By Ken Massingale
Input: 120 Volt AC, 3.5 AMPS
Oscillations Per Minute: 58
Revolutions Per Minute: 2,000 Shaft
Arbor Size: 1/2"
Rubber Spindle Diameters: 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3"
Spindle Sizes (Sandpaper): 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3"
Weight: 49 lbs
Price: $99.95
Includes: Spindle Sander (OSS500), Rubber Spindles, (3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3"), Spindle Sandpaper, (1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3") in 50, 80 and 150 grits,
6 throat plates, wrench, washers, Operator's Manual.
I have used sanding spindles on my drill press quite a bit, but have never had access to an OSS. My expectations were high for this unit due to the up/down movement of the spindle, added to the rotation. And of course the Ryobi name brings high expectations. The first impression after picking the unit up at Home Depot and starting the unpacking process was favorable. The unit was well packed, everything was tight in it's little nook in the styrofoam packing with nothing damaged or missing. Pulling the unit from the box made me appreciate it's weight, 49 lbs., this is no toy!! The unit came with the 3/4" spindle and sandpaper installed. There is ample storage space for the other sizes of paper that are included, and this includes a complete extra set of all sizes. Every inch of room has been cleverly used on the OSS500 for storage. Other storage areas are for the six throat plates that are included and sanding sleeve/rubber spindles.
O.K., let's get to the fun part, how well does it do what it was made to do!! The OSS500 was placed on a workbench plugged in and ready to go. The power switch was a little strange at first, you pull it out and up to start, but then it became apparent that this make quick turn off simple, just slap the front of the units base. Power on... Well not too loud, but definitely easy to tell it's running. I just happened to have a number of pieces of Cherry with heavy burn marks. We all know how easily Cherry burns, and how dang difficult it is to remove. Applying a piece of the Cherry I began to attempt to remove the burn marks, ready to spend quite a while in the process, based on performing the same task with sanding spindles on the drill press. I was very pleasantly surprised to see the burn marks disappearing almost immediately! In a matter of a couple of minutes, a total of 18 inches of marks on 3/4" stock were gone. But there was dust everywhere!! On the OSS500 top, the workbench and in the air. Time to test the dust collection feature, but based on other sanding tools so called dust collection I was prepared to be disappointed. The 2 1/4" hose from the Craftsman 6HP shop vac was slid into the DC port on the back of the OSS500 and fired up. (The dust was cleaned from all surfaces after the air borne material had settled.) Now I gathered several pieces of Walnut that I had just cut on the band saw. These were all 3/4" stock with practically no straight planes, just curves. They will be the feet and head pieces for several Quilt Racks I am building. Shop vac on, OSS500 on, the first piece was laid on the throat plate and applied to the spindle. Smoothing the band saw marks on the curved pieces was a pleasure. Quickly the edges became smooth and the little errors sawing, where the curves drastically changed direction were removed, resulting in some of the finest scrolling I have ever done! I found fairly soon that not much side pressure is required. fairly light pressure together with the rotation and oscillation of the sanding sleeves is all that is needed. As for the dust collection, there was no dust visible! None on the OSS500 table, workbench or in the air. And the internal ducting inside the OSS500 is such that the work pieces were held tight to the throat plate due to the suction. Tangible force was necessary to move the pieces against the spindle. The dust collection will vary based on the power of the shop vac or DC used.
The OSS500 table top is narrow at the front (spindle location) and wider (15 3/4") at the back. This means that wider stock would be better worked standing at a side or the back of the unit. This places the power switch difficult to reach, but I don't consider an OSS the type of machine that requires rapid access to power down. The cast iron table top reduces vibration compared to units, such as the previous Ryobi OSS450, with MDF tops. About the only negative side I can find at this time is that the finest grit available presently is 150. Ryobi would be well advised to offer up to 220 grit sanding sleeves.
In conclusion, I find the OSS500 great for the price. As I mentioned at the beginning, I haven't used other company's OSS's, but I have researched features and prices. The next lowest price I have found is Harbor Freight at $140, and they go up from there. Specs are fairly close between brands. I highly recommend this unit for woodworkers such as us. It is not a unit for professional shops, and is not intended for that purpose. Go get one and save yourself lots of time sanding, with better results.
(Questions and comments about this review directed to Ken Massingale)
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