Customer Reviews

Ridgid EB4424 Sander, Oscillating/Edge Belt

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I researched spindle sanders for about a week or so before making a decision to buy the Ridgid EB4424. I liked the idea that it is "multi-purpose" - functioning both as a spindle sander and a belt sander with a tilt table. I couldn't find anything else that offered all the features that the Rigid does, and the $250 price seemed too good to be true (most other spindle sanders cost more, sometimes MUCH more, but with fewer features). I almost didn't buy it because of the low price (made me somewhat suspicious). However, I have other Ridgid products and they have been very reliable.

Shopping the web for pricing, I ran across a great deal...new units for $199, but also found factory reconditioned units priced even lower than that. I decided to take a gamble and order a factory reconditioned unit and paid only $150! Figured if I didn't like it, or if the recon didn't work properly, I could return it. Thankfully, I found it works perfectly and it has found a permanent home in my workshop!

Upon opening the box, the interior packaging looked brand-spanking new and everything inside it was in new condition. No sign at all that this was a recon unit. (The only clue that it was reconditioned was the owner's manual had "Reconditioned Unit One-Year Warranty" printed on the cover.)

Set-up is minimal and simple. When I checked the adjustable table-half to see if it was level in relation to the stationary table-half, I found the table did not need any adjustment whatsoever! The only adjustments I made was to the Allen screws under where the orange plastic spindle table insert fits into. Easy, 2 minute job. Ridgid even includes the 3/32" Allen wrench. They thought of everything it seems.

I've used it now for 8 months (purchased Feb. 2009), and I couldn't be more pleased. I use the belt-sander attachment to true-up miter joints, straight joints, and general "flat" sanding tasks for small boxes and the like. Swapping out the belt sander attachment to convert to a spindle sander takes less than a minute.

Of course, the oscillating/rotary spindle is the main reason I bought the unit and it has exceeded my expectations. The motor has plenty of "oomph" and makes quick work of sanding the interior and exterior sections of curved wood cutouts and so on. I really enjoy how Rigid designed the entire unit. The built-in storage keeps all the accessories and attachments neatly stowed and is very handy indeed!

I consider the Ridgid EB4424 a bargain at any price. You get 2 tools in one and the unit performs better than advertised. If you've been thinking about adding a spindle sander to your workshop, I think you will be well-pleased choosing the EB4424!

EDIT: I just noticed (Oct. 25, 2009)that in the EB4424 product description posted on Amazon.com shows the unit weighs 300 pounds! NO - not so! It weighs just over 40 pounds is all.

I'm impressed. First, let me qualify my evaluation of this machine by saying that I am a (very) long-time veteran professional woodworker and I have a shop full of really good tools. I never buy junk to "save money."

That said, I'm impressed with this tool. For a lot of years I've been using my drill press with drum sanders to do what I bought this tool for. For years, I've been looking for drum sanders that are at least round, if not even (way too much to ask for) concentric to their arbor shafts. For the last few years that more and more spindle sanders have been showing up in the tool catalogs, I've been reading the reviews. I was not impressed, although I was ready to try one just because a lot of my work involved standing at that drill press being irritated by the drum sanders I could find.

Along came the Ridgid EB 4424. My favorite (by far) contractor's table saw is my Ridgid TS 3650, which is an amazing tool that brought Ridgid tools to my attention a few years ago. So when I saw the EB 4424 in one of my woodworker's magazines. I then went on to read the reviews on the machine and they were about 90% positive. Very positive. So when our local H-D here in Hawai`i had the tool for sale at the Mainland price of $199, I went for it. Have I said that I'm impressed?

Yesterday I started in on a new project, a case for another of my stained-glass-and-fine-woods lamps. Many of these cases include lots of compound curves. I set up the sander (took about 3 minutes) and tried if for a few basic operations. Within a few hours, I found myself using this thing more than any other single tool in my well-endowed shop.

When I bought it, I felt, yeah, it was also a belt sander, but hey, I had a big stationary belt sander so why would I ever need this one? A gimmick, right?

I can't express how cool it is to have this small belt sander available with it's tilt table and almost instant belt-changes (for different grits, in my case) available while leaving my stationary sander intact and not having to constantly change settings.

OK, back to the spindle sander. It takes about one minute to change the machine from belt to spindle mode, and about the same amount of time to change drum sizes. Before, I would have to set up my drill press with a special table clamp-on jig and then suffer through the wobbly, imprecise sanding drums available for this purpose. Those days are over! What a pleasure to have this precision machine for sanding curves at exactly 90 degrees to the work surface, or any angle I would want by adjusting the nice, flat, generous-size table.

I could go on and on, but just look through the existing reviews and see for yourself. Take heed that the few people who give any product one star because they just felt it was a "piece of junk," you have to consider the source. Yes, there are lemons. So take it back to H-D and get a replacement. No sweat. But many of the negative reviews on any product need to be considered along with the positive ones. Consider the source for the reviews. Was the writer a weekend tool user who had no experience with power tools? Was it a professional who had some valid comparisons with which to author a review?

Oh, one more thing, when I used my drill press with drum sanders, the sanding operation made a huge mess of sawdust flying in every direction. The Ridgid has a 2-1/2" dust-collection port that fits any standard shop vac, and connects into any shop dust-collection system with a standard adapter. While not a perfect solution, this dust collector picks up like 90% of the dust. There is no dust in the air, and only a small amount accumulates on the worktable. As dust collection systems go, I love it!

Bottom line: Ridgid has come up with another winner. If you have a use for this substantial and flexible machine, go for it!

One of the best sanding tools that I have used. I build strip kayaks and canoes and this tool is invaluable in sanding angles and bevels in wood stripping. Saves time and lots of work. Keeps on ticking.

I have owned one of these for about 2 years, used it hard and it has been useful. Belt tracking has always been hit and miss. I have to give Ridgid an A+ for the configuration, nobody else produces a edge sander in this configuration at any price. .
Anyways the lightduty bearings in the motor are now failed and it will not start reliably . I now need another but will not buy the Ridgid brand because of too much plastic and light construction. These units are not rebuildable. They are a throwaway.
The EB4424 sander is a working unit for a couple of years but lets just say these will not be around for your grandkids to use. Ridgid tools just barely work. They are not a high quality brandname.
RJR

This has been quite an upgrade from my previous methods of sanding - hand belt sanding (never comes out at quite 90 degrees), or drum sanders on the drill press (I can never find sanding drums taller than 1-2 inches). The sander is marketed to homeowners, and small businesses and it really fills a niche. It won't replace a random orbit sander, but it is a great compliment to any shop. I selected the Ridgid sander based on my positive experience with their tools in the past (drill press, shop vacs), and because the belt sander/spindle sander combo is not available anywhere else. The belt tracking adjustment is easy and effective (a single knob), and a quick-release makes belt changes simple like on a hand belt sander. Another feature that stood out above the delta sander is the tilting table. This is actually extemely useful. I use a miter gauge and the tilting table to chamfer the ends of through-tenons. It gives a better finish, and is easier to set up than the router table (no splintering).
Belt changes and switchover to the spindle is quick, easy and tool-free as others have mentioned. The unit weighs only 40 lbs, so you can easily move it around the shop as needed (unlike cast-iron stationary tools). I put it on a 31-1/2" high rolling cabinet which raises the work surface to a comfortable height. Onboard storage slots for all accessories is included, and much appreciated. Fine woodworking rated it best overall and best value, which is quite an honor.
Icing on the cake is the built-in dust collection port. When attached to my Jet DC 650 dust collector, the fine dust is whisked away. You will only see minimal buildup on the tabletop which occasionally needs to be brushed into the dust collector vents.
Update: 2 months later the sander started throwing belts. The adjustment knob no longer improved tracking. I figured the belt had stretched after two months of moderate use. When I pulled the belt off, I figured out the smaller spindle on the belt sander had broken. There was some melted plastic in the tray below. Ridgid advises you to avoid sanding with the small spindle side of the belt sander. That is the tracking mechanism. I never sanded on that side - only on the flat belt, or on the large spindle side. I took it to home depot and they exchanged it without hassle because it was within 90 days. I made sure to re-register for the lifetime service warranty with Ridgid. I figure it was just a fluke, and maybe a nut didn't get installed at the factory. I still rate this 5 stars because the belt sander is so useful, and this combination is not available anywhere else.

Second uddate: The second unit was giving me an electrical shock through the table while sanding. To make sure it wasn't static shock from my dust collector, I unplugged and disconnected the dust collector. The sander still shocked me repeatedly. Once again I took it back for an exchange at Home Depot. No questions asked, and I was back in business. I have downgraded my rating to 4 stars because reliability has come into question. Still, when I look at the Jet of Delta sanders - I don't want to give up the belt sander and tilting table features. I will stick with it for now because it is an incredibly useful sander, and I use it on every project I complete.

I have had this machine for 7-8 years still working had to replace switch, and replaced the brass sleeves on the belt sander with roller bearings. For the price not bad. Will buy another one when this one bites the dust and can't be repaired.

After pondering the reviews, I bought it at Home Depot, $199.00 along with some extra sanding belts & drums.
After setting it up with instructions in hand, (Quick and straight forward). Oh, by the way, adjusting the belt
to run true was responsive and simple. I spent the next day giving it a work-out. What a dream, it stayed put
without mounting it down, and ran as quiet as my bench grinder, the oscillation was smooth and fascinating to watch.
Even my wife had to play with it! Best $200 I've spent in a long time. Congratulations to Ridgid and their team
of engineers/designers for a product that is a pleasure to use! No doubt I'll be looking seriously at one of your
table saws. Thank you.

You can pick this up today (11/23/11) at Home Depot for $199. Wake up, amazon -- your tool pricing is draconian!

This product is extremely versatile and well built. If your into woodworking on any level, you will find a use for this tool. Dust collection is pretty decent with a shop vac and the belt track can need adjustment from time to time. But other than that I'm very happy with the product.

I purchased one of these a few years ago because I had a lot of 3x21" sanding belts laying around that I though I could make use of with this machine. I also have a Ryobi spindle sander as well and in using them side by side,the Ryobi is actually more powerful. This is Ok for a hobbyist, but isn't built well enough ,nor is it powerful enough for serious woodworking tasks, so I wouldn't recommend it for any one but the occasional user. I find myself using the Ryobi more often because it gets the job done faster.