Ridgid Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander

[softop41]

Hi Guys,
I am considering buying the Ridgid spindle/belt sander...However, I haven't been able to find 4" sanding sleeves anywhere. HD doesn't carry then, I have found 4-1/4" and 4-1/2" sleeves but no 4" ones. What gives with that? Guys here seem to like the machine a lot but nobody has mentioned replacement sleves for it. On the Ridgid Forum, guys list links but none of them have 4" sleeves either. One fella says he gets his a Rockler, but they only list 4-1/2" sleeves.
Thanks for the help
Jerry

[MilDoc]

Got mine from Amazon.com, 'tho they're actually sold by Cummins:

http://tinyurl.com/y6vplw

[sacherjj]

This is the size of the larger handheld belt sander, so they are pretty easy to find online. I picked up a set of belts at my local HD, but that was about a year ago when I purchased the sander.

[Greg in Maryland]

Hi

I purchased the sander and was able to get belts at HD.

Greg

Ps BTW this is a very nice tool.

[Tom Miller]

Are you sure it doesn't take 4.5" long sleeves? I'm not at home right now, but I recall ordering replacement sleeves from Klingspor, and they only carry 4.5". Maybe I bought the wrong ones....

Looking at the picture of the machine online, it looks like there's at least an extra half inch of room between the belt and the top of the spindle (taken up by the belt roller mechanism).

Either way you look at it, someone's gonna be slapping their forehead after work today.

Regards,
Tom

[JR]

I just checked the manual. It calls for 4" x 24" belts.

JR

[Tom Miller]

I just checked the manual. It calls for 4" x 24" belts.

JR

JR, I think he's looking for sanding sleeves, not the belts.

Regards,
Tom

[JR]

JR, I think he's looking for sanding sleeves, not the belts.

Regards,
Tom

Oh, I see...

[JR]

Ok, looked that up, too. The sleeves are 4-1/2"

JR

[Tom Miller]

Ok, looked that up, too. The sleeves are 4-1/2"

JR

Well, there you go, Jerry, your last reason for not buying this thing is gone.

And, yes, they are nice little machines!

Regards,
Tom

[softop41]

Thanks Guys,
I just assumed that since it used a 4" belt, it would use 4" sleeves too. There I go using logic again; I tried to quit it but no luck so far! And, yes, I know what 'assume' does for the both of us! I have only looked at pictures thus far since I like to avoid surprises like difficulty getting accessories before I drop the coin for a machine.
Thanks for the timely and helpful info.
Jerry

[TomM]

I believe they are the same size as the Ryobi sleeves and sold at Home Depot. Sears also sells them, and sometimes have them on the bargain table for about $.50 each.

Tom

[lrr]

Well, there you go, Jerry, your last reason for not buying this thing is gone.

And, yes, they are nice little machines!

Regards,
Tom

Ditto that -- I got mine a few months ago and it is great.