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Input: 1/2 Peak HP, 120V, single phase, 60 Hz
Belt Speed: 1900 SF/M
Disc Speed: 3450 RPM
Table Size: 8-1/2" x 5-3/4"
Table Tilt: 0-45°
Belt Tilt: 0-90°
Tool Weight: 47 lbs.
Price: $99.95
Includes: 4"x36" 80 grit sanding belt, 6" 80 grit sanding disc, Operator's Manual.
It took me about 20- 30 minutes to get everything setup and that included the time to take the pictures. So The setup is very straight forward and easy to do. After I finished setting the unit up I tried changing out the belt to see if it was as easy as the manual implied. It definitely is It takes about a minute to make the change and a few seconds to test and adjust the tracking. Changing the disk is slightly more involved as you have to remove the guard which requires a screw driver but even with that it is still easy to do. The next thing I did was fire the unit up and do some sanding. The unit works beautifully and has plenty of power. It is also much quieter than I expected. The belt and disk speed barely dropped even when using almost the entire surface in a sanding operation.
I did these first tests without the dust collector hooked up just to see how much dust was generated so I would have a good idea how well the dust collection port used when hooked up. I then hooked up the shop vac to the 2 1/2 port on the sander and went to work again. The dust collection works great for the belt and works adequately for the disk. Both were much better than I would have expected.
Well after all the testing I decided to put it to some real work. I have some pieces that combine flat and curved sections. I installed a 150 grit belt and went to work. I started with the flat sections using both the belt and disk where appropriate and the unit preformed well. I was left with very smooth surfaces with virtually no sanding marks and I believe that what little marking that happened with not happen after I get more used to the unit. I then went to work on the curved parts. The unit preformed well but you are limited by the radius for the roller curve. For more intricate curved work a spindle sander would be more suited.
Overall I have to say that I am very pleased with the unit. It has more horsepower (1/2hp) than is closest priced competitor (1/3hp) The unit is quiet, the dust collection works well and setup and belt changes are easy. There are some small changes I would make to the design if I had my way. I would replace the hex head screws that hold the work support on the belt with thumbscrews so it was easier to install and remove. I would also do the same thing for the work table. The other minor thing is that it would be nice to have a better miter gauge. The gauge included with it is the quality of most of the ones you get with a benchtop tool but it would be nice to just once get a nicer one.
Image 1
This is a picture of the unit just after it has been taken out of the box and had the protective bag removed. As you can see it comes with the belt already installed and all of the other parts individually packaged by the installation steps.
Image 2
The first step in the in the setup of this unit is to install the 6" adhesive back sanding disk and the guard over the lower section of the disk. The unit comes with an 80 grit disk. I decided that I wanted a different grit on the disk so on the way home I stopped and picked up a 150 grit disk and you see it installed here. This step was quite easy and it just requires you stick the disk and install the two screws to hold the cover. This cover also acts as part of the dust collection system.
Image 3
The next step was to install the work table. This was simply a matter of sliding the keyed shaft into the appropriate hole, and tightening down the set screw. There are two other set screws on the table that are used to adjust the distance from the table to the disk and for adjusting the table parallel to the disk.
Image 4
The next step was to adjust the table square to the disk. This was done simply with an engineers square and a set screw.
Image 5
Next I installed the work support bracket for the disk. This bracket helps you keep your work from becoming a missile and gives you a surface to reference off of. You can also see in this picture the holes used to loosen and tighten the screws for changing the belt from horizontal to vertical use. To do so simply use the provided Allen wrench to loosen the two screws and lift the table to vertical and tighten the two screws again. You will notice that the holes are well marked to show which to use when the table is vertical or horizontal.
Image 6
Also on the back are holders for the Allen wrench and the miter gauge.
Image 7
Changing out the belt is simplicity itself. Just pull the tension lever out, slide the belt off, slide the new belt on and push the lever back in. The yellow knob you see is to adjust the belt tracking and it location and design make adjusting the tracking very easy.
Image 8
There is one small issue with the manual. It implies in the manual that if you are using the belt in the vertical position you can install the work table for use on the belt without removing the normal work support. This is not correct. As you can see from the picture below if you leave the normal work support installed it will cover the keyed hole that you install the work table into. I spoke with Ryobi's technical support and they inform me that the normal work support is supposed to removed to use the table and the support is designed to insure that this must be done. The assured me that they would pass my input to the people who write the manuals to get things made clearer.