I bought a Wen at HD for $98; it's now $105.  Seems to have a larger motor than what HF listed, but other than that they look functionally identical.  I've used mine for about 20 hours run time, and it's done just fine.

I had the Delta BOSS for many years before the Ridgid came out. It was a good spindle sander. I made some wedges to position the work on the tilt, that worked fairly good. But now have a Ridgid and love it and the belt attachment, along with the tilting table. I think I use it on every project. If it went out , I would definitely buy another.

Herb

I looked at the videos and was impressed with this Rigid.  I very much like the belt sander access to the end rollers. My belt sander is really old and I was going to get a new one. Now I am, but I am also getting a oscillating spindle sander too.

 

Picked up the Rigid today, go it set up and I really like it. 

 

Thanks for all the info

 

Way to go Ron . It will definitely Give you the results you need.

I bought the rigid several years ago, it's a great little machine. I don't use it everyday but I have used it a lot. Very versatile!

Steve

Good deal Ron.  I know you will enjoy it.

My biggest problem is space. I managed to squeeze it in by eliminating other things and giving others away.

I couldn't find an adapter for the vac hose, even a kit from HD wouldn't work. So I turned my own on my mini and it works just fine. 

Ron, you'll love it. 

A couple tips. Only use the the right side belt roller. Always check the aux table for alignment. 

A machinist made me a 2" extension for the spindle. I was doing some 5" thick bandsaw boxes and needed it. Now I find lots of uses for the extra length.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Ron, you'll love it. 

A couple tips. Only use the the right side belt roller. Always check the aux table for alignment. 

A machinist made me a 2" extension for the spindle. I was doing some 5" thick bandsaw boxes and needed it. Now I find lots of uses for the extra length.

 

That is interesting ,Gene. You must have bought a longer Drum?

How did you remove the original spindle? I assume you must have to replace the original when you install the belt sander attachment?

Herb

28 minutes ago, Dadio said:

 

That is interesting ,Gene. You must have bought a longer Drum?

How did you remove the original spindle? I assume you must have to replace the original when you install the belt sander attachment?

Herb

Yeah, bought longer rubber drums and sanding drums. Got them online, but I don't remember where. 

The extension just screws on to the original spindle. It's removed for belt sanding.