Comparing these sanders?

[Chaznsc]

I am looking at two HF stationary sanders for metal work. Cleaning up cut tube, adjusting cut lengths evenly, etc. HF has 2 units that I would like some feedback on in terms of the motors and RPM.

The belt / disc turns at over 3000rpm, while the lone disc turns at less than 2000rpm. WHY is that and WHAT difference would the user witness?

Thanks
PS - this isn't a HF comparison / bashing thread, just trying to understand the sanders as mentioned above.

 

[ilovevocs]

I had a chi-com combo unit and when I got the disk sander you posted gave the combo to my brother.

I don't see a need for belt sander unless I can use it slack belt or with a soft faced wheel.

Flat platen just seems like a waste; the disk accomplished the same tasks with less space.

My next upgrade will likely be a belt sanding attachment for my bench grinder.

 

[yaidunno]

The difference in RPM is due to the difference in diameter of the wheels. The larger one can spin slower to achieve the "same" SFPM. RPM alone is irreverent, what your after is the appropriate SFPM of the wheel or belt. Having used the green combo unit, I can say with confidence that it is utter garbage. I would not recommend it even for home/hobby use. I realize that I'm not one for Chinese tools, but that unit is nothing more than an exercise in frustration. Do yourself the favor, and avoid the headache.

The disc sander may be acceptable, depending on the diameter, RPM and actual HP of the motor. I'm sure somebody here has one, or has used one and can provide appropriate feed back.

 

[DBendr]

One is a 1725 motor. The other is 3450.
The combo is a *************. That disc is nice for the money. Plenty of power.

 

[Ainsley]

I'd suggest looking at a belt grinder. A quality one won't be in the same price range as those but it will be much more versatile.
I have a 1x42 Veil grinder but I'd love a 2x72 kalamazoo or better.

 

[pepi]

Basically working with metal you would want the faster speeds, the slower speeds tend to be better or friendlier to wood work, will not burn the wood.

That said I have been known to use a wood speed sander for my metal work, just change the abrasive. 1 or 2 inch faced belts are usually used for knife sharpening. There are some good belt/disk sanders, would suggest that the disk side be no less than 10 inch.

All in all a sander can be adapted to your needs just by changing the abrasive. The thing to take note of would be the tool or part rest, you would want it beefy, so the angles sanded stay true.

Sanders unless they are a profile type are versatile and both of the examples pictured will get the job done. That was not a plug for HF, I don't buy the ****, just talking about the configurations.

 

[zkling]

That disc sander is nice for the money. As mentioned, it is to keep the linear cutting speed sfpm up. Also, with the disc sander being directly driven, you are at motor shaft speed. The combo unit is belt driven and probably runs at sub 3k. Additionally, designing and balancing a disc to run faster becomes a danger liability for the manufacturer, compared to the tiny % of people that would actually benefit from that.

Burrking put out a good article about this.

 

[tarbellb]

Zkling- link to said article? Thanks.

I just bought the 12" HF disc sander. As others have mentioned, great for the money, honestly dont understand spending double on a JET, Delta, etc...

I did also have the exact same configuration but Sears/Craftsman combo sander. Bought it on CL for <$100 and it was great. They can still be found pretty easily, the older the better.

For what you are trying to do, and likely on a budget the 12" disc makes the most sense. If you can afford it, grab a quality combo, Grizzly makes a nice unit.

 

[gungatim]

I had a chi-com combo unit and when I got the disk sander you posted gave the combo to my brother.

I don't see a need for belt sander unless I can use it slack belt or with a soft faced wheel.

Flat platen just seems like a waste; the disk accomplished the same tasks with less space.

My next upgrade will likely be a belt sanding attachment for my bench grinder.

I'm just the opposite, probably use the belt 3x more than the disc for the kind of stuff I do. often sharpening things, flattening things, cleaning up edges, etc. not that I don't use the disc, but with metal you end up trashing the disc way more often than the belt, and gluing discs on is a PITA, but either way my vote is for the disc/belt combo...

 

[zkling]

Zkling- link to said article? Thanks.

http://www.burrking.com/news/articl...y-combination-sanders-dont-spark-our-interest

You're welcome.

If you want a further explanation, you will need to research and understand the mechanics and structural issues of a rotating disc.

 

[yaidunno]

Zkling- link to said article? Thanks.

I just bought the 12" HF disc sander. As others have mentioned, great for the money, honestly dont understand spending double on a JET, Delta, etc...

I did also have the exact same configuration but Sears/Craftsman combo sander. Bought it on CL for <$100 and it was great. They can still be found pretty easily, the older the better.

For what you are trying to do, and likely on a budget the 12" disc makes the most sense. If you can afford it, grab a quality combo, Grizzly makes a nice unit.

People chose to spend more money on a Jet, Delta, Burrking etc because they require a higher quality product that will last longer, be more rigid, and offer factory support. The HF disc might be suitable for light home use, but it has no place in a production environment, or even for someone who takes their home metal fab seriously. It is indeed a good value, I don't think anyone can dispute that. One simply has to determine what their needs and budget allow, and buy whats fits.

 

[Garage Junky]

Was hoping for a comparison between Bernie and the Colonel.