Disc sander recommendations

[Hax Planx]

I'd like to get a sander for some rough and ready operations like shortening tenons, leveling table legs, crude roundovers, etc. Grizzly has a 12" disc sander that I can get delivered for $135 and I saw a Delta at Rockler for $170. I've also heard of there being an attachment for a table saw, but I've never seen one. I suppose a belt sander would be nice too, but I have serious doubts about how much I would really use it. Any opinions, experience or idle conjecture appreciated.

[Lew Hodgett]

I had a spare motor and some plywood, so built a 12" disk sander as shown in Fred Bingham's book, "Practical Yacht Joinery".

If you had to buy a motor, switch, plywood, disc plate, etc to make one, $150 for an off the shelf unit starts looking pretty good.

As a boat builder, I'd be lost without one.

YMMV.

Have fun shopping.

Lew

[George]

They're as good as their table. If you have a tinny table on stamped arcs, you've nothing but frustration for your effort. Started cheap, bought twice, myself. Wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 12 with cast and miter gage.

The attachment for the tablesaw is just a disc in place of your blade. PITA for a trim here and there.

[Max]

I wouldn't trade my Delta SA180 for anything else I've seen. Reasonably portable, strong, dust port.

Max D.

[Hax Planx]

Do you find you use the 1" belt sander much? Seems like it would be best for detailing into corners.

[Max]

I do quite a bit of this style of furniture:

[e-mail]/album?.dir=45b2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.sbc.yahoo.com/ph//my_photosThe belt sander is *very* handy for the corners.

Max D.

[Lew Hodgett]

A 1" belt sander is very handy for sharpening things like rough work chisels, scissors, drill bits, etc; however, I like it best as a stand alone tool, not as part of a disk sander combo.

Lew