Good things come to those who wait...

[bluesman2a]

Well now I'm glad I held off on that belt sander... It would seem that they have opened up a new HF near me, and now they have the model I've been eyeing for $200. Plus they have a 10% off coupon, so I can get it for $180! That's like 40% off!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40643

I know it's chi-com, but for the price difference between that and the next step up (in the 600-800 range, plus I gotta mess with truck-freight) I can't justify it for my hobby-shop... Plus I can deal with a local store, which I prefer in the event of "issues".

What belts/grit do you guys generally recommend for metal working?

[morpheus]

wow ... that's a pretty sweet price!

haven't seen any pics this week what are you up to ?

- jack

[bluesman2a]

Hehe... Been taking a break, haven't been into the shop since last weekend. When you got a long-term project you gotta pace yourself .

Never fear though, next up is the roll-cage, and I'm raring to go with the new welder.

[morpheus]

cool ... I know how long term projects go ... I'm so tired of my truck that I continually purposefully work on other things. <sigh>

I sure would like to go wheeling one of these days ...

- jack

[cope]

Another option

Check Grizzly's product line. I know several people who have had good luck with the products and service after the sale.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/items-list.cfm?key=500000&gid=6D378342-41F6-4FCC-9908-01398D9B32C2&site=grizzly

[Guest]

Re: Good things come to those who wait...

Originally posted by bluesman2a
Well now I'm glad I held off on that belt sander... It would seem that they have opened up a new HF near me, and now they have the model I've been eyeing for $200. Plus they have a 10% off coupon, so I can get it for $180! That's like 40% off!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40643

I know it's chi-com, but for the price difference between that and the next step up (in the 600-800 range, plus I gotta mess with truck-freight) I can't justify it for my hobby-shop... Plus I can deal with a local store, which I prefer in the event of "issues".

What belts/grit do you guys generally recommend for metal working?

The grits depend a lot on how and what you work on. If you want to remove metal fast, use a 36 grit...they last along time, too. As you get finer in grit they don't last as long. 60 grit is a good all around grit, then there's 80 and 120, for the real fine stuff.

[bluesman2a]

Re: Another option

Originally posted by cope
Check Grizzly's product line. I know several people who have had good luck with the products and service after the sale.

That's a good point, Cope... Checked them, MSC, Fastenal, and Enco. The only thing Grizzly had comparable was $250 delivered in 4-6 weeks. If I wanted to step up to the G1183 for $430 delivered, I'm sure I would be happy with it, but I can't justify over twice the price just yet. Maybe when I grow the shop next time...

[Franz]

Don't matter what you get, or how much it costs; Make **** sure it doesn't take a custom size belt that is only available from a single vendor.

[bluesman2a]

Another good point Franz... Checked it out, and it's a 6" by 48" belt and a 9" disc which as best I can tell is industry standard.

Also a side note: stopped by to pick it up today, and it was buried under other stock (store just opened on Tuesday). So manager writes me a voucher for ANOTHER 20% off the price if I'll come back to pick it up Saturday!

[BMB]

Blues,
Are you looking at on with a 9" disk or 12". The link says 12, but you said 9?

I looked their (HF) 12" disk only sander and it seemed ok, but the table on the display was not too stable it wouldn't lock into place without moving. Might have just needed tightening, but something you may want to check out.

BMB

[Dave Haak]

Aaron,

I might have the same hydraulic bender you have but got it at Northern Tool. I don't use it much. Have you made modifications to yours?

Dave

[Dave Haak]

Aaron,

Thanks.

If you make additional dies for it, it would be nice if you posted them. One of the reasons I don't use mine very much is that the dies are for pretty long radiuses. I'd never thought about bending bar stock on it. I should make up a couple of flat surface rollers and try it.

Ref. bending 3/4" stock on it: I believe the side supports on mine are only about 1/4" thick. On the compact bender I've "Hot- bent" several things. It increases your size capability.

On the dies, I'm thinking, make form in wood and then cast in aluminum?

Thanks again.

Dave

[bluesman2a]

Well, got everything set up last night... new sander in place in the shop. Works pretty well, but I still like my angle grinders too.

In an interesting turn of events it just kept getting cheaper! Sent the wife to pick it up Friday, got it home and one of the castings had been busted (courtesy of shipper, I assume). Sent her back and the manager was so sorry, he took more off the sale price... Long story short: got the whole shooting match for $127

BMB was right though, it was the 9" 1HP vs the 12" 1.5 HP I listed above. It's still more than adequate though.

[morpheus]

how about an update on the belt/disc sander now that you've had it a few weeks ...

- jack

[pontiac]

Just an FYI

Just got the Enco sale catalog..

they have their 9" disk plus 6"x48" belt sander on sale for $169