HF disc sander review

[NYCEGUY01]

Ok guys I searched and didnt find much. So here you go.

I recently purchased this HF 12" disc. I used one of the 20%off coupons that seem supereasy to come by these days and walked out the door at $110 with tax.
It comes with 3 discs but I also bought 2 more 3 packs for $7 each.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43468

1st thing, this thing is heavy, about 90lbs.

I really have no idea why more guys dont use these in thier shop.

This thing has become my go to maching on almost every project. I can cut out tabs etc.. all day long with the plasma then smooth them right out with the sander.

The discs seem to last a very long time as Im still using the one that came on it.

With thin stuff its nearly unstoppable. I tried some 1/2" thick stock and was able to stall it out though. It will still work great with the thick stuff but its a little slow.

I have all but retired my normal bench drinder. The disc will allow me to make nice straight tabs etc.. with minimal effort.

Im sure that there are far better machines out there but for $100 it cant be beat.

My buddy has the combination belt/disc model but the disc is smaller as well as the motor.

Anyway, at least for me this one will go on the list of HF tools that dont suck.

[RustoleumWhite]

Thanks for the review. I've looks at those before but wasn't ready to test it out and find it was a piece of junk.... I'll add it to my next wish list now.


I used to work at a place that had like 18" industrial versions of those, VERY slick for just as you said, making nice pieces of work. A nice 6" wide belt sander is invaliable as well, but I haven't found one I like that is the right combination of price/quality.


The 12" disc will work for now, and take up less room :beer:

[ChiScouter]

We use the delta version of that at work, I think that they are about 100 bucks more. Guys beat the hell out of them at work and we haven't had one fail yet. It is a very handy tool.

[darkstar]

I've had that HF 12" disc sander for a few years now, and I have used a a lot. This is probably the best thing Harbor Freight sells. Buy some alumina-zirconia 36 grit discs from McMaster and go to town....

Pros: good value for $100.
Cons: quite a bit of runout on the wheel. Table won't stay straight. Stalls when really leaning into it with something big.

Overall the cons don't bother me much. You do really have to try to stall it, and the discs I use on it are so coarse that I expect to finish the part on the 1" belt sander anyway.

Having said that, this thing has really whet my appetite for a nicer unit. I've been keeping an eye on craigslist for a 16+ inch unit with a more powerful motor for a while. so far nothing, but if I find one I'll be jumping on it.

[PARANOID56]

i have one, the run out on the disk is horable. i end up wearing a hole in the sanding disk on one spot. if it was true, i think this thing would kick ass.

[PTSchram]

Why can't you true up the disc? Seems as though you could remove the sanding disc and use a file or similar cutting tool to true it up.

I have one that was bought at an auction and when I remember I have it, it's really handy. Don't know what brand it is, but it has a nice big Baldor motor on it.

[beartj]

Why can't you true up the disc? Seems as though you could remove the sanding disc and use a file or similar cutting tool to true it up.

I have one that was bought at an auction and when I remember I have it, it's really handy. Don't know what brand it is, but it has a nice big Baldor motor on it.

I need a bench grinder/bracket shaper just for tooling around on the weekends. I also need something that can sharpen tungstens and we've always used pedestal grinders w/ stone wheels for that purpose. Any reason why this wouldn't work (don't have much experience w/ abrasives for heavy cutting/shaping)?

Also, any way to use the HF coupons online? There's no HF nearby.

[ChiScouter]

I've had that HF 12" disc sander for a few years now, and I have used a a lot. This is probably the best thing Harbor Freight sells. Buy some alumina-zirconia 36 grit discs from McMaster and go to town....

Pros: good value for $100.
Cons: quite a bit of runout on the wheel. Table won't stay straight. Stalls when really leaning into it with something big.

Overall the cons don't bother me much. You do really have to try to stall it, and the discs I use on it are so coarse that I expect to finish the part on the 1" belt sander anyway.

Having said that, this thing has really whet my appetite for a nicer unit. I've been keeping an eye on craigslist for a 16+ inch unit with a more powerful motor for a while. so far nothing, but if I find one I'll be jumping on it.


Its too rich for my blood, but there is a big boy on CL North Burbs. I have seen it listed a few times, maybe he is ready to come down or needs some bolts:D

[PTSchram]

I need a bench grinder/bracket shaper just for tooling around on the weekends. I also need something that can sharpen tungstens and we've always used pedestal grinders w/ stone wheels for that purpose. Any reason why this wouldn't work (don't have much experience w/ abrasives for heavy cutting/shaping)?

Also, any way to use the HF coupons online? There's no HF nearby.

There are HF stores in Fort Wayne and Indy-don't know about West Virginia though. I'm surprised there isn't one in Kokomo.

AFAIK, anything that can be done on a bench grinder can be done on a disc sander. I've been flamed for questioning why I needed a disc sander when I have several bench grinders.

[chris fresh]

i've got the same 12'' h.f one myself,bought it on sale for 90 bucks three years ago and have used the piss out of the thing,great for the price,have never stalled it with small to medium stuff.would like to find better disc tho than harbor offers.gonna check above post for the ones mentioned

[beartj]

There are HF stores in Fort Wayne and Indy-don't know about West Virginia though. I'm surprised there isn't one in Kokomo.

AFAIK, anything that can be done on a bench grinder can be done on a disc sander. I've been flamed for questioning why I needed a disc sander when I have several bench grinders.

There's one in kokomo, fort wayne and indy (and i've spent too much money in all of them over the years). I'm at school in west virginia now and never leave a 2 sq mile radius (for MONTHS at a time no exaggeration) so I'd like to have it shipped to me. There isn't a HF within 2 hours of me. I may just wait til i'm home over spring break in a couple weeks don't really have time to play with it before then anyway.