So here’s the situation. In order to make the process of building boards as cheap as I could without sanding by hand, I bought a variable speed sander/polisher from Harbor Freight. The thing worked fine for a little while (2 boards) before the digital variable speed buttons failed and it only worked at the slowest speed. Sent it back and got another. Same model, and surprise surprise, the same exact thing happened. Now, while I will be sending this piece o’ crap back, I am not about to buy another piece o’ crap from Harbor Freight. I bought from them in the first place because I spent a day searching stores that sell tools for a variable speed sander/polisher and couldn’t find jack. Grinders, not a problem. But slower speed sanders were almost non-existent. Found one at a tool store off Nimitz that was like $300 but at the time I thought it to be too expensive.
So, I’m looking for some advice from all you local guys who know where to go to get the goods. I got pretty good results with the piece o’ crap, so I am reluctant to spend over $200 for a tool that wont get all that much use, but at the same time I don’t want to have to replace the stupid thing all the time. Any suggestions? I’d still like to keep it as cheap as possible, but I’m willing to pay a little more for something that is not a piece o’ crap. Should I just suck it up and get the Milwaukee? Where do I get it cuz I couldnt find it last time? Seems like all the stores I could find had like 1 model to choose from which isn’t much of a choice to me. I’d like to stay local and avoid paying for shipping, but sometimes its cheaper to have it shipped than buying it here.
I’m sure someone has some advice that will help before I start the search again.
Great idea. Didn’t even think about that. So I could basically just get a cheaper grinder, the variable speed attachment and be good to go? No performance difference between the grinder and sander I’m guessing. I’d still love to hear ideas about the best place to get a decent one (sander or grinder) on the cheap. Shoots! Thanks for the idea.
Oh I didn’t mean use the HF sander with it. I bought one once too. The bearings made so much noise the first time I plugged it in, you’d have thought it was 20 years old and spent the last 19 running without any grease.
I meant buy a nice grinder for $100 and a router speed control for $25…you’re still at less than the variable speed sanders which run around $200.
If you want to really go cheaper, get a 4" grinder, take the guard off, put a 5" sanding pad on it and just never run it full speed. You’ll be out the door for $65 and its 95% as good. Plus its way easier to find 5" disks or you can cut 2 from a sheet instead of just one…
Yeah…I edited the post, because I realized that’s what you meant. Its time to send that piece o’ crap back and invest the money in a better tool. Thanks again for the idea.
The first is an ancient 2800 rpm unit made by Black and Decker. It has survived dozens of boards over 20 years. It cost $50, long ago, and I don’t think B&D makes it any more; mine has an aluminum housing, nowadays it would be plastic.
Second, a light made-in-China ebay-sourced variable speed unit. Not much torque, but the variable speed is real nice to have. I am not dissatisfied with it, but it is less powerful than the old B&D. Excellent for ding work. Forget what I paid, but it was a) not much, and b) worth it.
Third, a single-speed Milwaukee from ebay. Arrived in almost new condition for about 1/3 the retail cost. I had to replace one brush, got the part from Larsen’s (Slim’s is expensive). Home Depot may carry either my single-speed, or the variable speed version at about $210.
You’re welcome to try any one of them, PM me.
Had I to buy tools on island, Home Depot is likely where I’d go; you could try the swap meet, but the choices are likely to be pretty spotty there. I haven’t been in years…
Manoa (Jon) bought a variable one from Lowes for about $40 this past summer. It works fine but be wanted one that has a bit more speed. I am not sure if they still got it but you try a PM to Manoa for the details.
You’d be amazed what you can use a good polisher for. 1) sanding surfboards. 2) Polishing your car. 3) polishing granite slabs. 4) sanding your facia trim on your house. 4) grinding concrete. 5) put a saw blade on it and turn it into a under cut saw. My point is buy the quality and you’ll have the tool for the rest of your life, and you’ll use it for all kind of stuff you never thought of. But when it comes in handy, you’ll be saying “dam, I’m sure glad i got this old sander polisher”
If you persist on buying HF tools, they will bite you when you least want it. Always go for the quality, find a deal some place on the good stuff.
Howzit Honolulu,The Home Depot here on Kauai doesn't carry any grinders that work for boards. My first Makita I got from Toolmaster for $275 and the second one from Slim's but it was on sale for $179 so it was a pretty good deal,they usually get $250 for them at Slim's. The up side is they work great and the first one is over 10 years old and the second is 6 years old and still going strong, so the quality is there and I love the way they work. I was at Home Depot the other day trying to buy about $200 worth of tools and they had nothing I could use so I ended up spending a whole $27. Aloha,Kokua
Howzit Soulslider, A little tip about your Milwaukee, before turning it on make sure you blow it out with your compressor especially the trigger and variable speed dial. Those grinders have a problem with the rheostat and can burn out in a matter of months. One glasser here on Kauai has a closet full of them that burned out and refuses to buy any more. Aloha,Kokua
Howzit OahuSurfer, That's not the same one that I have,mine has just a straight handle on it. Go to this website I just found this grinder for an ecellant price.Aloha,Kokua