Yep my Rigid oscillating belt sander bit the dust and doesnt work anymore.  So what does everyone reccommend for a replacement?  within reason I'm not building bows for a living.  I have been looking on craigs list and have a few prospects.  Names or models would be nice.  

thanks
Shawn

Shawn, check out the Rigid website...supposed to be a lifetime service warranty on them.

What broke on it?

I had to take the switch apart on mine as too much dust got in there and it would not start.

The switches on the Rigid, Grizzly and just about every other brand that uses the same style fail... some fail regularly.  I've replaced the switch on my drill press 3 times already.

Might just have dust in the switch, maybe you can blow dust out with your compressor?

Will give that a try.  I turn it on and the motor hums but it wont turn until I roll it with my hand then it works.  Now it wont do anything.  Just blows the breaker everytime.  

Shawn

that doesnt sound good, I had a dusted up switch one time, the tool just totally quit..  checked motor,bypassed switch and motor ran...then took switch apart, cleaned fine saw dust out of switch and it worked..your problem sounds more terminal. Hope its not. I bought a 4x132 sander last week from a guy just west of you near Middleburg. if you need it, I have a 6x48 Craftsman sander you can borrow..

doesn't sound like the switch... when I have a switch give me problems I just mount a blue plastic light switch bow on the tool and bypass the little lightweight switch with a regular light switch...never have another problem after that.  I just bought a little Grizzly oscillating spindle sander and like it...also have one of their 6 by 80 belt sanders but still use my old craftsman 6 by 48 the most...

Shawn, I sent you a message. Don

I had to replace my Rigid it did the same thing If you use a shop vac or dust collector it should prolong the life of the motor

I did get another Rigid.

Cobbow

Smetimes the commutator gets gummed up. If you feel comfortable getting into the motor just PM me and I can give you some things to try.

Dust is a mean enemy to belt sanders and their parts.  Two edge sword.
Don't even consider those Craftsman 4"X table tops models as they don't have what it takes to sand balsa wood.  I have two that were given to me and neither one is fit for a boat anchor. I've noticed that if I blow out the dust they will run freer for a little while.  Could by your bearings are getting fouled up.

If I cant get mine working again is this model grizzly worth the money?  Naturally we would all want a bigger one but I dont want to fork out the cheese for a 80 or 48 incher.  this one is lightweight enough to roll outside and not dust up the garage.  thanks

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combo-Sander-4-x-36-Belt-6-Disc/G0547

I think if my Rigid broke today, Id get the exact same thing again.they are hard to beat ....but i would still check out that warranty they have. Good luck Shawn