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No worries, it's good to get a sense of what's out there. For a machine with that level of sophistication, well, I want a high level of customer support...

Hi Josh,

I bought the 18" single phase grizzly wide belt about 5 years ago. I believe they around $5000. new now. I got mine for $1800. from craigslist.

I had a Performax 22-44 for many years before that-it is a toy compared to this.

It was practically unused at the time. I love this machine-almost no trouble so far and I use it quite a bit. I mostly keep 100 grit in it for guitar work. For cabinet work I go from 60-180 grit. I use the white sterrated no load paper-works great.

It doesn't take many passes to go from a bandsawn plate to the targeted thickness.

The trick with these machines is to take off a very little at a time, like a drum sander. Compared to a drum sander the paper lasts much,much longer and changes out much faster.

If I had the space and money I would go for a 24" machine-I don't think you would need a wider one if you are only doing guitars.

+1 for the Grizzly 18" G0527 Wide Belt Sander.
I've had mine for about 4 years. Love it. Not found any guitar-related work that doesn't fit.

I'm about to move my workshop and have to downsize a bit. The G0527 is top of my list of "Tools To Keep"

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Does it oscillate at all?

I have had my eye on the 18" grizzly wide belt sander as well.. but the specs say the minimum thickness is only 1/8", does it actually go thinner than that?

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Guitar Maker and Purveyor of the World's Finest Tonewoods
http://www.aaronhixguitars.com/
http://stores.ebay.com/A-Hix-Tonewood-a ... r-Supplies

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. They are helpful.

Got some quotes back today from Timesavers. I'm leaning in that direction if my shop expansion goes ahead.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

How much for a 24" Timesaver?

Yes, it oscillates.

I routinely thickness parts down to .040 without a sled.

Thanks Brad,

I've found the surface to be way better with machines that oscillate.

Sent you a PM Ed.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Has anyone tried Jet 22/44 osculating drum sander? Seems like it would solve a lot of the drum sander problems, although the accuracy his what I am wondering about.

The difference between my oscillating spindle sander and my regular spindle (drum) sander is night and day. So it seems promising!

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Pat

I have my eye on that too, though it would be a compromise for sure, and certainly not as good as a widebelt. I did contact another maker who had one, and he says he is very pleased with it. You can't get Jet in Canada though...

As for accuracy, I would have no doubt that if set up properly, it would be as accurate as you'd need it to be...

You have to adjust the minimum depth stop switch, that's all.
Mine came set to just under 1/8". It only took a few minutes to adjust it to 0.050", which is as thin as I ever need it.

Cheers,
Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"