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Whether you are a professional or an amateur, a woodworking project from good to outstanding requires a little advantage-literally. Use one of the best spindle sanders to get smooth, even edges on woodworking projects.
Unlike bench sanders, these handy tools use a rotating cylindrical sanding drum (called a spindle) and a flat work surface to sand curved plates and joints to a consistent finish. Not only can they rotate the drum quickly and efficiently for sanding, but the best spindle sanders also swing up and down to alternate the sanding direction, eliminating the chance of grooves or scratches on the workpiece.
Please consider the following points when purchasing a spindle sanding machine. From the type of spindle sander to its size and speed, understanding how these tools work and their functions can help shoppers find the spindle sander that best suits their needs and workshop settings.
The three main styles of spindle sanders are desktop, floor-standing and portable. The three types work similarly, but the sizes and settings are different.
Also consider the size and weight of the spindle sander, especially if your workshop is smaller or requires more portability.
The material of the spindle sanding machine is very important. From the base to the work surface, some materials are more popular than others. Floor-mounted and bench-top spindle sanders are relatively safe tools, but they are easier to use if they stay in place by themselves. The base made of metal and dense plastic adds some extra weight to the tool. For portable models, the lighter the better, so a plastic case is usually preferred.
The work surface must be very smooth and flat, and the longer the time to avoid corrosion, the better. Aluminum and cast iron are good choices. A little wax on these two surfaces will keep them smooth and corrosion-free for years to come.
Spindle sanding machines have a variety of power ratings, which may make it confusing to choose the correct model. Think of these power ratings as:
Lightweight: These spindle sanders contain motors with a rated horsepower of ⅓ and below. They are very suitable for lightweight tasks such as crafts, picture frames and other small projects.
Medium-sized: For most projects, a medium-sized sander with ⅓ to 1 horsepower can complete the work. They can handle polished dense hardwoods and larger surfaces.
Heavy-duty: At 1 horsepower or more, the heavy-duty spindle sander is ideal for large projects. In addition, they can sand almost any wood imaginable.
A good spindle sanding machine can cover a large area. The maximum speed of some top models may reach 1,500 RPM, while the speed of other sanders can reach more than 3,000 RPM.
The best spindle sanders have adjustable speeds, making it easier to get perfect edges. Reducing the speed of hardwood helps reduce the risk of burn marks and sandpaper abrasion too quickly, while higher speeds can quickly remove large amounts of material from softer woods.
Additional safety and convenience features help make the best spindle sander stand out from the competition. Look for a spindle sander with an oversized switch, which is easy to find and hit in an emergency. To improve safety, many of these switches also have detachable keys.
Kits with multiple drum sizes not only provide additional convenience and versatility, but also make it easier to create perfect edges. Smaller drums are great for tight internal curves, while larger drums are easier to achieve softer curves.
Spindle sanding will produce a lot of sawdust, so please consider models with dust collection ports to help keep the work space clean.
When the spindle sanding machine is running, the motor will make a noticeable buzzing sound. Finer sandpaper, such as No. 150 grit, will not increase a lot of noise, but strong sandpaper like No. 80 grit will greatly increase noise.
When actively used, these tools can become very loud; in fact, they can be as loud (or loud) as a table saw, depending on the type of wood. Many variables affect the size of the spindle sander, so it is always recommended to wear ear protection.
With some background knowledge, choosing the best spindle sander for your workshop is not complicated. Keeping the above shopping considerations in mind, some of the best spindle sanders listed below should make this process a little easier.
Shop Fox’s oscillating spindle sander is ideal for woodworkers with small workshops or insufficient workbench space. This compact ½ horsepower model cast iron table weighs 34 pounds, so it is easy to store. The motor runs at a speed of 2,000 rpm, and the drum swings up and down 58 times per minute.
Shop Fox is equipped with six spindles: diameters of ¾, 1, 1½, 2 and 3 inches, and corresponding sandpaper. It also has a 1.5-inch dust collection port and an oversized switch with a removable key.
Woodworkers who want a little flexibility in a bench-top sander may need to consider WEN’s swing spindle sander. This ½ horsepower sander has a cast iron table weighing 33 pounds. The table can be tilted up to 45 degrees to create a clean, smooth slope at any angle.
This sander rotates at a speed of 2,000 RPM and swings 58 times per minute. It has five independent spindles, including ½, ¾, 1, 1½, and 2 inches. To facilitate cleaning, WEN is also equipped with a 1.5-inch dust-proof port, which can be connected to a workshop vacuum cleaner to reduce confusion.
WEN’s 5 amp portable swing spindle sander is both economical and functional. It is a compact portable sander with roughly the same size as an electric drill and can be easily brought directly into the workpiece. It has a stand for connecting it to the desktop, increasing its ability as a substitute for a desktop spindle sander.
This spindle sander has an adjustable speed between 1,800 and 3,200 RPM and an oscillation rate between 50 and 90 strokes per minute. It is equipped with three rubber shaft sizes, ¾, 1 and 1½ inches. The 1.5-inch dust collection port helps to collect some garbage and minimize cleanup work.
Woodworkers looking for a high-performance bench-top spindle sander may want to check out JET’s bench-top swing spindle sander. This ½ horsepower motor can handle all but the most arduous tasks. It generates a speed of 1,725 RPM, vibrates 30 times per minute, and strokes a full inch per stroke.
Although powerful, this desktop model is quite compact. However, its heavy cast iron construction means it weighs 77 pounds. Part of the weight is due to the 45-degree inclined table. Five spindle sizes, including ¼, ½, ⅝, 1½, and 2 inches, provide additional versatility. It also has a 2-inch dust port for easy cleaning and a detachable switch to prevent accidental activation.
Delta’s swing-spindle floor sander is a floor-standing model with a powerful 1 horsepower motor that can remove large amounts of material from dense hardwoods. It has a speed of 1,725 RPM and swings 71 times per minute, 1.5 inches each time. As expected, it has a large footprint, 24⅝ inches x 24½ inches wide and less than 30 inches high. Due to its cast iron structure, it is very heavy, weighing 374 pounds.
This spindle sanding machine uses a cast iron working surface with an inclination of up to 45 degrees. It is also equipped with 10 different spindle sizes, between ¼ inch and 4 inch, all of which can be stored on the machine. The fully enclosed base can reduce noise and vibration, while improving the dust collection effect.
EJWOX’s portable handheld swing spindle sander is a compact spindle sander with a speed adjustable between 1,800 and 3,200 RPM. It swings 50 to 90 times per minute, thereby prolonging the life of the sandpaper.
EJWOX can double as a desktop spindle sanding machine. By attaching the included bracket to the edge of the workbench, users can install EWJOX and use it as a lightweight desktop model. It also comes with four spindle sizes and a dust inlet and dust bag.
For light and medium-sized woodworking projects, Grizzly Industrial’s swing-spindle sander is worth a look. This ⅓ horsepower model has a constant speed of 1,725 RPM, which is a useful speed for various projects. The drum also swings up and down at a rate of 72 times per minute, which reduces the risk of grooves or scratches in the work.
This model weighs 35 pounds, which helps make it easy to use and store. It has an engineered wood workbench, which is equipped with six spindle sizes and 80 and 150 grit sandpaper. A 2½-inch dust collection port is connected to the existing dust collection system, and an oversized switch with a detachable key ensures safety.
Even with all these backgrounds and a crash course on some of the top products on the market, you may have some other questions about the spindle sander. The following is a collection of some of the most frequently asked questions about spindle sanders, so please check the answers to the questions below.
The swing spindle sander not only polishes the curves and edges by rotating the drum, but also polishes the curves and edges by moving the drum up and down when the drum rotates. This helps to extend the life of the sandpaper and reduce the risk of damaging the sandpaper.
Some models are loud. When using a spindle sander, it is always a good idea to wear earmuffs, goggles, and a dust mask.
The spindle sanding machine generates a lot of dust, so it is recommended to connect it to a vacuum or dust collection system.
Simply match the curve to the appropriate spindle, place the board flat on the work surface, and slide it onto the rotating drum to remove material.
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Post time: Aug-31-2021