Nifty Little Sander!

[Diane Kauffmds]

I needed a small benchtop disc sander, something I could just pull out in a jiffy, or keep set up in the back of my main work area. I have a disc on my combo sander, but the table never stays at the angle I need and the gap between the table and disc made it hard to make nuts and saddles.

I found a 5" Proxxon sander, but at almost $300, it's expensive. I'd almost given up when I found this little sander at Menard's, which is a building supply store found around Columbus, OH. I'm originally from Dayton and never heard of them, so they may only be around Columbus.

This sander is a Performax, which is a Proxxon clone, but unlike the Proxxon, it's made in China, not Luxembourg. The specs are identical.

5" wheel
Variable speed 1.1 amp motor
1150-3600 rpm (no load)
120v
1" dust collection adapter
Clamp
6 sanding discs in 3 grits
Weight 5lbs 8oz
2 year warranty

The Price is $39.99 + tax and 7.99 shipping. Final price $51 delivered.

I was surprised at how well built the little thing seems to be. I set the table at 0, and it was absolutely square to the sanding disc. The little slider/miter gauge is slid into the table from underneath, engaging it securely and without unwanted movement. The gap between the table and sanding disc is less than 1/8".

I squared the end of an ebony fretboard quickly, easily, and accurately today. The sander is small, but had no problem with this task. I'm sure it'll handle shaping a nut and saddle as well.

If you're interested, here is the link.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/powe ... 186&ipos=2

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[Bob Gleason]

That's a cutie, and the shipping even to Hawaii would be reasonable. I already have a big one and one about this size, so have to pass. Still tempting though. Should be some takers here. These small discs are excellent for pearl work.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I used it to thin a piece of purpleheart, a dense and brittle wood, to use in an end graft. It did it in no time flat, without getting bogged down. I really like it. The size is just right for doing 90% of what I need.

[Bob Gleason]

Diane- Since the 11% sale discount ends today, I sent out a link to our local Guild members. I think some them could use this tool. Thanks for posting the link.--Bob

[Diane Kauffmds]

You're welcome Bob.

[Bob Gleason]

And, my ever bubbly Guild members gave me grief because I did not know that the discount coupon was only good for in store purchases. Some people!!!!!!!

[Diane Kauffmds]

I didn't even know they had a sale going on. I bought mine for the "terrible" full price of $39.99. The funny thing is that if I had bought the Proxxon for $289, I would have thought it was worth every penny.

I've used it for a variety of things now and I wished I had found it a long time ago.

The only difference between this unit and the Proxxon, that I can see, is that the Proxxon discs can be removed and reused; Proxxon even gives you a plastic sheet in which to store them. I think these discs use the same adhesive as any other PSA disc.

You can buy the Proxxon discs. They run $11.46 for 5 of them. It would be a simple matter to buy the Proxxon discs to use on this unit, if you wanted to switch grits frequently.

[jread]

nice, just what i need.

[jread]

best 35 buck investment my shop has seen in a while.

[Diane Kauffmds]

best 35 buck investment my shop has seen in a while.

You got one? I love mine. I'm considering buying a second one.