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ultrawoodcarving.com Easy change of sanding paper, works well, have not had a problem since I have owned it.
Which is great, I like this model sander alot and now that Grizzly has it that means I can easily get a replacement if my SA180 goes belly up. First, I have heard many say that there is no way that the 1-2 hour assembly time is accurate. Here is the Amazon link to the Grizzly model.http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H8192-1%2522-8%2522-Sander/dp/B0017K8W3E/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_tI was very disappointed when the local hardware store called to order this sander for me and Delta told them it has been discontinued and that there is no replacement planned. The performance of this unit is incredible. UPDATE: Those that like the design of this sander can check out the Grizzly H8192 1" X 8" Belt/Disc Sander.
Delta has a great reputation and everything of theres I own is fantastic. This unit has a 1x42 inch belt and an 8 inch disc. I am really not sure what to say other than this thing is a solid performer. I found it here and after a bit of research I decided to go ahead and get it from Amazon.
I got it today and I must say it is awesome. It is a spot on match for the now discontinued SA180. It is a smooth operating tool. Both sanders work like a charm. In all fairness though not everyone is mechanically inclined. So maybe I am just lucky.
It is heavy compared to other sanders like this that I have used. From opening the box to sanding wood with the completed unit took no more than 30 minutes.
Typically they would be something like a 1x30 inch belt and maybe a 6" (possibly even a 4") disc. This tool is no exception.
Of course it is quite a bit larger than the ones I have used. The only difference appears to the color and the name stamped on it.
I had no issues with belt tracking or wobble of any kind. Had I been able to find my long flat head screwdriver right away that time would have been probably 20 minutes.
I am very much hoping that the Delta Rep was mistaken. Most are saying that there is no way it can be done in that amount of time.
This is not the tool to use on 2x4`s or any other heavy lumber, so for those grading and giving bad reviews on this tool obviously is not a craftsman. Once again Amazon delivery on time. For those looking for a good shop tool (Just Do It). People have to understand that this as well as many tools that we all use at our home shop are not industrial grade so be realistic. The Delta SA180 is a work horse, exactly the right tool that I was looking for my custom knife hobby. Made right and solid, all of the main parts are cast iron and well made.
The provided L-shaped wrench is not long enough to engage that set screw and turn 360 degrees. It seems to be a well-built machine at a good price that I expect to be with me for many years to come. I expect this tool to be quite inflexible and to last a long time. Please don't let them detract from the fact that this seems to a be a sturdy, high-value piece of equipment. I also thought that this sander was well priced, and is easily found in many retailers.Now for the nitpicking things.
First, from time to time, I want to shape something. Two plastic "wingnuts" are removed to remove the left side cover. Most of the weight is in the motor and the cast upright. I received it as a Christmas gift, and the weight of the wrapped box actually threw me off. My only suggestion here is to make them a quick-release mechanism to reduce the time spent spinning them on or off (or just leave off the cover while using the machine).My biggest complaint, however, is with the tool guide on the belt sander. This is important if you're sharpening a tool, and are working your way up through grades of sandpaper.
As an example, I have a Dewalt miter saw which holds the wrench required for frequent adjustments and changing the blade.I have one recommendation if you wish to use this to maintain the edge on tools. Second, after reading The Complete Guide to Sharpening by Leonard Lee, I was convinced that the 1" belt sander was the best, affordable, way to sharpen various tools around the house. I think many of these improvements could have been made without adding much to the overall manufacturing cost of the machine.First, changing the disk sandpaper involves more disassembly of the machine than I would like, and requires fishing around in a hole with a provided hex wrench trying to engage a mostly hidden screw to loosen the shaft of the disk platen. This machine would be so more useful as a sharpener if you could get it down to 75-80 degrees so you can put a 10-15 degree edge on a tool. This will do a fabulous job of final honing of the edge as well as putting a nice polished surface on it.Again, don't let my minor grievances turn you off to this sander. I wanted this sander for a couple of purposes.
I had to pull it out a little. So it's kind of a pain if you want to change angles, but have to readjust the set screw every time. The criticisms are mainly little nagging things.Overall, this sander seems to be very sturdily built. It cannot be lowered much below 45 degrees. Also, it gives a lot of opportunity of the belt to ride around the item being sharpened before contacting the platen, grinding where you did not want to. For example, I wish I had this to clean up the edges of my cross-section forms when working on a strip-built kayak a few months ago. After a couple minutes of use, this caused a tool I was sharpening to slice through a new, relatively expensive belt. Also, my belt sander platen does not stand straight up parallel to the belt.
In the table, there is a set screw that adjusts the angle of the table to the belt sander platen behind the belt to make it square. I am looking for an aftermarket replacement guide that allows a more acute angle, but haven't found on yet. This means I have to push a belt pretty far back to press against the platen. Get a leather belt and honing compound (available from woodworking specialty retailers). I wish a place to keep the tools were installed on the machine. Also, when installing the disk on the motor shaft, if I tried to seat it all the way in, the disk rubbed against the frame. I've been reluctant to bend it to straighten it, but I think I will have to try.One last complaint is that you regularly need the 2.5mm and 7mm hex wrenches to make adjustments to the machine or to change sandpaper. Wet sanders were just too expensive, and a slow speed grinder would always leave a concave surface on your tool since the stone is round.I will list a lot of improvements I'd like to see.
Once you get that screw adjusted, it prevents the table from being lowered down to, and beyond, the 45 degree mark. As for the belt sander, belts are swapped easily enough. I didn't expect that this machine would weigh so much. I am glad that I have long, handled hex wrenches to do the job.
I followed the advice of a previous reviewer and used a file to smooth the wheels, so now the belt is good and steady.The only other thing I noticed was that neither of the dust collector outlets will fit a vacuum cleaner hose or a small dust collector hose. The mouldline on the plastic wheels stands out and is uneven, making the belt jump about quite a bit. I had to use a rubber plumbing connector to adapt the outlets to my vacuum.I have noticed that many small tools that have dust collection outlets have the same problem. The shopmaster was easy to assemble and works quite well for what I wanted it for. I would have rated it at 5 stars except, out-of-the-box, the belt sander portion is practaclly unusable.
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