12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

The disc is everything. If you luck out and yours is well balanced and not bent in shipping - it won't vibrate. I was lucky. The one I got had some minor vibration, but that was caused by an off center pad. The motor and bearings are quiet and smooth. Theres plenty of power for sanding (its intended use). The aluminum work table is a bit light but not wonky. Mine came green, not ugly orange.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

This thing is built like a tank! It was much heavier than I expected, and that's a good thing. I would have liked a cast iron table as solid as the rest of the grinder, but that's not a big issue as far as I'm concerned. I was worried about how true and balanced the platen would be, but it was perfect right out of the box. I own a lot of HF machinery, and I can honestly say this is one of their best values.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

I use this to sand and fine tune miter joints before assembling picture frames. I made my own sliding miter jig for this and the sander works like a charm.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

Bought mine from a local HF retail store. I knew it was a stout unit when I went to pick it up off the shelf in the store, I almost dropped it, it was so heavy. I use it in my shop in a production enviroment, smoothing welds and heavy deburring, steel don't faze it. I do recommend getting better quality PSA discs but the ones included are okay for starters. I also recommend linining the lower deflector cover on the left side of the machine, with some light gage steel or brass sheet as grinding steel will quickly melt the plastic guard.

Far as being out of balance, I noticed no issue. I believe the other users are sticking the PSA discs off center. center the disc properly on the platen and the unit is vibration free,
Nice heavy duty die cast aluminum table and worthless miter gage but then I bought it for steel grinding so the miter gage is in the drawer.

For the price, it can't be beat for raw power and a 12" PSA disc is common industry size so discs are a non-issue.

You can't go wrong with this tool. Overbuilt and overpowered.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

This tool is great,don't over think this purchase-
just buy it!

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

Bought this unit about 15 years ago and use it almost daily in woodworking. It's big, heavy, and stable, exactly what you want in machinery. My only complaint would have been the aluminum table. Aluminum leaves dark streaks on wood. I cured this by applying formica to the table, then finishing it off with a flush trim bit in a router. What a great improvement. The large 12 inch disc are easy to center by wedging 2 popsicle sticks between the wheel and the housing, one on each side, just below half way down. This will automatically alaign the disc to the wheel, dead on application every time.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

I won't get into the whole name brand vs. HF squabble. If you are a business, by all means look to Ingle$on Rand. I'll just say I needed a "disk grinder" to square off some .035 wall SS tubing prior to tigging (a absolute must for successful fusion welding).. 1st off it weights more [*]. This is not a con. The 12" disk is HUGE. Spelled H.U.G.E. The platen? (disk) is HEAVY cast steel - a major plus.. and it cannot be stopped, easily. Even if you try to do so on its last seconds of the coast down phase (hardly turning!) and you think you can quicken it by intervening with whatever is in your hand, including your hand (ask me how I know). It looks built tuff and it sure seems it. The time it takes to "come up to speed" is amazing quick.. and once up to speed it is quite smooth considering. It's well worth the money when you are just buying a grinder to solve another build issue. I couldn't ship it across town for that price?Now for all the folks (like me) who whip out the ".0001 dial indicator" and what to see the run out on the outer edge of the disk.. don't! I did. It's less than true - this point has been reviewed here before. But the end result I got the 90' results I wanted when rotating the 20ga. tubing while grinding - no rock, no sun light. But being the freak I am, I will eventually seek out someone with a lathe to sweeten it up the disk.. No doubt it will make for even a smoother experience. But it can be used as-is with the right technique. And with mild steel brackets and such you'll have no issues. It's a grinder and it does just fine :) Also the sticky backed disk actually came on and off better than I expected. And can even be reused.I would have spent far more money and time doing a DIY than to just purchase this grinder. for me, it solved my problems with flying colors. I did buy into the 2yr warrant (ah what the heck?)... Of all the HF power tools, I believe this one is of the highest quality and appearance I've seen. I label this a "BUY"!p.s.The one reviewer that gave it 1 star due to the aluminum table being broken? has unjustly done so. A broken component is, well "that's life"... He should have not vented on something that has nothing to do with the grinder itself. But instead, with the people that handled it. That's only fair IMHO.Cheers!Ovalwing nut

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

My only complaint is that the first one i got vibrated alot and i returned it for another one. The new one runs nice and smooth. Tip! for anyone considering buying one, With the sandpaper disk off the wheel and unplugged of course turn the disk wheel by hand and if it runs true with no runout then you will have a smooth running sander. Or have them plug it in and test it first. They will do this for you.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

Wow, this thing is a hungry beast. It eats through wood without bogging down or complaining. Nice dust-port too. I'm am exceptionally happy with this sander. REALLY, REALLY quiet too.

Comments about Central Machinery 12" Direct Drive Bench Top Disc Sander:

This sander really removes wood fast and very quiet. It is heavy, but that is a plus in my book!
I bought it to make my own wood flour for fiberglass work. The dust vent on this machine has a fan on it so it you use a big cloth bag you really don't need a vacuum.