I see that Eagle America is selling a oscillating belt/spindle sander that looks a lot like the one ridgid sells at home depot. Same price as the ridgid one too. 

 

Wondering if it is the same?

Edited November 24, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

If it looks the same, it is Kelly, I have learned that over time. When I look through the Grizzly catalog, I see many of the same machines in that catalog I see elsewhere, just a different color. So it comes down to paint job most of the time, folks have to decided what color motif they want in their shop!

There is a new one making it's rounds now, Grizzly MLCS, Other brands,same tool.

From What I can see it is a sort of mirror image of the Ridgid. It has the  spindle on the right side (looking @ the Machine) and also the DC port on the Right instead of the back.

I have a Ridgid and if I had a choice for the same price I would go with the Ridgid. In the 3 years I have used mine extensively. never had a problem. Ridgid also has excellent CS  I have read for those who have had to use it.

That said Eagle American is a good company too and from what I have heard they also have good reputation.

I use mine a lot on every project, didn't know how useful they were til I got one,sure beats hand sanding and shaping edges.

Herb

The ridgid is in my sights for the next tool purchase. 

 

I thought I would tell others about this and get their take on what they see

19 minutes ago, Chips N Dust said:

The ridgid is in my sights for the next tool purchase. 

 

I thought I would tell others about this and get their take on what they see

I don't own any Rigid Kelly, not because of anything negative, but when I tooled up my own shop, Rigid wasn't really a color seen in the box stores at the time. That being said, it's good stuff, good retailers with a "return anything for any reason" policy.

The one you are looking at, is it the belt/spindle, or spindle only?

I don't own this tool, but I believe the Rigid has developed a very good reputation with those who own it.  For equal prices, I believe I'd opt for the Rigid which has a proven record.

The rigid has been a good tool for me. Saved me hours of sanding on my bandsaw boxes. Of course, if I could cut like Jesse, there wouldn't have been a need.

Some of my boxes are 6" to 7" thick. So, I had a machinist make an extension for the spindle. Worked like a charm.

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

I don't own any Rigid Kelly, not because of anything negative, but when I tooled up my own shop, Rigid wasn't really a color seen in the box stores at the time. That being said, it's good stuff, good retailers with a "return anything for any reason" policy.

The one you are looking at, is it the belt/spindle, or spindle only?

It is the belt/spindle combo. I have only heard good things about it

I don't have one (Rigid) in my sights, but the first time I need one it's what i will get.

I have the Rigid oscillating belt/spindle sanded and love it.  I have had it about 15 years now and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

The Rigid was one of the first machines I bought when we retired in 99 or close to that date. It is really good because of the belt and drums. But it only has short drums and I needed 9" drums on my jewelry boxes. So I went with the Grizzly. It does the job . I told Tony from Florida to come by and we would talk price for the Rigid, he never came so Kelly if you come by I will talk price with you. I don't like to sell anything unless the person comes and trys it out before they decide

Oh , thats the reason the jewelry boxes are a hair less than 9 inches deep, it and the 14" bandsaws capacity.

I have had the Rigid for a couple of years and love it. I don't know about the others but the Rigid has a lifetime warranty including the motor.

The Ridgid spindle/belt sander is one of the few tools that's nearly universally liked.  Money well spent IMO. 

,Picked up a used one at an estate sale over the weekend.   Can't wait to try it out.