Has Anyone Tried the New HF OSS

[phrog]

Just wondered if anyone out there has tried the new HF OSS? Its design looks a great deal like the Ryobi but it is smaller and has a plastic case instead of metal. I believe the motor and other specs to be similar to the Ryobi. Will be trying a new hobby soon - making a guitar and think I need a OSS. Small and light might be better here. What do you'all think? Thanks.
Richard

[mikel]

this one ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95088


does not look too bad... I wonder who's sanding sleves it takes.

...m

[phrog]

this one ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95088


does not look too bad... I wonder who's sanding sleves it takes.

...m

Yep, that's it. Don't know whose sleeves it takes.

[LCHIEN]

Just wondered if anyone out there has tried the new HF OSS? Its design looks a great deal like the Ryobi but it is smaller and has a plastic case instead of metal. I believe the motor and other specs to be similar to the Ryobi. Will be trying a new hobby soon - making a guitar and think I need a OSS. Small and light might be better here. What do you'all think? Thanks.
Richard

The Ryobi OSS500 has 20" x 16-1/2" table and this knock off has 15-1/2 x 14" table so its somewhat smaller altho the table is the same shape.
Both are 3.5 amp 120V motors, 2000 RPM and ~5/8" stroke. the Ryobi has 58 OPM the HF unspecified. The Ryobi case is definately plastic.

I got my OSS500 for around $85 on sale a couple of years ago. I saw the HF in the store today for $90 on sale.

[phrog]

Question for LChien

Loring, my mistake - I thought that I had read that the OSS500 had a metal case. My question - do you know if the sleeves on OSS's are interchangeable? It seems that if the spindle diameters are the same that the sleeves made for one should fit another as long as their lengths are the same. Thanks in advance for any info. PS - really like the OSS 500 but it seems that Ryobi has discontinued it and that is why I'm looking at the HF model.
Richard

[MilDoc]

Anyone know the length of the sleeves on the HF unit? 4" like most, or ...

[lrr]

Check out Grizzly for sleeves -- they stock a lot of sanding accessories.

Also, it may be overkill for what you are looking for, but check out the Ridgid OSS -- it is both sleeve and belt OS. It is perhaps a little pricey at $199, but I got mine on sale. It is a really nice machine.

[mikel]

Grizzly makes a little machine like these too and there is a delta unit but it gets close to the price of the ridgid OSS and belt unit at 199.00

...m

[mikel]

this one...

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0538

...m

[phrog]

Thanks to All

Thanks to all who have replied to my questions. I have checked out the Ridgid but it is a little pricey for me and I already have the Ryobi belt/disc sander so I would be buying the Ridgid only for the spindle. The Griz looks interesting but I always worry about buying without "touching." Again, thanks to all.
Richard

[LCHIEN]

I have used the Ryobi OSS500 and in terms of its table size vs. the HF unit, I always felt the Ryobi was bigger than necessary. I can see how a larger table would work to support edge finishing of larger pieces, but I have so far only sanded small items, and quite a few. So I would not have missed the extra size and indeed the Ryobi is a little "in the way" being so big.

Otherwise, I can't see any features of the Ryobi that are missing or significantly different.

As for operation, I guess there's no magic to an osc. spindle sander. As to reliability, If it works for a month it will probably keep working. If this is the kind of sander you want, I 'd go ahead and try one.

[burrellski]

The HF model looks identical to the performax model at Menards for $100. I was in Menards last night and found a Wilton OSS on sale for $79. It had a rectangular laminate top but appeared to be pretty well constructed for the $$$.

http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/shop/ind...e=4&iid=139158

[ke4rdb]

Bought one a couple of weeks ago. Not much to say other than it works and works well. Standard size 4.5" sleeves (the ryobi ones fi with no problem). Time will tell how it holds up but at this time I'm happy with it.

JW

[phrog]

Thanks

Bought one a couple of weeks ago. Not much to say other than it works and works well. Standard size 4.5" sleeves (the ryobi ones fi with no problem). Time will tell how it holds up but at this time I'm happy with it.

JW

Thanks, I may just get one after hearing this.
Richard