Man, I was going to go TODAY and buy the little $229 Harbor Freight oscillating edge sander after I was at a guy’s shop who has this model and recommended it heartily. I decided I didn’t need anything that big. Then I watched this video... then I showed this video to my wife and she gave me the go ahead to order one. Dude, you convinced my WIFE... that’s a effective pitch...
this is a great review. I like that you explained what you disliked about it and what you liked. I was thinking about upgrading my belt / disk sander but now I am rethinking my options. Thanks!
great video only problem was had to watch to end to see what I needed to know . I just bought one got it today and was trying to get the sander to come up new ones have a on the nob to unlock and lock long story short I noticed you had to put a little force to move lever to move the table up and down . was afraid to push or pull to hard on the nob so now ill go push a little harder . instructions are so so on this
Great review. One thing I would note is that you mentioned if there was an option to make the table raise with a lead screw or some other mechanism, you probably would not have paid the extra money. Watching videos for other machines that do have this feature e.g. Hammer, this is one of the things the reviewers tend to rave about...their point being that the ability to easily adjust the table means that they get a lot more use out of their belts as they can, in seconds, raise or lower the table. This really just goes to show that different folks want different things out of their equipment and, thankfully, we live in a country where there are a very decent number of choices to fit most people's wallets.
Larry, thanks for watching and well said. Over the years I've come acostomed to not having a handcrank and it's not as big of a deal as I may have made it seem, just seemed like an afterthought at the time. But as you said companies engineer for a price point.
I’ve been using a festool palm sander with the edge attachment…does the oscillation feature on this eliminate the fine scratch marks that a regular belt sander leaves on board edges?
It does a pretty good job at providing a cleanly sanded edge. It leaves a linear grain sanding that you can hit with a sander after but nothing quite comes close to a machine like this for sanding things like doors and panels, getting a clean and precise 90 degree edge with no deviations.
Great review! I recently purchased a Grizzly G1140, similar to what you have but doesn’t oscillate. Any chance you will make a video of all the ways you use it in your shop?
Thank you Brian. I could do another video sure, any particular thing your interested in? I use it for just about all sanding, fitting cabinet doors, sanding templates or edges of signs, all kinds of things.
BrianCNC i bought the same machine, based on your review. I use it alot now. Only downside i find is removing the backcover/replacing belts. Maybe diy something, where it slots in with magnets :)
Hi Brian, you were mentioning higher quality versions of this kind of tool, what brands exist that are higher quality but have these features and are perhaps US or European built? Thanks for your help!
US built is tough, there are very few floor standing machines made here anymore, and no brands that I can think of at the moment. The higher end ones I mentioned are your typical euro brands like SCMI, but you're going to put out a lot more money for just these. The edge sander hasn't really changed much in the past fifty year so it's not a tool I would spend much money on more than the Jet when buying new. The bells and whistles in wide belt sanders and the like are where you really can get some fancy features spending more money.
+Digs Fossils-n-Knives FYI: For my needs, I would be using a machine like this to surface grind steel and to tapper the steel flat stock. Right now I use a 1/4? HP 4x36 table top grinder. Slow belt speed and it takes hours to grind a 15" piece of steel down 1/8".
+Digs Fossils-n-Knives I would say they are basically the same machine, just with different colors. Most of these machines are made these days in the same factories with different finishing touches. While it's certainly not a surface grinder I think it will do better than your current setup. I'm not sure of the dynamics involved in what you're doing and how they are with this machine though, definitely get some advice on the right setup from other knife makers. It is designed for woodworking and some finish on metal work but not necessarily a grinder or a machine that will precisely remove large amounts of steel.
Thanks for making this. In your opinion, is there any reason I wouldn't be able to use/mount this unit on a stout bench instead of using the included base unit? Thanks!
Josh Owen you probably could, but it's a rather heavy and large upper assembly. Any reason why you want to do this? The machine is also not bench height so it may not be a comfortable working height depending on what your setup is.
briancnc. Thanks for the reply. I have two large 10 ft benches up against a wall with my mitre saw flush in between them. This set up takes entire length of the wall and one end of this bench is really my only option for a space to fit this in my shop. This location would also allow me to open the garage door and escaped dust not picked up by my cyclone would shoot out that direction. Ive got extra bench space but no floor space. Looks like setting it up this way would add 10 1/4 inches to the table height for me. My combo sander (and spindle sander too) that this would replace is at this height and it hasnt been an issue.
Got it, you could definitely through-bolt this to a sturdy bench and relocate the switch to a plastic junction box or flush mount it in your bench. The machine has (4) bolts that hold the upper assembly to the base.
briancnc , it looks like the switch box is not part of the base? Or does it hang down into it on the inside? Thanks. Gonna order one this Friday with Jet sale. Looks like they are on 2 month back order. Ill let you know how it works out.
In my opinion yes, and considering the fact that many of the bench top ones are priced at just below this ($700~ range) it makes a larger floor standing machine the better buy. I am not a fan of disc sanders but each to their own. They are just too limited and offer such a small surface area. For a general approach a large and wide belt area makes the best practical sense. Having a larger belt also means less belt changes.
Not sure if it's sold anymore but all the major sites rockler, woodcraft and amazon sell them (universal mobile bases). You buy 2x2's at home depot and then cut them to size with the hardware and brackets/caster. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223CL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sadly, the way of the world. I just looked up a Jet drill press I bought on Amazon for $510 in 2009, with free freight to boot! It's now $1500. JET really upped their pricing over the years, they used to be more in line with Grizzly price wise. Thanks for watching!
Man, I was going to go TODAY and buy the little $229 Harbor Freight oscillating edge sander after I was at a guy’s shop who has this model and recommended it heartily. I decided I didn’t need anything that big. Then I watched this video... then I showed this video to my wife and she gave me the go ahead to order one.
Dude, you convinced my WIFE... that’s a effective pitch...
Crack that whip Wifey poo Yes dear right away dear
this is a great review. I like that you explained what you disliked about it and what you liked. I was thinking about upgrading my belt / disk sander but now I am rethinking my options. Thanks!
great video only problem was had to watch to end to see what I needed to know . I just bought one got it today and was trying to get the sander to come up new ones have a on the nob to unlock and lock long story short I noticed you had to put a little force to move lever to move the table up and down . was afraid to push or pull to hard on the nob so now ill go push a little harder . instructions are so so on this
Very professional and concise review that gives a fair, balanced view of the pros and cons. Well done!
Thank you!
A lift table such as the VEVOR Lab Jack 8 X 8 Inch, Lab Jack Stand 88LB Load Capacity works great for adjusting the table height.
Nice review.
I’m looking at the Baileigh as at age 66 i want the spring assisted table lift
Thank you very much for the time and effort it took to make this great review.
Glad it was helpful!
Unloosen? Don't you mean loosen? 6:56
I find I only need to loosen the cover to replace the belt. I use a belt dresser a lot. Belts last enormously longer.
Thanks for the video, just picked one of these up used and needed an overview.
For raising the table, you might try placing either a small screw jack or hydraulic jack to help move the table up and let gravity help move it down.
You stole my idea. Great minds think alike. Ha Ha.
How do I make belt ridget
Great review. One thing I would note is that you mentioned if there was an option to make the table raise with a lead screw or some other mechanism, you probably would not have paid the extra money. Watching videos for other machines that do have this feature e.g. Hammer, this is one of the things the reviewers tend to rave about...their point being that the ability to easily adjust the table means that they get a lot more use out of their belts as they can, in seconds, raise or lower the table. This really just goes to show that different folks want different things out of their equipment and, thankfully, we live in a country where there are a very decent number of choices to fit most people's wallets.
Larry, thanks for watching and well said. Over the years I've come acostomed to not having a handcrank and it's not as big of a deal as I may have made it seem, just seemed like an afterthought at the time. But as you said companies engineer for a price point.
I’ve been using a festool palm sander with the edge attachment…does the oscillation feature on this eliminate the fine scratch marks that a regular belt sander leaves on board edges?
It does a pretty good job at providing a cleanly sanded edge. It leaves a linear grain sanding that you can hit with a sander after but nothing quite comes close to a machine like this for sanding things like doors and panels, getting a clean and precise 90 degree edge with no deviations.
Thanks for the review Brian.. Do you ever use the fence that comes with it ? I can't really figure a use for it.
I think it is a fence to be used when you lay the belt in the flat position.
Great review! I recently purchased a Grizzly G1140, similar to what you have but doesn’t oscillate. Any chance you will make a video of all the ways you use it in your shop?
Thank you Brian. I could do another video sure, any particular thing your interested in? I use it for just about all sanding, fitting cabinet doors, sanding templates or edges of signs, all kinds of things.
Thanks Brian, very good and valuable review.
Thank you!
BrianCNC i bought the same machine, based on your review. I use it alot now. Only downside i find is removing the backcover/replacing belts. Maybe diy something, where it slots in with magnets :)
Hi Brian, you were mentioning higher quality versions of this kind of tool, what brands exist that are higher quality but have these features and are perhaps US or European built? Thanks for your help!
US built is tough, there are very few floor standing machines made here anymore, and no brands that I can think of at the moment. The higher end ones I mentioned are your typical euro brands like SCMI, but you're going to put out a lot more money for just these. The edge sander hasn't really changed much in the past fifty year so it's not a tool I would spend much money on more than the Jet when buying new. The bells and whistles in wide belt sanders and the like are where you really can get some fancy features spending more money.
Delta has a very similar model and for a very similar cost. Which would you recommend between Delta and Jet? I can provide you a link if you wish.
sure, please send me the model/link
www.amazon.com/Delta-31-482-Oscillating-Edge-Sander/dp/B00812RFRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456061557&sr=8-1&keywords=DELTA+31-482+6+X+89+IN.+OSCILLATING+EDGE+SANDER
+Digs Fossils-n-Knives FYI: For my needs, I would be using a machine like this to surface grind steel and to tapper the steel flat stock. Right now I use a 1/4? HP 4x36 table top grinder. Slow belt speed and it takes hours to grind a 15" piece of steel down 1/8".
+Digs Fossils-n-Knives I would say they are basically the same machine, just with different colors. Most of these machines are made these days in the same factories with different finishing touches. While it's certainly not a surface grinder I think it will do better than your current setup. I'm not sure of the dynamics involved in what you're doing and how they are with this machine though, definitely get some advice on the right setup from other knife makers. It is designed for woodworking and some finish on metal work but not necessarily a grinder or a machine that will precisely remove large amounts of steel.
Excellent advice. Thank a lot!
And great review of the Jet!
Thanks for making this. In your opinion, is there any reason I wouldn't be able to use/mount this unit on a stout bench instead of using the included base unit? Thanks!
Josh Owen you probably could, but it's a rather heavy and large upper assembly. Any reason why you want to do this? The machine is also not bench height so it may not be a comfortable working height depending on what your setup is.
briancnc. Thanks for the reply. I have two large 10 ft benches up against a wall with my mitre saw flush in between them. This set up takes entire length of the wall and one end of this bench is really my only option for a space to fit this in my shop. This location would also allow me to open the garage door and escaped dust not picked up by my cyclone would shoot out that direction. Ive got extra bench space but no floor space. Looks like setting it up this way would add 10 1/4 inches to the table height for me. My combo sander (and spindle sander too) that this would replace is at this height and it hasnt been an issue.
Got it, you could definitely through-bolt this to a sturdy bench and relocate the switch to a plastic junction box or flush mount it in your bench. The machine has (4) bolts that hold the upper assembly to the base.
briancnc , it looks like the switch box is not part of the base? Or does it hang down into it on the inside? Thanks. Gonna order one this Friday with Jet sale. Looks like they are on 2 month back order. Ill let you know how it works out.
Is this a better option than a disc belt sander for a hobbyist? I'm torn between this and the jet 12 disc and 6 belt. Any opinions?
In my opinion yes, and considering the fact that many of the bench top ones are priced at just below this ($700~ range) it makes a larger floor standing machine the better buy. I am not a fan of disc sanders but each to their own. They are just too limited and offer such a small surface area. For a general approach a large and wide belt area makes the best practical sense. Having a larger belt also means less belt changes.
Thanks.
Thanks I think this is what i need design wise. Great review!!
Thank you!
What kind of mobile base is that in the video?
Not sure if it's sold anymore but all the major sites rockler, woodcraft and amazon sell them (universal mobile bases). You buy 2x2's at home depot and then cut them to size with the hardware and brackets/caster.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223CL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nice review. My local woodcraft is going to have this model on sale in a couple weeks, thinking about picking it up...
+OregonTrailR Thank you! You will like the machine, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for a useful video. Sadly, the price has increased at least 50% since you did this review.
Sadly, the way of the world. I just looked up a Jet drill press I bought on Amazon for $510 in 2009, with free freight to boot! It's now $1500. JET really upped their pricing over the years, they used to be more in line with Grizzly price wise. Thanks for watching!
Good review. Thanks
Great review!
Thanks Marty!
Great video!
Great review.
Thank you!
Good review
Thank you Mark!
I made a fence for mine
Grinding metal and throwing sparks into your wood sander…. You’re asking for trouble, my friend.
8 yrs later still kicking. I don't run my dust collector when I'm grinding something