Jet JDS-12B
DavidL said:
I am looking at buying a 12" Disc Sander or Combo 12" Disc - 6" Belt sander to use in segmented work but, on most of the units i have looked at the disc does not spin true. Can anyone give me a recommendation for or experiences with specific machines.
Thanks,
Dave
Dave:
I have looked around at the available tools on the market - I already own a 6"x48" belt - 9" disk sander (Jet) which works OK for segments, but the disk size is a bit small - for other woodworking it performs very well. The belt will only be marginally useful for segmented work, at least in my experience.
When I can gather the needed cash from additional sales on turned items, my next equipment purchase will be the Jet JDS-12B 1 HP 12" disk sander with integral dust collection. It's nearly $ 315, (now on sale for about $ 311 at amazon.com - Acme Tools) but when compared to the current run of the Delta 12" benchtop sander and other similar units from Rigid, etc., in my opinion, and that of several others I've read, the Jet stands head and shoulders above all others in this price class, unless you want to graduate to the next level of sanders which start at around $600 and progress to over $ 1,000. The Jet will cost you a bit more $$ than for the other units but at 100 pounds, the cast iron is a big plus; I've heard that the disks run pretty true as well.
I'm looking forward to adding this machine to my shop, but an unexpected need of a chainsaw replacement (due to a dead McCulloch) pushed about $ 550 into the Stihl corporation and intermediaries about two weeks ago. The segments in need of sanding around here will need to wait a bit longer....
Good luck with your decision,
Rob Wallace