A reader emailed in, asking where he can find replacement sanding sleeves for Ridgid’s oscillating belt and spindle sander.
Size: 4″ belts, 4-1/2″ sanding sleeves
Sanding Sleeve Sizes: 3/4 in, 1 in, 1-1/2 in, 2 in
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The bad news is that Ridgid does not make replacement sleeves for their sander, but the good news is that 4-1/2″ sanding sleeves are a popular size and should be available from any major woodworking supplier.
The reader was specifically looking for 2″ 50 grit sandpaper sleeves, which are harder to find, but still readily available. Suppliers that don’t carry 50 grit replacement sleeves usually carry 60 grit sleeves. Some vendors carry replacement sanding sleeve sets as well as individual sizes and grits, others only carry sets.
Available at: Rockler, Klingspor, Woodcraft
Remember, some benchtop tool makers don’t carry accessories or replacement consumables for some of the power tools they make. For instance, Milwaukee and Ridgid manufacture oscillating multi-tools, but not oscillating blades or accessories.
fred
Here’s a link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-772000502-2-Inch-Spindle-Sanding/dp/B0007SXHZ0/
Hang Fire
Stuart, good job helping out a reader.
This is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine. When I buy a tool I typically buy spare consumables right then and there. The reasons are obvious, a tool can be discontinued at any moment and then I’m stuck with a useless tool, or I can need a replacement late at night and not have time to get to the store before it closes.
If I’m buying the tool and they are out of stock, or do not stock the consumable, I walk away and buy elsewhere. If, after a purchase, I’m forced to go online to buy, I make it a point to buy from a competitor. Retailers WILL NOT LEARN until more people do this.
Stuart
I’m always glad to help, but don’t turn every question into a post. This seemed like one of those questions that is asked repeatedly on woodworking forums and elsewhere.
fred
When I was working we had 3 PC (#121) potable oscillating spindle sanders that we used mostly for countertop installation work. This tool uses the more or less standard 4.5 inch long sleeves – and we bought ours mostly PC or Delta brand though our industrial distributor. But – as I pointed out above Amazon sells them so do others like Plumber’s Surplus:
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Porter-Cable-772000502-2-Spindle-Sanding-Sleeves-50g-2-Pack/80048/Cat/1329
I agree with Hang Fire in his peeve about buying power tools that are not supported with readily available consumables – but that seems like it might be a growing trend with manufacturers moving on to newer (perhaps more profitable) tools rather than supporting older less popular ones (like the discontinued PC 121) – but hey that’s the free market system – and if there is enough demand then third parties may step in to fill the need.
jeff_williams
Hmm, they have them on the shelf at my local Menards. Typically TTI products are considered HomeDepot exclusives but Menards carries some consumables from them. Unfortunately Menards isn’t nationwide.
Jon
Home Depot carries Diablo branded sleeves that work in place of the included Ridgid ones (which are carried at Menards, probably a close-out buy). Product link is here: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-Assorted-Sanding-Sleeves-10-Pack-DCVDRMVGPS10G/202830929#specifications
The’re carried in all the HD stores near me (WI) and seem to be pretty high quality.
Forrest Bonner
As of 1/26/2017 the Diablo sleeves no longer fit the Rigid EB44242 sander. Bought them and returned them since the wood stopped the sleeve, not the spindle, as soon as it lightly touched.
Charlos Hammond
The Wen unit appears all but identical to the Ridgid and HD shows replacement sleeves f the Wen: WEN Spindle Sanding Sleeves, Assorted Grits, 18-Pack https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Spindle-Sanding-Sleeves-Assorted-Grits-18-Pack-6510SPC/207165313