The sanding of wood is an essential process.
For different types of projects, there are a variety of sanders available nowadays, each of which has a different area of expertise and are beneficial in one situation or the other.
Spindle sanders are also amongst them and have a massive role in sanding detailed or carved wood.
However, there are many models available in the market, so it could be confusing to buy the best one, demanding a lot of time.
So, this article will help you in choosing the best spindle sander as it contains the top 10 picks, so you don’t need to consider all the lesser quality products in the market and just go through the ones which are worth your attention.
Buyer’s Guide
Just like any other product, spindle sanders also have a lot of features that are crucial to be considered before you buy them.
This minimal knowledge about the factors is necessary if you want to compare certain different models and make the best choice depending upon your needs.
Power
The power which the motor carries is one of the most critical features in a spindle sander, just like any other sander.
You need to make sure that the amp rating of the motor is enough to give you the power you need to carry out your sanding tasks.
This is very important as not all the jobs require the same motor. Different types of projects can require different levels.
An underpowered machine will reduce the quality of sanding while an overpowered will be hard to manage, so choose appropriately.
Speed
This is another major feature that you need to consider in a spindle sander before buying. The speed determines how fast and efficiently you can finish the sanding job.
However, here we again need to go for appropriate speed as too much high speed will only be difficult to manage and increase your job time while a speed too low would obviously because you slow down a lot.
So, choose according to your job and expertise.
Drums/Sleeves
A lot of spindle sanders come with various sizes of drums and sleeves, which increase their versatility.
If this is not the case, you will only be limited to use the sander efficiently in some scenarios, and it will be tough to use it in others.
So, make sure it has many sizes which can be changed according to the nature of the work you do.
Dust Collection
This is again a feature that is not specific to only spindle sanders and applies to any kind of sander you need to buy.
When you are sanding, the wooden parts that are clipped off create pollution and can prove to be dangerous for your health.
So, a good dust collection system is necessary for a machine both to ensure your health and keeping the environment clean.
Features
There are a lot of additional features that are offered by some but not all the sanders.
Even if they seem unnecessary to you at the start, they prove beneficial for the durability and usability of the machine in the long run.
A fine example is the power switches of the sanders to dust-proof. This makes them very safe while working and ensures a very long life.
So, don’t ignore these additional features as they make an impact on the price but make your working easier as well.
Top 10 Spindle Sanders
We have reviewed the top products in the markets and the ones most famous among the customers.
Combining our reviews with the customer reviews and ratings, here is our take on the top 10 picks for the best spindle sanders.
1. WEN 6542 Oscillating Belt and Spindle Sander
Wen is a major contender when it comes to quality sanders, and this product is no different.
Featuring a powerful motor, this sander can achieve high speeds of up to 2000RPM, which are enough for most of the jobs you will need the sander for.
You also get to have onboard storage for keeping all the accessories together, so they are easily accessible whenever required.
Moreover, there are a lot of drum sizes available to use in different scenarios.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Powerful 3.5-amp motor
- Five different drum sizes
- Onboard accessories storage
- Perfect dust collection
Cons
- Manual isn’t great
- Belt sometimes starts squealing
2. WEN 6510T Oscillating Spindle Sander
This is another excellent spindle sander by the same manufacturer, WEN.
Although this one comes with the same powerful motor of 3.5 amperes, it costs quite low as the sander is less professional and mostly used at-home projects.
The onboard storage is included while the dust collection is good in this as well, making it an overall right package providing an excellent value for the money you pay.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Durable stainless steel material
- Good dust collection
- Great value for money
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Makes off noise sometimes
- Spindle could be bent
3. Shop Fox W1831 Oscillating Spindle Sander
Shop Fox W1831 is a single-phase spindle sander, which is rated 1/2HP, making it enough for any sanding job.
The machine comes in an affordable price tag and provides top-quality sanding, which will never make you regret buying it.
The dust ports are built-in, which means you don’t need to connect any extra and waste your time while there are six different spindle sizes, which will make your job easy in different situations.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very affordable
- Very powerful motor
- Built-in dust ports
- Six spindle sizes
Cons
- Not enough friction on the sandpaper sleeve
- The body is not durable
4. JET 708404 JBOS-5 Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander
Jet is another famous brand that is highly known for manufacturing top-quality sanders of all types.
Jet 708404 comes with a 0.5HP high power, single-phase motor, which works at 110-volt.
Even though it is manufactured for usage in the USA and Canada only, it is still a very popular product, and thousands of customers love it due to the features it provides at such an affordable price tag.
The design is safe, and it functions smoothly while delivering a perfect, scratch-free finish.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Tilting worktable
- Can handle high pressure and dense wood
- Durable body
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Has limited accessories
- Only for large-scale projects
5. Triton TSPS450 Oscillating Spindle Sander
Although this model is not very common amongst most of the customers, it nevertheless provides you a perfect value for the money.
The Spindle Sander by Triton carries a powerful motor that is rated 3.5-amp and can deliver speeds of up to 2000RPM.
There are six different sanding sleeves that are provided, while all are having matching rubber drums along with them.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very satisfied customers
- Quiet and stable operation
- Belts and brushes easy to replace
- Good dust collection
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work
6. EJWOX Oscillating Spindle Sander
This is one of the more unique models in the area of spindle sanders.
While most of the ones you will come across are large and bulky devices, this one comes with a very compact body, which makes it quite portable.
However, it doesn’t come at the cost of power as this small machine can deliver up to 3200RPM speeds and features a dust port.
The changing of sanding drums is also designed to be quick, and all this is topped with having a very cheap price tag.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Cheap
- Compact and portable body
- Handheld
- Adjustable edge guide
Cons
- Not for heavy-duty
- Noisy
7. Grizzly G0538 Oscillating Spindle Sander
Grizzly G0538 is a very well-known spindle sander, which is mostly preferred by customers who are into heavy-duty work and need the sander to be able to handle large-scale tasks.
The table is extra large and measures 20”x14” while the spindle can oscillate at a speed of 72SPM.
The motor is a single-phase and has a power of 1/3HP, working at 110V.
Lastly, there are two beneficial dust ports as well, which make working clean and tidy.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Two dust ports
- Easy storage; compact body
- Paddle power switch
- Powerful motor
- Large table size
Cons
- Very loud
- Can’t adjust belt tension
8. POWERTEC OS1000 Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander
Coming with an 18” cast-iron table, this spindle sander takes things up a notch.
While the machine is quite sturdy and durable, it is also compact as well, even when it is a benchtop.
The motor is rated 2.6-amp, which can deliver speeds up to 1725RPM, making it enough for most projects.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Cast iron table
- The perfect dust collection system
- Packs a lot of accessories
- Sanding sleeves are quick and easy to replace
Cons
- Plastic build
- The motor is not so powerful
9. Delta Woodworking 31-483 Oscillating Bench Spindle Sander
The Delta 31-483 sander is not only a perfect heavy-duty machine but also one of the most durable options on your list.
Coming with a 1/2HP motor, it works on 115V and creates professional-looking finishing jobs that are unmatched.
Overall, the body is quite compact but contains all the major features, such as having onboard storage for the accessories.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Can easily manage heavy-duty work
- Tilting table
- Durable steel construction
Cons
- Expensive
- The dust port is not the best size
10. Jet 723950 Floor Mount Oscillating Spindle Sander
Jet 723950 is probably the most expensive pick we have on our list and is not recommended for users who are willing to buy something to use at home.
This machine features a perfect dust collection system and controls the dust effectively in the storage area as well.
The spindle changes are made easy, while the table can tilt as well.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Tilting table
- Spindle lock for easy changes
- Best dust collection
- Very durable body
- Dust-sealed switches
Cons
- Very expensive
- Some claims about the table not sitting well
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you use a spindle sander for?
Spindle sanders are basically used to sand the wooden surfaces which are curved and cannot be very finely done by other sanding machines. Spindle sanders provide a smooth and flat finish effectively.
How do you make a spindle sander?
First, you need to get the motor ready and make the spindle.
The next step is to make the table and give support to it so it can withstand the job. These are the only significant steps involved, which are followed by the finishing of the body.
However, to see these steps in detail, you can refer to a YouTube video that will give you a pretty much good idea.
How loud is a spindle sander?
We need to know the specific machine to answer this correctly as all the machines have different levels of noise.
However, an average spindle sander makes the noise equal to a chainsaw running when it’s not cutting.
Can I use a spindle sander for furniture?
Yes! That’s what they are the best for. Moreover, anything which is made from wood and has curved edges such as a chair or a table is perfect to be done from a spindle sander.
Do you need replacement parts for your spindle sanders?
Yes, you always do. Even if the sander is very good quality and its part doesn’t go bad, you will need new rubber drums after some time as they tend to deteriorate over time.
Conclusion
A spindle sander is a great tool for sanding wooden surfaces that are curvy and cannot be done using other sanding tools.
The article lists down the top 10 picks for the best spindle sanders you will come across, and you after going through all of them, you will certainly get an idea about what you want and the right sander suitable for you.
However, don’t forget to read the buyer’s guide to make the best choice.
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