Shopsmith's Oscillating Sander

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:18 pm

I never hear much about the oscillating sander and was wondering if anyone had one. Any recommendations or reviews? Thanks in advance.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:33 pm

I don't have one yet, but I think "reible" (who is still active on ssug.org) may have one and had mentioned liking it (?).

fixit · Post by **fixit** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:28 pm

I have one and it works well. The only complaint I have is you should have a considerable amount of sanding to do because of the time it takes to set up. Since I don't use it a lot I am obviously not very fast at setting up this tool - but then I'm not real fast at setting up ANY of the SPTs.

It is a real nice accessory when sanding curved surfaces to a line such as rockers for rocking horses or chairs since the paper doesn't load up as fast as when using the drum sander alone on the quill.

Regards,

kd6vpe · Post by **kd6vpe** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:54 pm

I just bought it on the sale. Got it last week. I have been using it today to sand down a templete for rocking horses. It works really good. Set up does take a little time but I have learned that by taking my time in everything I do on my shopsmith returns great results so why worry about set up time. I mean it is just a hobby to me. I'll try to show it in use on a video of the rocking horse once I get done with the twisted candle holder video. Having fun making sawdust.

audir10 · Post by **audir10** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:29 pm

I've had one for a number of years and find it does a good job. It replaced a Sears bench top unit that got damaged and takes up little space. It takes a little while to set up but does return great results and was cheaper at the time than repacing the bench top unit with another of the same type. Is well worth the money in my view.

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SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:58 pm

Thanks to all who responded. I have a Rigid oscillating belt sander that converts to an oscillating drum sander that may be near the end of its life cycle. I have looked at the Shopsmith oscillating sander and wondered if it was "Rube Goldberg" type setup or if it was an effective tool. Again, thanks.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:18 pm

Here I was hoping the reviews would not be so positive.

Now I have another item to add to my wish list!:D

John

doug45601 · Post by **doug45601** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:45 pm

I know this post is a few months old but I just had to post my opnion since I just purchased one. Mine was a replacement for the Delta Table top Oscillating "spindle" drum sander that ate too much saw dust before it went south.

As others have mentioned, it takes a little time to set it up... The first time.. Once you get the hang of it, setup is every bit of 4-5 minutes including changing out the insert. I set mine up with the SS still in the horizonal position.

I am quite satisfied with the tool and the results it provides. It's nice to have the oscillations along with speed control at the same time. Also quicker changes to drum sizes over the Delta table top.

Only draw back was the fact that the table insert with changable drum inserts wasn't included. Easy to overcome by building your own as shown in the SS book.

I was hesitent to buy this thing as I didn't think I would get much use of it but now that I have it, don't know why I put it off. Most importantly, I'm not burning up the wood or wasting sanding drums.

I build alot of shadow boxes and things that have lots of french curves so this thing is right up my alley..

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:00 pm

Hi,

My original post/review is at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=629

Have a look see if you like.

Ed