New Toys..ummm, Tools!

Bradford · January 20, 2012, 07:00:00 PM

So finally spent my christmas money...

and

Love the rigid oscillating spindle/belt sander... that things works awesome. Don't know how I lived with out this long.

And the small belt sander is a Craftsman 909 online only. It uses 2 1/2 x 16 belts.. so it is easy to hang on to and fits in small spots. It works great for free forming the handled.

Any good tricks or ideas for the rigid would be appreciated it... I want to get the most out of this tool.

Bow building back on baby!

PEARL DRUMS · January 20, 2012, 07:34:00 PM

I love that sander. Its on my VERY short list. I was talking to my buddys about them last weekend during a bow building party. It was unanimous, I need one!

Furtaker · January 20, 2012, 08:48:00 PM

Only thing I could tell you about the Ridged sander is to get the blue zirconia belts for it and to make sure the table stays square with the belt. Mine seams to work its way out of wack once in awhile .

KellyG · January 20, 2012, 09:56:00 PM

Man we are missing you in the swap this year Bradford.

Looks like that is going to be a great looking take down.

soopernate · January 20, 2012, 10:05:00 PM

I LOVE my Ridgid (try saying that ten times without at least gigglin a little)

SportHunter · January 20, 2012, 10:27:00 PM

That's on my to buy list as well, merry xmas indeed.

mwosborn · January 20, 2012, 11:08:00 PM

Yep I got one last summer and love it. Be sure to jump the hoops of getting the lifetime warranty - you have to get on the website and send some stuff in and they send you a "number" to use if you have a break down. Can't lose the number or you lose your warranty.

Bradford · January 21, 2012, 01:18:00 AM

For those of you that is thinking of buying one......worth it. Yeah kelly, i wanted too, but just was not sure i could finish in time with life going on, so next year. Thanks for the kudos on the handle. I will post a build along when close to done.

SEMO_HUNTER · January 21, 2012, 07:37:00 AM

If you don't mind me asking Bradford, what did that Rigid spindle/belt sander set ya back? I need one of those myself, but more important things get in the way. I also need a better band saw.

JJB · January 21, 2012, 07:44:00 AM

Merry Christmas! Both of those would be very handy.
-Jay

Steve Kendrot · January 21, 2012, 08:06:00 AM

Mine was $200 or so. Maybe $179 on sale. Look it up on home depot site.

Pac'em out · January 21, 2012, 08:31:00 AM

I asked for one for Christmas, but didn't get it. Oh well, guess I'll just have to go buy one myself!

Bradford · January 21, 2012, 10:48:00 AM

Yep... 199 at the depot. I found them on Amazon for 150, but by the time shipping was added I figured I pay the extra 20 and get it now.

Keep an eye on craigslist as well. I did find a guy selling one for 80 bucks, but it was way out of the way for me.. so I passed.

Just amazed at how much you can do with it. It runs so quite as well.

I picked up my craftsman 12" band saw for 50 bucks at a yard sale a couple of years back.. still runs great.

I would say 79% of my tools I bought well below value used and they all still work great. But sometimes need or want make me buy them new. I am not disappointing buying the rigid new. Last spring I picked up a crafts man 18/32 drum sander for 400 bucks... love that tool as well.

razorback · January 21, 2012, 03:46:00 PM

QuoteI LOVE my Ridgid (try saying that ten times without at least gigglin a little)

Nate, lmao. I think you been having a few of you special beers. I got to 5 and started getting weird looks from the wife and kids.

D · January 21, 2012, 10:34:00 PM

My Dad got a ridgid sander from a pawn shop before I started building bows or even working with wood and he didn't either. I laughed at him and asked him what in the crap he was going to use that for. When I got into building I "borrowed" it.lololol I swear I use it almost every day. They only thing is it didn't come with the spindles or attatchments. But I still love it, it makes life so much easier.

Bradford · January 22, 2012, 11:05:00 AM

Looks like I need to take mine back today. Seems the motor is staling before take off. Once it gets turning works fine, but sometime can take up to 5 minutes before working. So down to home depot this morning.

fujimo · January 22, 2012, 01:23:00 PM

sounds like the capacitor, spin the belt in the right direction, then flip the switch.
the cap. only does the start up.
dangerous stuff- but obviously change it out- its still new.
just a tip on how to keep those old tools running- where i come from- its all old tools- i have an old bench grinder that needs a crank to get going.

Bradford · January 22, 2012, 01:43:00 PM

It was only 2 days old... just took it back to home depot and they gave me a new one.. this one works fine.

Yeah, if I gave it a little help it would get going, but I figure for 200 bucks and 2 days old I should not have to do that.

All is well with the world again...LOL

SportHunter · January 22, 2012, 01:48:00 PM

Good to hear it worked out. Too bad quality long lasting tools cost a fortune these days and we're mostly left with a meager choice of imported tools to gamble our money on and hope for durablilty.

fujimo · January 22, 2012, 02:37:00 PM

darn right bradford- at least they have a good policy.