Oscillating Spindle/Bobbin Sander...

[Calpol]

Anybody have one? There seems to be quite a range in prices for the bench toppers. Are they any different though, normally If I'm going to spend a couple of hundred on something I just go the full hog and get the best one...

Anyhoo, prices as per eBay:

SIP £150
Charnwood £190
Draper £200
Sealey £200
Jet £300

 

[neilc]

I got the SIP which I'm very happy with. Can't speak for the others in your list.
Neil

 

[Mike.C]

I have the Jet JBOS-5, which I bought from Axminster and it is an excellent machine.

There are clones but I have no idea how good they are. Looking at a couple of them there does not seem to be much difference except the huge price reduction.

Cheers

Mike

 

[OPJ]

In a group test review in Good Woodworking last year, I recall the Jet machine came out on top. Although, if that's just a little too far over your budget then, out of all the other 'clones', the SiP was reccomended as the best in terms of value for money over the Draper, Charnwood, etc.

 

[Argee]

I went for the Jet because it was quieter and sounded far smoother than the competition, plus I'd already got a fair bit of Jet equipment and liked the quality.

The only "fault" I found with this type of sander is that - although you can invert the loading and get use out of the top and bottom of it, generally speaking the middle escapes use. I solved that with a removeable "table" which allows me to get at all of the loading. The slot is for an adjustable radius pin so that I can sand circles

Ray

 

[Paul.J]

I had a Delta BOSS but only used it once.Seemed a good machine.
Great idea Ray
Paul.J.

 

[Mike.C]

Thats the one I have Ray, without the table. You are right about not all of the sleeve being used, and so the table is ideal. I hope you do not mind me nicking your idea :lol:

Cheers

Mike

 

[tim]

I have the Jet. Its fine but also frankly one of the least used pieces of kit in the workshop. When it is needed there is nothing else to replace it but for the rest of the time I resent it taking up space.

Cheers

Tim

 

[Pete Robinson]

Check this out!!

www.aktivetools.com/sip-bench-bobbin-sa ... -132-p.asp

This is the SIP machine and has a larger table than most in its class, and at £147.50 including VAT and Delivery its a bargain!! (this offer ends on the 29th Feb!!)

In fact this will probably be my next purchase!!

Pete

 

[dunbarhamlin]

Though I prefer running without electricity, I wouldn't be without my Jet. Superb for compound curves. It's only weakness is the poor strength of the table tilt lock.
The only thing better would be a model with switchable oscillation - so it could better be used for pattern sanding.

 

[white_sw]

I can also recommend the Jet. This was my bargin last year. Purchased a second hand Planner/Jointer from somebody on eBay, went to collect it and saw the Jet in a corner. Cheekly I asked if they were selling that too, and I got it for £50. Couldn't get the grin off my face all the way home.

 

[BradNaylor]

I have to confess to having the Charnwood version. It's pretty crappy as you'd expect but OK for the limited amount of use it gets.

The only problem is that I find the motor very quickly gets clogged up with dust even with extraction and I have to clean it out with an airline regularly. Is this a problem with other models?

I like the look of Ray's Jet set-up!

Dan

 

[Calpol]

Thanks people, think I might just go for the Jet then. I use the one at college all the time so seems a good investment anyway!