Strip Sander desireablility

cwankeny · Post by **cwankeny** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:13 am

I own an older Mark IIV (my second) with a self-modified three bearing quill and use it regularly along with the jointer, belt sander and bandsaw attachments. I've been thinking about getting a strip sander to use for tool grinding and smalller sanding tasks but I would like to know what others think about the tool and how useful it really is. What should I expect to pay for a good used strip sander?? I've seen them on ebay for anywhere from 150 - 200 before shipping and also on CL for 50 - 100 but never if great condition.

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:50 am

cwankeny wrote:I own an older Mark IIV (my second) with a self-modified three bearing quill and use it regularly along with the jointer, belt sander and bandsaw attachments. I've been thinking about getting a strip sander to use for tool grinding and smalller sanding tasks but I would like to know what others think about the tool and how useful it really is. What should I expect to pay for a good used strip sander?? I've seen them on ebay for anywhere from 150 - 200 before shipping and also on CL for 50 - 100 but never if great condition.

I think your craigslist figures are in the ballpark. I would lean toward $150+ on FEEbay. I think $200 is too high for a used strip sander on FEEbay though people will pay that much. When they are on sale you could pick one up new from Shopsmith for about the same money. Patience and persistence is the name of the game. I enjoy using mine with the sharpening attachment. Good luck.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:52 am

1) What is an 'older mark IIV'? (that translates to a Mark III!)

2) There were at least 2 on E-bay(one I purchased, and another I sold). Both had all three platens(sellers tend to not know there s/b three(or just not have them). I agree most look less than pristine! The ranges you mentioned are reasonable. Your intended purposes also seem to be reasonable expectations. If you are leery of used ones, wait for a ss sale.

Be advised, for serious heavy duty sanding, the 6x48 is a much more capable tool.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:07 pm

I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a new strip sander (sale price around $199) when one came up on Craigslist for sale with the older style Jig saw for $50.

As one of the others said. If looking for used make sure they include the 3 platens. A set of new is around $50 so if you find one for around $100 but have to buy the platens, that would kill the deal. As far as the other parts go they seem to be priced very reasonable. So if it needs a tuneup it should not be too costly.
I use a sander A lot. What I like about the Shopsmith is the variable speed. I am able to shape wood parts by hand without the fear of the sander ripping the part out of my hand. Other brand sanders has a belt speed way too fast IMHO.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:22 pm

I always wish I could look over the shoulder of someone who successfully uses the strip sander for sharpening. I purchased one brand spanking New on a shopsmith special. I was rather disappointed in my efforts to use it for sharpening and went back to using a grinder and sometimes other options. Every time I look at the strip sander I promise myself to find another use for it. I have two 6" belt Sanders and use both almost daily.

A tip of the hat to those of you who are more accomplished at sharpening than I am. Jim

cv3 · Post by **cv3** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:30 pm

I also strip sander used for sharpening and like (fjimp) I was never real happy with it . I sold it to a friend that makes doll houses. For what in do there is just not much use for one.

henecle · Post by **henecle** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:45 pm

I just received my new stripsander and chisel sharpener from SS before Xmas (ordered 11/7/09 so almost two months on BO). It's great and I use it as a permanent sharpening station on my 510 while I am turning. Grinding new bevels through honing/compounding with a leather belt (Lee Valley & Veritas) it works great!

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:56 pm

[quote="henecle"]I just received my new stripsander and chisel sharpener from SS before Xmas (ordered 11/7/09 so almost two months on BO). It's great and I use it as a permanent sharpening station on my 510 while I am turning. Grinding new bevels through honing/compounding with a leather belt (Lee Valley & Veritas) it works great! ]

Wow I wonder if I could wrangle an opportunity visit Leif and watch him sharpen on the Strip Sander. As hard is it may be to believe we are a mere 120 miles apart. Jim:D

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:00 pm

I just sharpened a Chef's knife for my son with my strip sander this afternoon, and within 5 minutes I had it shaving the hair off my arm. I've also done my lathe chisels with good results too.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:47 pm

My Strip Sander works wonderfully well for knife and scissor sharpening. Using the knife holder (shown by Nick in video tips - http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips_Archives/SST110_Sharpening_Knives.htm I prefer concave bevels on bench chisels so I use a grinding wheel, but the strip sander is super to put secondary bevels on bench chisels. Use of a leather stropping belt gives a super edge. I've even used the strop to polish up the flat backside of bench chisels.

Haven't yet tried out sharpening of lathe chisels or carving chisels, but based on my past experience, it will be a super tool for that use also.

I bought my leather belt from Shopsmith. it is a good belt and the rough side took polishing compound nicely.

The only bad experience with this machine was when it was used for inside sanding. The grit on the necessarily reversed sanding strip wore away one of my plastic idler wheels in no time at all.

Now I have 4 platens. The extra one is a half inch with the upper screw slot ground away to allow it to slide into 1/2" wide holes.