Official Luthiers Forum!

I have several sanders.

One is a 6-36 disc/belt sander. The belt part is useful for thicknessing headstocks (moving back and forth sideways takes care of the crown issue) and scooping braces along with general sanding. I use the disc part all the time to put angles on small parts, squaring ends, and so on. I probably turn this sander on more often than any of them. When this one dies I would like to get a bigger/higher-quality one. I am jealous of those with enough room for dedicated disc and belt sanders but my shop is just not big enough.

Another is the Rigid oscillating unit - it's great for inside curves on stuff. I don't use the belt attachment as often but it does come in handy. If it broke I would go buy another one.

There is also the Luthier's friend which I don't use much. I do thickness saddles and other small stuff with it but if you're not careful it will shoot your part out in the shop to be lost forever. A sled for the belt sander would do the same job. It's a well made little unit but if I didn't already have this I wouldn't buy it again.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"