Bench sander again

[mpooley]

I'm still trying to make up my mind on which sander i want but i like one from axminster which has not got a disc sander.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... e=1&jump=0

My thought was why do i need a disc sander what do they do that you cant do on this type?

any reasons why i need a disc sander?

thanks

Mike

 

[engineer one]

i must say the picture is a bit confusing mike, but i wonder whether people use the disc because it is easier to get square edges as long as the table is flat and square to the face.

also they are not that much more when in a combination.

i wonder how often people actually use a fixed belt sander.

if you have a hand belt sander and a stand why another tool :?
surely trying that route would be more cost effective, and less space expensive.

paul :wink:

 

[mpooley]

i see what u mean about the picture but in its vertical position without the guards closed i cant see the difference between that and a disc sander in use

mike

 

[Martingchapman]

Mike,
I have this Axminster combined belt and disk sander;
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-AS408-Belt-and-Disc-Sander-21337.htm

I find I use the disk more than the belt. The disk is more aggressive than the belt and will remove material much quicker. I tend to use it mainly to round off corners of panels, this is easy with the disk as the panel stays flat on the table and you can easily sand to a line, keeping the edge perpendicular. It is also very useful for accurately fitting mitres, you can set the gauge to the required angle and gradually wear away a fraction of a mill at a time until you get a perfect fit. Both of these jobs are not really possible on the belt sander.

Best to think about how you intend to use the sander then try and imagine how you would do each job on the belt or the disk.

Hope this helps - Martin.

 

[engineer one]

thanks martin that kind of repeats my feelings.

although i have a belt sander in normal life i rarely use it, whereas the ro sander or even the detail sander, or my fein are often used.

i find it difficult to understand what use a fixed belt sander has.
i can see the value of one which is vertical along its short edge, but not
flat on its back???

the disk sander has too me much more value as martin says.

paul :wink:

 

[mpooley]

Thanks you have given me something to think about ,
The belt sander is good for sanding longer pieces along their length but as you say its difficult to visualise how many times i would need that.
I did have a cheapo before and did use it but i cant remember how much

Better to get the right tool than rush in

 

[engineer one]

unless you do production work, maybe like me you should learn to hand plane, :lol: :twisted:

make a longish shooting board like i am just doing :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[mpooley]

unless you do production work, maybe like me you should learn to hand plane, :lol: :twisted:

make a longish shooting board like i am just doing :roll:

paul :wink:

Ok I'm rubbish at hand planing but my hand tools are rubbish (thats my excuse!) but when i said longer bits i really meant short longer bits LOL
small lengths where you want a fraction off but they are too small to hold down easy to hand plane and too small to put through the thicknesser!

sounds like maybe i dont need a sander at all now!

I was so looking forward to buying a nice new tool lol
maybe i should treat myself to a nice clifton plane instead?

Mike