Spindle sander?

I had a Grizzly for years and used it on every knife until I got my small wheels for my 2x72. Never had a problem with it. Sold it to a friend who still uses it.
 
WEN makes a cheap one that I got from Home Depot. It gets the job done, just really slow to remove material. Sold it when I got my 2x72.
 
LOL! Ken & I have been talking about this for a few weeks. I brought it up to him & he pulled the trigger.

I hope he chimes in because we had some ideas on it.
 
One Armed said:
LOL! Ken & I have been talking about this for a few weeks. I brought it up to him & he pulled the trigger.

I hope he chimes in because we had some ideas on it.
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I searched before I posted and didn't see a thread on this... did I miss it somewhere? Thank you all for any input on what to buy - or more importantly, what NOT to buy. I'm planning on using it mostly for shaping handles.
 
Interesting you started the thread Tim - I'd been thinking about starting a thread asking why more folks don't use a spindle sander vs a small wheel attachment. After One Armed mentioned the idea of getting one, I ordered this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKXNWWX and it seems to be working pretty good. One thing I'm finding out, the spindle sanding sleeves sure do wear out pretty fast, even the Zirc type I ordered from SuperGrit. The problem (as I see it) you're using only a very small piece of sandpaper, say 5/8" vertical, and a small diameter around. With a 1" diameter sleeve I'll sand some, then cut the worn bottom section off, slide same sleeve back on and sand some more. The larger sleeves (2" & 3") it works good. On the small sleeves (1/2", 3/4", & 1") is where the wear is fastest. It would be good if they had a 1" vertical stroke.

For cleaning up finger groove, or similar things it works really good. For grinding the finger groove from a straight bar it takes a bit longer than with small wheel attachment I normally use.

I'm thinking it's going to work pretty good on forming "coke bottle" type handle...... I think anyway. I've only started using it so am still learning more about it.

One thing I did do is replace those plastic inserts for the small diameter sleeves. They are so flexible the plastic would flex while using with small pieces like a backspring. I made a 1/2", 3/4", & 1" insert from 1/8" aluminum plate and it works really good. The large sleeves work "ok" with the plastic inserts because there isn't so much plastic to flex. As I use it more I might make more aluminum inserts, just have to see if the large sleeve inserts keep working or not.

Chris, you mentioned using a spindle sander until you got the small wheel attachment - what is your thinking now you have used both? Obviously you prefer the small wheel attachment since you traded off the spindle sander.

Ken H>
 
You didn’t miss anything Tim. Sorry, I should have been more specific. It’s just something Ken & I have been talking about privately. Him & I are online friends apart from the forum, and we usually have a conversation on one topic or another. LOL. But didn’t do a thread. We were both going to wait awhile.

I haven’t ordered mine yet. I’ll be getting the portable reciprocal sander made by Wen. Can pick it up for like $54 I think. I’ve been using drum sanders on my drill press for several years now. I like that over using the small wheels on a horizontal grinder. I made a 1x42” horizontal grinder, and it’s ok. I just find the sanding drums easier... for me anyway.
 
KenH said:
Interesting you started the thread Tim - I'd been thinking about starting a thread asking why more folks don't use a spindle sander vs a small wheel attachment. After One Armed mentioned the idea of getting one, I ordered this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKXNWWX and it seems to be working pretty good. One thing I'm finding out, the spindle sanding sleeves sure do wear out pretty fast, even the Zirc type I ordered from SuperGrit. The problem (as I see it) you're using only a very small piece of sandpaper, say 5/8" vertical, and a small diameter around. With a 1" diameter sleeve I'll sand some, then cut the worn bottom section off, slide same sleeve back on and sand some more. The larger sleeves (2" & 3") it works good. On the small sleeves (1/2", 3/4", & 1") is where the wear is fastest. It would be good if they had a 1" vertical stroke.

For cleaning up finger groove, or similar things it works really good. For grinding the finger groove from a straight bar it takes a bit longer than with small wheel attachment I normally use.

I'm thinking it's going to work pretty good on forming "coke bottle" type handle...... I think anyway. I've only started using it so am still learning more about it.

One thing I did do is replace those plastic inserts for the small diameter sleeves. They are so flexible the plastic would flex while using with small pieces like a backspring. I made a 1/2", 3/4", & 1" insert from 1/8" aluminum plate and it works really good. The large sleeves work "ok" with the plastic inserts because there isn't so much plastic to flex. As I use it more I might make more aluminum inserts, just have to see if the large sleeve inserts keep working or not.

Chris, you mentioned using a spindle sander until you got the small wheel attachment - what is your thinking now you have used both? Obviously you prefer the small wheel attachment since you traded off the spindle sander.

Ken H>
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I used the spindle sander tons when I made longbows but as you said before when the sleeves hit steel its all over quickly. The other reason I sold it was, at the time, I wanted to only need to order 2x72 belts instead of 4 different sizes plus sanding sleeves. If you use it on wood Or similar materials it is hard to beat.
 
Tim, the Grizzly looks exactly like the Wren I got on Amazon, right down to the plastic inserts and even the listed weight seems to be the same.
 
TimGinMN said:
Yeah and I think the Shop Fox on the Grizzly site is the same unit too.
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Shop Fox has a two year warranty, while most Grizzly products have a one year warranty. Other than that they're virtually identical. While you can buy Shop Fox on the Grizzly website, ShopFox also has a network of distributors. Grizzly green does not and is only available to purchase online.
 
Sean Jones said:
Shop Fox has a two year warranty, while most Grizzly products have a one year warranty. Other than that they're virtually identical. While you can buy Shop Fox on the Grizzly website, ShopFox also has a network of distributors. Grizzly green does not and is only available to purchase online.
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Oh thanks for that. I see that is the case now. Looks like I can order the Shop Fox through Northern for the same price as the Grizzly and get free shipping too... hmmm :rolleyes:

And now I see the Wen has 2 years also and is $30 less AND has free shipping... gettin' close to a Bingo here!
 
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They ARE the same. These are Chinese made machines from the same factories and sold to various names. It’s the same deal as the X2 mini mill(like I have), being sold under the names Saig, Central Machinery, Grizzly, and many, many more!

Very common thing with CHINESIUM goods. These machines are the “half decent” variety and the selling company dictates the price.

I usually look for Wen now, with these types of small machines. Their prices are typically the best. I recently picked up a Wen Porta Band, and it absolutely rocks!
 
Let me preface this by saying "I do not own one". I thought about getting one of these but I ended up getting a small wheel kit and arm for my birthday. When I was researching them believe it our not the Harbor Freight one got some really decent reviews. With a 20%off coupon and a sale you could get it well under your target. But like I said I do not own one! Take it for what its worth and good luck with whatever you decide!!
 
I looked at the HF spindle sander, but it didn't seem to be as good. The HF spec'd at 19 lb and 1/5 hp while the Wren, Grizzly, etc are listed at ~30 lb & 1/2 hp. Cost of HF with 20% is $118.40 + $7 shipping for a total of $127.40 vs $140.67 shipped for the Wren. That is why I went with the Wren.
 
There is some variation from seller to seller in the specs of the equip coming from the same factory. The differences may or may not be worth the $$$. Think MTD lawnmowers and MTD manufactured Cub Cadet lawnmowers.
 
KenH said:
I looked at the HF spindle sander, but it didn't seem to be as good. The HF spec'd at 19 lb and 1/5 hp while the Wren, Grizzly, etc are listed at ~30 lb & 1/2 hp. Cost of HF with 20% is $118.40 + $7 shipping for a total of $127.40 vs $140.67 shipped for the Wren. That is why I went with the Wren.
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Yeah I noticed the HP difference and was thinking that 1/5 is really kinda wimpy. Would be afraid of bogging it down too easily.
 
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