I Need a Replacement for My Craftsman In-Line/Orbital Sander

[Skeezix]

In 1976 I bought a Craftsman 1/2 HP in-line sander from Sears for $50. It used sandpaper that was around 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. The paper wrapped up and over the front edge of the sander's pad and also along the back edge, and a clamp at each end held the paper in place. A lever would change the pad's action from in-line to an orbital path. I can't remember how many walls and 2x6's I sanded with it but it was a lot.

After 40 years of home-owner use my sander went belly-up. I looked for a replacement but couldn't find one so I bought a pad sander to replace it. That was in 2016. The pad sander just isn't working out well. Where can I find a replacement inline sander?

 

[Steve123]

Having owned both, I would not recommend an inline sander.

Buy a random orbit sander that has a vacuum port to hook up to your shop-vac.

 

[PJB12]

I just saw this thread & apologize for a reply so long after your initial post, Skeezix.

If it's not too late, I've owned several Third Sheet sanders that can be set to in-line or to orbital. I got frustrated with the machines dying or falling apart. (The longest lived was a Craftsman from 1975.) I decided to buy the cheapest I could find and consider it a "Throw Away". I bought a WEN Model 20 from 1967,

It is the very best of the bunch. I bought it a few years ago used on eBay for $14.00 including postage. (They show up on Bonanza once in a while, too.)


I absolutely can't find fault with it and use it very, very often. Once I sanded a 12 foot by 12 foot oak floor with it. The tool never complained. It is a far superior tool than the other brand new, spiffy ones I've purchased over many years. Perhaps one of those may be of interest to you.

Note that the WEN name has been sold by the family to another company. I understand the new WEN tools are a good value, but I only own one. It's a sacrifice sharpener that I use to touch up machine tool lathe bits & a drill once in a while. It was quite inexpensive, but works fine.

I've had a couple of 1/4 sheet pad sanders. They're very slow to cut when compared to third sheet and third sheet can give a finer finish in Straight mode.

Paul

 

[Skeezix]

@Steve123 -
If you mean a hand-held vibrating sander, I have one of those. They eat sandpaper. Maybe they are good for sanding small things with (very) light pressure on the sander, but for removing finishes they just don't cut it.

If you mean some other type of sander, one that doesn't hold the paper with loop&fasteners, could you please give me a brand name so I can search for it?

@PJB12 -
I appreciate the delayed reply. The only WEN in-line sander I found is powered by a 1.5 amp motor and I don't think that is enough for my purposes.

 

[PJB12]

@Steve123 -


@PJB12 -
I appreciate the delayed reply. The only WEN in-line sander I found is powered by a 1.5 amp motor and I don't think that is enough for my purposes.

Mine has a 1.5 amp motor. It's still the best of the bunch I've owned. I've sanded floor finishes, mill scale, paint, body filler, thinset residue and fine cabinet work with it. No troubles.

So, don't let amperage of the motor be your guide. How the tool feels in your hand, how easy it is to change papers, warranty, price and things like that would be higher up on my purchasing guide than motor amperage.

Why Power Doesn't Matter:
When sanding (hand or power) pushing down on the sander is never good; therefore the strength of the motor doesn't matter. Most sander's owner's manuals advise this.

For example, with an electric or pneumatic sander the weight of the tool is as much pressure as you should allow. Any more pressure will slow progress tremendously. (Or melt finishes or clog the paper, or...)

On rock-solid finishes I will actually lift the sander a bit to allow the edges of the grit material to lightly cut away at the finish. On soft finishes, such as old house paint or body filler, I'll also lift. Otherwise the paint melts into the spaces between grit on the paper.

But that is just me & how I use sanders.
Paul

 

[Skeezix]

Thanks for the additional info. Maybe I was just pressing too hard on my palm sander. Or maybe I was just pressing it... period. And I never thought about lifting the sander very slightly. I'll give it a try the next time I need to sand something!

 

[PJB12]

Thanks for the additional info. Maybe I was just pressing too hard on my palm sander. Or maybe I was just pressing it... period. And I never thought about lifting the sander very slightly. I'll give it a try the next time I need to sand something!

Lifting is not only helpful for really hard surfaces, but useful if the paper is clogging.

Palm sanders and I don't get along. Absolutely I can't get any work done with them. I wonder if it's because the stroke is so tiny. (Or if I'm just a crummy sander.)