - if you can, buy the combo.

[Chuck Keysor]

Joe, 25 years ago I bought a cheap disc/belt sander combo, floor model. After 10 years of headaches, I bought a Delta 12" table mounted disc sander. At first it seemed totally awesome! But it turned out that the table tilting hardware was made of very delicate cast iron, and both of these broke when I was moving the machine! Instant junk. Then I bought a probably 50 year old Delta floor standing 12" disc/belt sander combo. It is really a wonderful tool! Totally solid, and the castings will never break on this beefy old work horse! I got this at an auction for $200, maybe a bit steep considering how old it is, but I love this machine and find the disc sander to be the most accurate way to make micro fine trims down to a precise line!

Anyway, if you buy a new machine, make sure you carefully check out how sturdy the machine is! Not only do you have to worry about cheap castings breaking, cheap supports will not hold its angle relative to the disc when you put something heavy on the table...

Good luck! Chuck

[JoeinWestMich]

Thanks everyone. This is helpful. Blaine, the Shopsmith has a 12" disc sander with a hook and loop pad that is held onto the disc with a layer of self adhesive. I really like this because changing the sanding discs (need to have ones that fit to the hook and loop) takes all of 10 seconds and doesn't damage the sanding disc. Several manufacturers make these but I have only, so far, purchased from ShopSmith.

[gundog]

I have a 12" disc sander from Harbor Freight it is one of the best things I have bought from them a lot of other stuff from there has been junk. I use mine mostly on metal but it works good. Changing grit from one size to another would be a pain but that is not how I use mine I keep the same disc on until it wears out.

I do not use the discs from HF I buy them from Enco and they last a long time.

I think if you want to change grit sizes a lot a belt sander would be better than the disc.

Mike

[dlcw]

I had a Delta sanding center that had a belt and disk. It sat unused in my shop for almost 2 years. I finally sold it (at about 1/4 its value) to the local high school woodshop.

I've got one of the Rigid oscillating spindle/belt sanders and it sees a LOT of use. Inexpensive machine but boy it works when I need it. MUCH more useful then the big Delta sanding center, that's for sure.

[knight_toolworks]

the ridgid is nice as long as you don't use much pressure.
now this is a disk sander
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zps1a098c62.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zps1a098c62.jpg.html)

[genek]

the ridgid is nice as long as you don't use much pressure.
now this is a disk sander
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zps1a098c62.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zps1a098c62.jpg.html)
where is the world is that old disk sander at.. a sheet of paper for that one would cost 40.00 lol how big is that 36 inch or better.

[knight_toolworks]

in a strange shop that sells old tools as art or decoration. right by my shop. I have a fellow woodworker in my basement has one that is 36"

[genek]

Steve where is your shop and what kind of price tag do the have on it.

[dlcw]

Steve,

I press pretty hard on that little Rigid and have been sanding all kinds of things on it for 3 years now. I've gone through about 15 belts sanding so much. It has not failed me. I feel I've gotten my moneys worth and a whole lot more.

Not a sales pitch, just stating that that little consumer machine has been working great in my production shop on a daily basis.

[stump]

I've got one of the Rigid oscillating spindle/belt sanders and it sees a LOT of use. Inexpensive machine but boy it works when I need it. MUCH more useful then the big Delta sanding center, that's for sure.

I second the Rigid oscillating belt sander. My first one lasted about 7 years and over 20,000 puzzle bases. It still works, it just stopped oscillating. I bought another one and the best part is that they are now guaranteed for life when you register them.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671#.UjpYfsZwp14

[knight_toolworks]

Steve where is your shop and what kind of price tag do the have on it.
a bit away from you portland oregon. I can find the price out I do work for the owner of the shop and get more pics.

[knight_toolworks]

Steve,

I press pretty hard on that little Rigid and have been sanding all kinds of things on it for 3 years now. I've gone through about 15 belts sanding so much. It has not failed me. I feel I've gotten my moneys worth and a whole lot more.

Not a sales pitch, just stating that that little consumer machine has been working great in my production shop on a daily basis.
With the belt if I pressed much it would loose tracking other then that it was fine.